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750ml

Thanks go out to MasterSki for bringing this one to a tasting yesterday. Beekeeper enters my small snifter a muddy caramel brown with hints at rust and some tiny suspended particulate. The light beige head grows to one finger in height and while falling slowly does show some solid retention. Left behind after each drink is small but sticky lacing.

The cab barrel is upfront in the aroma with strong vinous notes. A plethora of fruitiness comes along next; cherry and red grape being most prominent with a low level of horsey funkiness. There's a little mineral quality in the form of wet rock with soft caramel sweetness and a touch of distilled vinegar.

The flavor has many of the same characteristics but they come together a little more muddled than in the nose. Vinous barrel characters with a light acidity and mild funkiness remain throughout each drink. Dry woodiness shows up here and there with the damp rock mineral qualities that were present in the nose. The finish brings a mild plastic character that throws me off a bit but is light enough to not be too distracting and finishes with a slight sweetness I can't wrap my head around.

The carbonation is fairly airy and when combined with the moderate body makes for a soft feel. A little prickly carbonation bite hits the side of the tongue but is soft through the middle.

This was an all around refreshing, easy drinking beer. The higher abv is very well hidden and makes the glass tough to set down.

Beekeeper was an overall well rounded, tasty American Wild. I think the hype around this brew has gotten the best of me because before going in I honestly expected more. With that said it's a damn fine brew and the best I've had from the fellows over at Bullfrog. Thanks again for bringing this incredibly hard to obtain bottle, Alex!

Reviewed: 8/24/09

Served In: Tulip

Thanks to Jw347 for holding onto this beer for so long until I finally had the beer he wanted to trade for. I took this one to the SeaofFloydster Tasting on March 28th and had it side-by-side with the base beer, Beesting.

*This beer is made up of their Beesting Saison and aged in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for two and a half years with multiple strains of wild yeast.*

Poured a light molasses color with a very thin ring. Better head formation with the 2nd pour. A lot darker than the Beesting that's for sure.

Both in aroma and taste it is a completely different beer that it's base. Acidic nose with tart cherries and apples, very similar to a La Folie. Complex maltiness and brown sugar sweetness combined with the tart berry aroma.

Tart upfront and all the way! Apples and cherry in the middle, acidic with some lemons. Toasted malts and hints of brown sugar. Semi-dry aftertaste that lasted for quite a few moments.

Low carbonation but suits the beer well. It was mentioned by someone at the tasting that this seemed like something in between a Cuvee de Tomme and Supplication.

Served In: Snifter