Wild + Foudres + Magic
Brewed back in 2017, Ghost Zapper started as a relatively simple recipe yet evolved through spending over 14 months in one of our Napa Valley red wine foudres. This oak ageing highlights how yeast and bacteria can build layers of complexity and depth, without the need for further blending. Ghost zapper is our second collaboration with Magic Rock Brewing following on from our bretted oat IPA - ‘Men Who Stare At Oats’. This time we bring the Wild and Magic together for something completely different!
This single foudre release has been inoculated with the lees of a beer called Squashed Grape. This beer has been fermented with the local microflora present on the grape skins; giving stunning aromas of ripe stone fruit and a bright vinous acidity balanced by oak and a little brown sugar richness from the malt.
Reviews
BigSniffy
6 years ago
4.5
Again I’ve come back to this it’s a cracking wild/ spontaneous beer. It’s got all the colour and aroma of a classic flandrian ale. There’s a hint of vinegar and yeastiness in the nose (I know pretentious prick) with a raisin and dried grape taste with a great sourness and tang to it. It’s not as viscous or “flat” as say a Rodenbach or Classic Flanders red. It’s got more fizz but that’s not necessarily bad. Well done Magic Rock and Wild Beer Co.
SlimishSkin
6 years ago
3.5
BigSniffy
6 years ago
4.5
Wow. It’s one heck of a beer. Beautiful deep golden amber red beer. Amazing aroma straight from pouring of stone fruits and dry white wine. It’s got a quite a sharp vinegary flavour and is quite dry in the mouth but then ZING! The sourness hits you right in the cheeks. This is definitely an acquired taste but I’m definitely getting into these sour/wild/lambic beers.
ZekeWolf
6 years ago
3.5
Reddish brown Sour Beer. Aged in red wine oak foudres. Sour red berries and vinous acidity on top. Also some familiar tones that took time for me to recognize, then ⚡️ , it’s Worcester sauce. Balsamic vinegar and Worcester sauce aroma in good way. Fizzy mouthfeel.
Sounds weird but not bad. Different for sure.
Markthegasman
@ Mark The Gasman6 years ago
4.0