De Glazen Toren Canaster Zymatore, Grappa, Whisky & Zinfandel Blend
An overwhelming number of adjectives might be used to describe that barrel aged beer in your snifter. Simple isn’t one of them. Just like that incredibly not simple beer, the process that led to its creation involved a complex series of steps that we can’t merely reduce to filling a barrel, emptying a barrel, re-fermenting and enjoying the finished product. This is especially true for our Zymatore beers, whose complexities arise from the blending of several different barrel variants. It’s a process that is equal parts science and art.
To give you an idea of that process, let us relive a recent field trip to our Zymatore Room, and the time we tasted 11 separate barrels of De Glazen Toren Canaster to come up with both blend and single barrel editions.
The lineup included a myriad of barrels, ranging from Belgian Owl Whisky, wine (Chardonnay and Zinfandel), port/sherry, grappa and Ransom Spirits Pinot Noir/Gin.
To begin, we pull a small sample of each barrel to taste on its own. The barrels run the gamut from huge and vibrant to subtle. There is certainly a place for both types.
We taste only one sample before arriving at Barrel #357: Canaster in Chardonnay barrels with figs from our orchard. It becomes immediately clear that we’re dealing with a standout barrel. Held to the light, the liquid is a deep amber/brown with red highlights. Aromas recall dark fruits and caramelized peaches, and the flavor follows suit with beautiful acidity and long oak notes that linger on the palate. This barrel will go on to be a single barrel variant, and it is kegged within the next day.
After the individual samples are tasted and notes have been taken (illustrated succinctly and accurately in the photo to the right), it is time to concoct the blends. The product should both embody the original brew and bring with it new and unique characteristics. Much, much easier said than done. It takes five blends (all consisting of four to five barrels each) to come up with the most unique and satisfying liquid.
The final blend is comprised of four barrels:
#276 – Grappa (filled 3/18/13)
#229 – Belgian Owl Whisky (filled 8/20/12)
#65 – Zinfandel (filled 3/8/13)
#83 – Zinfandel (filled 3/8/13)
This combination encompasses both sour and sweet aromas and flavors. A rich, vinous character prevails throughout, while maintaining a slight citrus tone at the same time. The beer finishes zesty and dry; it lasts long after swallowing.
Finally, the blend is packaged in both kegs and bottles for the enjoyment of all those wise, adventurous souls who seek out Zymatore.