A big identifier of different beer styles is color. But, it shouldn’t be. If anyone glanced at today’s photo and thought “Oh, it’s a Stout or Porter,” they’d be wrong. 

Today’s Cletus is a Dark Farmhouse Ale! 

The brew’s deep brown, almost black hue comes from dark, toasty grains. Yet, distinct barnyard-funk-meets-earthy-fruit Farmhouse flavors abound on each surprisingly effervescent sip. Oxbow Brewing used their house mixed culture (a blend of brewers and wild yeast) to achieve this, also coaxing out citrus rind notes and whispers of dark berry throughout the semi-tart pour. 

Here’s the real kicker — all of these flavors taste like they’re wrapped in a layer of spiced molasses, replete with a boozy warmth that seems to steadily rise as you make your way down the glass. That’s because those Maine brewers aged Cletus in Bourbon Barrels and gave it a 10% ABV!

Dark Farmhouse Ales aren’t common in general, and flavorfully complex renditions like today’s are downright rare. Whether you savor this one right away or cellar it for years to allow its fruit and oak nuances to develop further, Cletus is a special find indeed. 

*Hop Culture raves, “[Oxbow] has established themselves as one of the most highly regarded and well-respected producers [of Farmhouse Ales] not just in the state, but their whole region!”