Trinity Brewing Company - Old Growth Wild Ale: Great Beer, Great People, Great Time!

I just got back from Denver, Colorado, where I went to attend The 2010 Great American Beer Festival. I went to the festival with TGBOAT’s own Jason, Dale, the owner of Finnegan’s Irish Pub, and the Head Brewer of Limestone Brewing Company, Ken McMullen. While at the festival we met up with Shannon, one of Dale’s previous employees from Finnegan’s. She took us to the Trinity Brewing Company booth to show off some of the beers from her current employer. She shared a few of their offerings with Dale and Dale in turn shared them with me.  We were very impressed and awestruck by one beer in particular, Old Growth Wild Ale.

We really wanted to check out the brewery first hand, so we spent our last night in Colorado in Colorado Springs, the home of Trinity Brewing Company. Unfortunately, Ken opted out of coming with us, but after about an hour’s drive, the rest of us made it there in the early evening. There was a large selection of house and guest beers on draft and some of their own beer in beautiful wax-covered bottles. The brewery is so laid-back, fun, and inviting.  Kevin, Shannon’s boyfriend, was really easy to get along with and was an absolutely gracious host who never let our glasses run dry.  We were introduced to a plethora of wonderful people who were regulars, friends, and/or part of the staff. First we were introduced to Gordon Barnett, or Gordo as he was called, who is the artist who designed the artwork which adorned the bottles and some of the pieces hanging on the walls. Then we met Alyssa with whom Jason traded the shirt off his back, but that is another story. Alyssa mentioned that her best friend is named Jayne and she was seated across the bar, so I walked over to introduce myself and say hello. Jayne is honestly one of the coolest and friendliest chicks that I have ever met, but I digress, back to the beer.

I asked Kevin if I could again try Old Growth.  He brought back a 750 ml bottle and a couple of snifter glasses for us to share. The bottle says that it is “Aged for long periods of time in oaken barrels. Each bottle is alive with its own personality and may be cellared indefinitely.” There was little to no head and carbonation was very light. As I looked down into my glass it was light brown and transparent. When I looked at the glass from the side it was a very dark brown color with red highlights and it was completely opaque. On the nose there are notes of oak, malt, vinegar, and dark fruit. There is a nice thick and silky mouthfeel. The flavors on the palate drawn from Old Growth are an artist’s portrait of the subtle and the extreme. The flavor components that complement what was found in the aroma are present with a huge sourness.  There is also an oaky wine-like flavor with a bready cake-like presence.

If you are in the mood for an extreme beer with extreme sourness, an accompaniment to seafood, or something to drink while nibbling on your favorite cheese, Old Growth is a perfect choice. I find Old Growth to be one of the most interestingly delicious beers that I have tasted in a while. Great beer accompanied by great people made for a stellar evening/morning that I will not soon, if ever, forget.  As I strolled out in the wee hours and was walking to the car I was already wishing that I had never left.

ABV: 5.5%

Consumed: Snifter

Verdict: Buy a Case