Blend of wild ale brewed with tonic water, lime peels, lime zest, Chinchona bark, and juniper berries aged in a gin barrel.
Rivertown Triumvirate
A collaboration between Rivertown Brewing, The Rookwood Restaurant, and Smooth Ambler Spirits. 6.3% ABV
Bottled by Rivertown Brewing Co., LLC – Lockland, OH
by Bill Lau
Posted 5/16/2014
Inspired by the classic gin and tonic cocktail, this offering from Cincinnati’s Rivertown Brewing Company combines a couple of popular brewing trends – sour ale and collaboration brews.
I enjoy a nice sour ale from time to time, and find they can be very refreshing in the warmer weather in particular. I am also a fan of a good gin and tonic; I love the various botanicals providing aroma and flavor to the gin, and savor the bitterness of the quinine in the tonic water. So when I saw this for sale at Rivertown Brewing’s tasting room, it sounded too intriguing to pass up.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance – Brilliant, clear deep golden hue kissed by pale amber. Minimal, short-lived near-white head.
Aroma – Appetizing; tart, a little funky and Belgian in character, with notes of citrus peel, fruity aromatics, and a hint of spices.
Palate – Light-bodied with a very fine, near Champagne-like carbonation. A little thin.
Flavor – Starts with some yeastiness and wild fermentation funk and a nice, tart and sour profile. Becomes more rounded and tangy with a light sweet-tart edge through the middle. Fruity, champagne-like notes. Very wine-like brew. There’s a late bitter, pithy citrus rind note that balances the flavors nicely. Light melange of spices underneath adds complexity. Does bear some passing resemblance to some of the character of a gin and tonic. Complex and very interesting beer.
Food Pairings – Should be great with a salad with lemon parmesan baked salmon or other simply prepared fish.
Rating: Appearance: 4.5/5 Aroma: 8.5/10 Palate: 3.5/5 Flavor: 8/10 Overall: 16.5
In ancient Rome, a Triumvirate was a group of 3 holding power.
A Potable Pastime 