Reviewed: Dovetail Brewery Vignette 2020
From Dovetail Brewery: In 2018 we released a 2-year (16-17) blend (Petite Gueuze), in 2019 we released a 3-year (16-18) blend (Vignette), and this year we are released our 4-year (16-19) blend (Vignette 2020). Expect notes of tropical fruit, Chardonnay, oak, orange peel, honey, vanilla.
Dovetail Brewery – Dovetail Vignette 2020 – Served in 5 oz Cantillon taster chalice. 6.5% abv.
On the hunt for my next great glass of lager, a trip to Chicago meant a stop at Dovetail Brewing. The beer nerds have declared this place a must-visit for their repertoire of traditional lager styles. Perusing their menu, I noticed a collection of barrel-aged wild ales. I purchased some bottles to enjoy at home, and one of them was Vignette.
Appearance: Nearly crystal clear golden color, with poor head retention. Carbonation seems on the lighter end.
Aroma: Complex blend of lemon, oak, pear, bubblegum, black tea, and rose pedals. It is fascinating to me how much fruit aroma can get packed into a beer that never saw any!
Flavor: Initial bite of the acid and oak, but fades quickly into an amazing blend of vanilla and citrus. Not too funky, but the classic smoky spice, hay, and general barnyard notes are there. After the sip, my palate lingers on the citrus and oak tannin. There is a touch of solvent character in the background, but not unpleasant in the beer.
Overall: While I came to know this brewery for their lagers, Dovetail is not a slouch in the wild ale game. Blending spontaneously fermented beer is a tough racket, and we are emerging from a bit of a national lull for the style. With all their beers, I can taste the skill and intention of the brewery team.
