Score: 91/100 – Outstanding
Appearance 4/6
The beer pours a clear deep gold with very little, thin, white head. Poor foam retention. Nice colour and clarity.
Aroma 22/24
Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is perfumy, funky, and quite elegant.
Notable farmyard funk and fruity tones pair well with barrel and mild supportive malt character. It’s hard to say if there are hops in there but the earthiness is making me think of them. A tiny bit of alcohol with no apparent off-notes. Great nose!
Flavour 38/40
Strong intensity with sharp balance and moderate perceived bitterness.
Quite a bit of mixed acidity – between lactic and acetic (that I can tell), but without going overboard. Vivid barrel character and farmyard funk along with fruity esters and mild pale malt. A splash of alcohol and no off-flavours. Excellent.
Mouthfeel 9/10
Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is slightly puckering and fizzy with restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. A trace of astringency with no actual harshness on the palate.
Overall 18/20
Another fantastic beer from Albion. In less than two years, they’ve become one of my favourite Canadian breweries.
Alfheim is an outstanding sour beer with a beautiful sense of restraint. I could finish a whole bottle on my own and not feel overwhelmed. Superb balance, good drinkability, and a touch of intrigue make this a beer worth seeking out. Highly recommended.
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 