Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Can beer and wine ever get along?
Ponder these burning beverages questions when you pour out a pint of the newly released Original Copy, the recent mash-up between Sagaponack’s Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Three’s Brewing in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
There was quite a bit of nuanced thought that went into Original Copy’s creation, where the choices to complement and mirror aspects of Wölffer’s famed Summer in a Bottle are many.
The beer is a saison-style brew that employs Nelson Sauvin hops. Developed in New Zealand, this particular version of the flowering plant so important in beer production is known for imparting vinous-like qualities — in particular, those of sauvignon blanc, for which those crafty Kiwi’s have become known — as well as little extra bittering to a brew’s flavor profile.
After a month-long fermentation, portion of the beer were divided between both used Wölffer red wine barrels to which was added a smattering of red grapes from Wölffer’s estate vineyard, as well as stainless steel tanks, where each batch sat for up to three months.
Both producers have been willing partners in past collaborations. Last year, Wölffer patterned with Great Jones Distilling, releasing a wine barrel-aged bourbon from the Manhattan-based craft distillery. Threes Brewing has partnered up with myriad breweries to create interesting, one-off projects as well, but for both it’s their first toe-dip into melding the worlds of beer and wine.
Released just in time for a month Oktoberfest fun, the collaboration resulted in a brew that’s a sunset golden-orange hue with a hint of salmon-pink. The influence of both that hop choice and grapes is subtle but clear in its bright, tart presence on your palate, with a hint of fruitiness and flavors of water chestnut, bergamot and tangerine.
Does that sound weird to you? It’s not — it’s pretty delicious, super refreshing and just right for the warm, sunny days of high-autumn.
Original Copy is $17 for a four pack and can be purchased locally at Wölffer’s tasting room located at 139 Sagg Road in Sagaponack, open Monday – Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
