The ninth bottling in our Love Child series of blended sour ales is composed primarily of a blend of Belgian-style Golden Ale, Flanders-style Red Ale and a touch of fruited sour ales aged in previously used wine barrels. The very first release of a Love Child blend was 100% soured Bourbon Barrel Quad, but each subsequent batch has included an increasing amount of Flanders-style red. For that reason, the strength has been steadily declining from the 12.5 ABV of Love Child No. 1 to more recent releases in the 8-9.5% range.

Following primary fermentation in stainless steel tanks with our house Belgian yeast strain, the component batches of beer were aged in a variety of previously used barrels with lactobacillus and brettanomyces. Following aging, samples were pulled from like lots and blended during a tasting session attended by brewers and members of our quality assurance team. With each release of a Love Child blend, it’s not our intention to reproduce the character of the previous year’s blend, but rather to offer a blend of the very best sour beers we have on hand.

The blend for Love Child No. 9 breaks down as follows:
Belgian-style Golden Ale ’17 aged in previously used wine barrels – 40%
Belgian-style Golden Ale ’16 aged in previously used wine barrels – 5%
Flanders-style Red Ale ’16 aged in previously used wine barrels – 25%
Flanders-style Red Ale ’17 aged in previously used wine barrels – 15%
Belgian-style Golden Ale aged in wine barrels with apricots – 5%
Blend of sour ales aged in barrels with tart cherries – 10%

Flavor Profile
Aroma – Tart cherry, slight earthiness, toasted oak
Malt – Minimal caramel and toffee
Hops – N/A
Balance – Acidity/oak
Body – Light to medium

Characteristics
Alcohol by Volume – 8.4%
Bitterness – 8 IBUs
Color - 30
pH – 3.4

Pairings
Beef Carbonnade, Beemster X.O. & fresh berries with mint leaves, roasted duck with cherry sauce, strawberry rhubarb pie, dark chocolate raspberry cordials

Love Child No. 9 debuts on draft and in 750ml bottles in the Greater Kansas City Area starting on August 27^th with other cities to follow in the coming weeks. Regions that typically see Boulevard Smokestack Series Limited Release beers like Saison Brett, Changeling Dark Sour Ale or Rye on Rye should see distribution of Love Child No. 9. Please note that we do not have access to our distributors’ delivery schedules and will be unable to tell you when Love Child No. 9 is available near you.

- Jeremy Danner, Ambassador Brewer