Ducato Nuova Mattina

Top Tastings 2008. A shorter version first appeared on facebook, January 2009.

ABV: 5.8%
Origin: Roncole Verdi, Emili-Romagna, Italy
Website: www.birrificiodelducato.com

Birrificio del Ducato Nuova Mattina (New Morning)

I first encountered this unusual saison-style Italian craft brew, “dry herbed” with ginger, green and red pepper, coriander and chamomile, on draught at the Pigs Ear beer festival. Jon, barman at the imported beer bar, and myself agreed that “New Morning”, as it is sometimes labelled, was weird but notable. I noted a hazy blond ale with a thick white head and a twiggy sourish perfumed spice aroma. A fruity pineapple, grapefruit, rose and strawberry palate had a stab of sourness that could have been unintentional but would work well as a nod to Orval. Alcohol was evident on a chewy, subtly spiced, estery and notably long finish, with late varnish notes. It was remarkable enough to make my top tastings of the year.

A bottled version tried several months later at a Ducato tasting at the Rake had a striking spicy aroma that was sweetish and alluring. A peppery palate had complex but not overbearing spices, with a clear ginger note and a touch of not-unpleasant deterget. A lingering bitter and spicy finish is reminiscent of Indian paan but with plenty of decent blond malt beneath.

I’ve been very impressed by Ducato beers overall; I still can’t quite make up my mind about this one but the beer world would be worse off without it.

Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/birrificio-del-ducato-nuova-mattina-new-morning/76706/