We always get excited when breweries and wineries collaborate, but get even more excited when the parties in question happen to be two of our favourites! Encontro started it’s life as a blend of old 14 month saison that had been matured in hogshead with young 3 month old saison that had been fermented in puncheon. The beer was then racked on top of shiraz grapes from Minim that had undergone carbonic maceration at a rate of 300g per litre and left to macerate for 4 months. The resulting brew is easily one of the best beers i’ve drunk in the last 12 months and seems to more closely resemble a fine Beaujolais wine than a beer. Delicate fruit character reminiscent of blackcurrants, plum and montmorency cherries plays off a herbaceous spice character of tomato leaf and leather. A delicate acidity keeps the beer in balance and a grippy palate weight lends the beer depth and complexity.