Foxes are funny little creatures. They do things that to the naked eye seem just outrageous, but there is a method to their madness. I once saw a fox walk right past a rabbit hole like he didn’t even know it was there, when he got out of smelling range of the prey he doubled back and came up down wind of the burrow, waited for the rabbit to emerge, and pounced on it from behind! The rabbit never saw it coming and the fox had his dinner.
They are known for their cunning. There is a disagreement as to the origin of the term “crazy like a fox”, but one thing they can agree on is that foxes are not crazy. In fact they are devilishly sly, and so is Weyerbacher Insanity…
Weyerbacher Insanity isn’t insane at all. As a matter of fact I came away wondering why all brewers don’t make beer this way. Insanity is Weyerbacher’s ale that has been aged in oak barrels. I am guessing from the flavor that the barrels were used wine barrels or new oak that had not been charred.
The pour was intriguing. It was a hazy brown with red hues creeping through the edge of the glass. It had a one finger sort of pinkish colored head that stood for a while before dissipating. Lacing and lots of it was the order of the night for this brew.
The nose was very unique. I could smell the ale as almost an afterthought to the woody and fruity tones that were up front and extremely pleasing to the senses. I had difficulty placing the smell, kinda grapey or raisin like with the oak complexity mixed in.
The flavor was amazing. This is an 11.1% ABV brew and I don’t kid when I say the alcohol was almost unnoticeable. It was so well integrated into the flavor profile that it reminded me of a very sly and tasty barleywine. It was an interesting reaction my palate had. I know it was beer, but my mind said fruit and oak…very wine like.
All in all this was a great beer. I loved its craftiness and its innovative style. But you know Jim sent me this brew and I can’t get it in Idaho. Perhaps a six pack would help me to solidify my opinion of this beer…hear that Jim?
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
On a related note, I saw a fox today on the way to work, a benefit of living in the beautiful New Jersey Highlands. It’s been a while, but this fleet fella crossed the road as I was headed his way.
On another related note, I had a Weyerbacher Insanity the other night and have more in the fridge, another benefit of living where I do.
On a further related note, perhaps Don should tell me what he’ll provide in trade for more of these east coast delights.
I have some North Coast Old Ale, and a lot of other goodies you don’t have. We can talk.
I see a whole Russia / USA spy exchange here. But which one of us has the sexy redheaded spy lady from NYC? Perhaps it’s me with the 16 bottles of Founders Cerise I procured yesterday…
Yes you give me Founders and I give you back pesky squirrel *heavy Russian accent*
I dunno, a hot redhead for a pesky squirrel doesn’t sound like a great trade. Plus, what’s your fox going to eat?
I love this beer. The English styled barley wines are way more up my alley than the big hopped American ones. Of course I love my IPAs hoppy but not my barley wines.
I agree about the barrels. They definitely don’t come across as one that was used with bourbon (like many barrel aged beers). It is just a nice subtle flavor.