Steamworks x Blasted Church – Purgatory Barrel-Aged Brett Saison

Steamworks x Blasted Church – Purgatory Barrel-Aged Brett Saison Review

Purgatory is Steamworks’ follow-on to their 2018 Blasted Church collab Sanctuary. It was created by aging the grape must-infused beer for months in barrels with Brettanomyces and then bottle conditioning with white wine yeast.

As a bottle conditioned beer, it’s unfiltered, with substantial lees (yeasty muck) at bottom of bottle (that’s a good thing)! The clear part of the liquid is light gold with a moderate head that leaves a light lacing in your glass.

This brew has a beautiful white wine aroma, thanks to the wine yeast. There are notes of grapes, grape peel, pear and funk (from the Brett).

On the palate it’s dry, yet still juicy. It’s tart, and although not astringent or puckering, it’s definitely vinous. It has substantial body/mouthfeel; it’s not a thin beer.

The flavour is also tart, with notes of pear, peaches, and alcoholic pepper.

So is it good? You bet it is!  It’s not a crushable beer, but then it shouldn’t be guzzled. Purgatory is a fabulous beer that any BC craft fan should seek out. Way to go Steamworks!