Almanac Elephant Heart 2016
Almanac Elephant Heart 2016 is a 6.5% ABV Brett-fermented farmhouse ale from Almanac Beer Co. of Alameda, California — "Elephant Heart de Brettaville," built around Elephant Heart plums with their ruby-red flesh and berry-like tartness. The beer starts as a Brett-fermented ale, ages in wine barrels on the plums, and is dry-hopped with El Dorado right before packaging — bottled January 2016 and released for Valentine's Day. The pour runs orange-to-pinkish; the palate balances candy-like fruit sweetness and hop character against Brett funk, finishing tart rather than mouth-puckeringly sour. A 375mL bottle. Shop farmhouse ale online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 6.5% (brewery figure — some retailers list 6%)
- Size: 375mL
- Vintage: 2016 — bottled January 2016, released for Valentine's Day
- Style: Brett-fermented specialty saison / farmhouse ale
- Barrels & fruit: Wine-barrel aged with Elephant Heart plums; dry-hopped with El Dorado
- Origin: Almanac Beer Co., Alameda, California
A Valentine's-Day Farmhouse
Almanac's farmhouse series paired Brett-fermented ales with California produce, and Elephant Heart is the Valentine's release: the namesake plums give the beer its rosy pour and berry-driven fruit, while the "de Brettaville" pun winks at the brett-fermented base. Aged in wine barrels, finished with El Dorado hops, it was built for the table — the brewery suggested roasted lamb and Manchego. Browse more Almanac Beer Company beers and the craft beer collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: bright fruit and farmhouse funk. Palate: candy-like sweetness of plum and hops balanced by Brett earthiness — tart, not mouth-puckering sour. Finish: dry, with lingering berry and a whisper of oak. (BeerAdvocate reviews of the 2016 release.)
How to Enjoy
Serve at 50–55°F in a tulip or wine glass. Pair with roasted lamb, Manchego cheese or anything in the Valentine's dinner orbit. A retired 2016 vintage — drink it now, don't cellar it further.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Elephant Heart plums? A plum variety with ruby-red flesh and berry-like tartness — the fruit behind this beer's color and flavor.
Is Elephant Heart sour? Tart, but not hard-sour — it's a Brett farmhouse ale with wine-barrel aging, balanced toward fruit and funk rather than sharp acidity.
What does "de Brettaville" mean? A play on "de Brettanomyces" — the full name "Elephant Heart de Brettaville" nods to the beer’s brett-fermented base.
A rosy, plum-driven farmhouse from the 2016 Valentine's release — buy Almanac Elephant Heart online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.