Almanac Truthful Statement 12.7OZ

Almanac Truthful Statement 12.7OZ is a 9% ABV American wild ale from Almanac Beer Co. in a 12.7 oz (375ml) bottle, blending barrel-aged imperial stout with sour culture fermentation. This limited, no-longer-produced release carries a strong 4.0 out of 5.0 rating on Untappd across more than 5,500 reviews, reflecting its standing among barrel-aged sour enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  Origin: Alameda, California  |  Style: American Wild Ale (Barrel-Aged Sour Imperial Stout)  |  Brewery: Almanac Beer Co.

Production & Heritage

Almanac Beer Co., based in Alameda, California, built its reputation around farm-to-barrel brewing that highlights seasonal ingredients and wild fermentation. Truthful Statement begins as an imperial stout fermented with the brewery's house sour culture, then aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels alongside sweet Bing cherries and freshly zested oranges. The concept draws direct inspiration from the classic Old Fashioned cocktail — bourbon, citrus, and fruit — translated into a complex sour ale that bridges beer and cocktail traditions. This was a limited, one-time release, making remaining bottles increasingly scarce.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich dark malt and sour cherries lead, followed by layers of bourbon-soaked oak, dates, and raisins. Subtle dark chocolate undertones and a whisper of citrus zest emerge as the beer warms.

Taste: The entry is smooth and bourbon-forward, with buttery oak and vanilla giving way to a pronounced Bing cherry tartness at mid-palate. Dark chocolate malt, dates, and light wine-like qualities develop alongside orange citrus notes, while a measured sourness balances the imperial stout's weight. The interplay between rich base beer sweetness and lactic acidity creates remarkable depth.

Finish: Moderately long, with dry woody oak, roasty bitterness, and a final sour cherry tang reminiscent of tart candy. The bourbon barrel character lingers alongside an earthy, slightly astringent close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Truthful Statement

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at 45–50°F to let the bourbon barrel aromatics open fully; this beer rewards slow, contemplative sipping as it warms and evolves in the glass. While cocktail-inspired, it stands best on its own. That said, its Old Fashioned DNA makes it a natural candidate for a beer float with vanilla bean ice cream, a Michelada variation using its inherent citrus and tartness, or as a creative substitute in a Black Velvet–style blend with a dry sparkling wine to play up its effervescence and dark fruit character.

Best For

• Collectors seeking discontinued, limited-release barrel-aged sour ales
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates cocktail-inspired brewing
• Pairing alongside a curated dessert course at a tasting dinner
• Sharing with friends during a vertical or horizontal barrel-aged beer tasting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Truthful Statement taste like? Truthful Statement delivers smooth bourbon and buttery oak up front, transitioning into tart Bing cherry, dark chocolate malt, and orange citrus, with a balanced sourness that keeps the rich imperial stout base from becoming heavy. It has been described by reviewers as an amazing blend of sour stout and bourbon barrel stout flavors.

How does Truthful Statement compare to other barrel-aged sour stouts? Most barrel-aged sour stouts rely on a single fruit addition or straightforward wild fermentation, while Truthful Statement combines Bing cherries and fresh orange zest with Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrel aging to specifically mimic an Old Fashioned cocktail profile. This cocktail-inspired layering of ingredients gives it a more complex citrus-fruit-bourbon interplay than typical entries in the style.

Is Truthful Statement good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 9% ABV, layered barrel character, and evolving sour-to-sweet balance make it ideal for slow sipping from a snifter, much like a fine digestif. Allowing it to warm slightly in the glass reveals additional bourbon and fruit complexity.

Where is Truthful Statement made? Truthful Statement was brewed by Almanac Beer Co. in Alameda, California, a brewery known for its farm-to-barrel philosophy and use of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients in wild and sour fermentation programs.

What foods pair well with Truthful Statement? Dark chocolate truffles highlight the beer's cocoa and cherry notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère stands up to its barrel tannins and acidity. Duck confit with a cherry reduction mirrors the fruit and richness in the glass. Crème brûlée echoes the vanilla and bourbon character. A charcuterie board with dried figs and dates complements its dark fruit complexity.

What sizes does Truthful Statement come in? Truthful Statement was released in 12.7 oz (375ml) bottles, which is the standard format for many limited-release barrel-aged and sour ales.

Is Truthful Statement worth the price? Truthful Statement positions as a premium, limited-release barrel-aged sour ale, and its discontinued status has made remaining bottles even more sought after. For collectors and fans of the style, its unique Old Fashioned-inspired recipe and strong community ratings support its value at the upper end of the craft beer spectrum.

Why Truthful Statement?

What separates Truthful Statement from the broader world of barrel-aged sour stouts is its deliberate, cocktail-driven recipe architecture — Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels, Bing cherries, and fresh orange zest assembled to evoke the Old Fashioned in beer form. With over 5,500 Untappd ratings averaging 4.0 out of 5.0, drinkers have consistently validated the balance Almanac achieved between rich imperial stout weight and sharp sour acidity. As a discontinued, limited-production release from a respected California wild ale program, each remaining bottle represents a snapshot of Almanac Beer Co.'s ambition to blur the line between craft beer and the cocktail bar. For anyone who values singular, unrepeatable brewing experiments, this is one of the more compelling examples of the style.