Unveiling the Essence of Boulevard Brewing’s Love Child Series
Since its inception in 2011, Boulevard Brewing has embarked on a captivating journey through the art of wild fermentation with its Love Child series. This unique endeavor, rooted in their Smokestack Series, eschews fixed recipes in favor of spectacular, one-of-a-kind releases. Love Child experiments with the very heart of brewing – blending, barrel-aging, and the embrace of wild yeasts like Lactobacillus and Brettanomyces. The inaugural brew, Love Child No. 1, was ambitious, achieving a robust 12.5% ABV within bourbon barrels. Featuring a playful label showcasing the beer’s ‘Funk, Sour, and Fruit’ attributes, this first release promised a dynamic evolution of flavors over time.
From there, the series has matured, evolving into a sophisticated blend of Belgian-style golden ales and Flanders-style red ales. The Love Child series today stands as a testament to rich, lactic tartness and varied flavor profiles crafted by Boulevard’s expert blenders. Rather than being confined by a single recipe, each release is meticulously curated from a selection of aged barrels and foeders. This methodically hands-on approach ensures that the beers grow into complex expressions of the artisanship behind wild brewing.
The Creative Alchemy of Love Child No. 12
Boulevard Brewing is thrilled to announce the arrival of their latest concoction, Love Child No. 12. This release is marked by its experimental nature and a deep exploration into the possibilities of craft brewing. This year’s offering is a carefully measured blend composed of 55% various sour puncheons ranging from golden ales to Flanders red ales, 30% barrel-aged pale ale known for its oaky depth, and 15% barrel-aged barleywine bringing warmth and complexity to the brew. The result is a brew that is as vibrant in character as it is ensnared in the traditions of its forerunners, offering layers and a vivacious spirit unlike anything else.
Love Child No. 12 exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between creativity and craft inherent in the wild fermentation arena. As Brent Cox and his team at Boulevard passionately explain, this series thrives on the chance to blend unique barrels, crafting a harmonious dance of flavors that showcase the wild potential and personality of each unique fermenting vessel.
Crafting Community & Collaboration
If the label has you curious about the origins, here’s the scoop: this special brew has benefited from collaborations beyond Kansas City. With the transition from 750ml to 375ml bottles and production constraints at Boulevard’s facilities, the Love Child bottling now shares its spirit with Firestone Walker’s Californian capabilities. Partnering with this fellow craft brewer ensures that the beloved flavors of Boulevard can be maintained without compromise, resulting in a prime pour for every beer enthusiast’s palate.
This shift in production is akin to baking your famous dessert at a family member’s house, turning necessity into an opportunity for sharing expertise with a supportive network. Boulevard’s collaboration with Firestone Walker represents the craft beer community’s ethos: working together to bring joy in a bottle to its avid followers. And just as an aside, if you’re pairing Love Child No. 12, consider a slice of Vanilla Butter Cake for an unforgettable tasting experience.
Embrace the beauty of wild fermentation and dive into one of Boulevard Brewing’s most creative collections yet. Let BreweriesNearMe.us guide your next brewery adventure and discovery of exceptional local beers.
#CraftBeer #BrewingInnovation #LocalBreweries #SourAles #WildFermentation
