#282: Wild Beer Co. » Somerset Wild

Wild Beer Co. » Somerset Wild (Sour Pale Ale) ABV: 5.0% | Rating: 8.6

This is my first foray Wild Beer Co.'s strikingly packaged series of brews. I picked up three wild/sour ales from the UK-based crew while in Buffalo, each adding it's own unique flare. This particular, self-described sour pale is spontaneously fermented with the yeasts & bacteria found on the grounds of their Somerset orchard.

The head rises quickly, still in the bottle, stopping just short of making for some unwanted clean-up. Poured up, there's voluminous, but quickly fading white head eagerly bubbling atop a transparent, white-wine like body.

Lively champagne and dry, farmhouse cider notes are out in stride, carrying along a whiff of pale hop bitterness.

The flavors are extraordinarily tart and dry. Not necessarily astringent, instead overtly crisp and clean. Crisp Gala and other tart apple flavors quickly dance with green grape and soft lemon notes.

Somerset Wild is highly acidic throughout and looses carbonation relatively quickly. On the second glass, it's a touch sweeter with a hint of earthy tones, but still clean with just the slightest mouthcoat.

Overall, an interesting brew. Not the most notable wild, but well-executed. I can't say I've stumbled across many English spontaneously fermented brews from an orchard, so points for creativity. Recommended for any fans for Dogfish's hybrds, dry farmhouse ciders, or aridly dry white wine drinkers.