#312: Anchorage Brewing » Whiteout Wit (Witbier)

Anchorage Brewing » Whiteout Wit (Witbier) | ABV: 6.5%

It's next to impossible for me to pass on buying a bottle of Anchorage Brewing beer. In Vermont, I bought one of each release in stock. On my first Let'sPour transaction, I grabbed two of everything. But, back in December in Philly, I painfully passed on picking up a bottle of Whiteout Wit, instead opting for Black Butte XXVI, Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad, and a slew of other non-NYS distributing release, while attempting to stay in budget for the weekend amongst PA's towering craft beer bottle prices.

Amazing enough, upon the return home, there's Whiteout Wit staring back at me at Fingerlakes Beverage. Transaction complete.

Never ones for a simple recipe, this Anchorage witbier is brewed with lemon peel, black peppercorns and coriander, then fermented and aged in French Oak Foudres with wit yeast and Brettanomyces. It's is elegantly paced, with a definitively bright champagne-like nose, threaded with lemon zest, mild Brett funk, and subtle pepper spice aromas.

Onto the palate, it's quite clean, again presenting champagne-like qualities. Dry and zesty flavors dance with minerally and light lemon notes, with a subtly growing funky, tarter underbelly.

Overall, Whiteout Wit a great introduction to Anchorage's line of wild beers and entirely enjoyable. It's not their most adventurous offering, but is a worthwhile clean, light-yet-complex winter offering, just don't overpay.

#304: The Bruery » Atomic Kangarue (Wild Ale)

The Bruery » Collaboration Series: Atomic Kangarue (American Wild Ale) 
ABV: 9.5% | IBUs: 32
This Smog City Brewing collaboration is a Belgian-style golden ale at it's core,  brewed with Semillon and Viognier grapes plus three types of hops, fermented with Brettanomyces Trois as well as The Bruery's house yeast strain, then blended with a sour blonde ale and finally dry-hopped with Amarillo hops. That's a lengthy list to label and in less deft hands than The Bruery, this could be a trainwreck. Instead, it's a blissful and exotic trip for the palate.

A lightly spiced nose starts things off, followed by mildly tart aromas of white grape and a hint of kumquat.

Onto the palate, it's lively carbonated and quite unique. Definitive star fruit flavor is backed by underripe mango and young white peach finish, with a touch of booze heat in the finish. Further through, the Viognier grapes peak through to my delight, as they're one of my favorite varieties for wine. A slow, lingering, tart finish of white wine and white stone fruits elegantly teases until the next sip.

Atomic Kangarue an exotic and extremely palatable brew. It's never over bearing, despite a paragraph of ingredients. The incredible minds at The Bruery have done it once again.

#292: Anchorage Brewing / Jolly Pumpkin » Calabaza Boreal (Wild Ale)

Anchorage Brewing / Jolly Pumpkin » Calabaza Boreal (Wild Ale) | ABV: 7.0% | IBUs: 40
Anchorage has been delivering some of my favorite beers around, so I pick them up as often as I can when traveling. Oddly enough, it looks like they have landed distribution in Upstate NY, so while I picked this particular bottle up in California, it's available locally, for the moment.

Brewed with grapefruit peel & juice and peppercorns, Calabaza Boreal hits the ground running with a godlike nose of oak and lemon candy emitting from a perfectly hazy straw body crowed by a pure white head.

Prickly and juicy, pink grapefruit and lemon zest flavors are plentiful, backed by a full bodied notes of oak. The lively peppercorn spice never reaches overwhelming or "spice beer" levels. There's a touch of booze heat in the back, alongside understated earth & funk.

As with many Anchorage offerings, it's stunningly tart and drinkable with on-going complexity.

#285: Ithaca Beer Co. » Excelsior! Anniversary Seventeen

Excelsior! Anniversary Seventeen (Wheat Double IPA w/ Brettanomyces) | ABV: 8.8% 
Fittingly, as my pre-Big Day In routine included a stop to Ithaca's Taproom, my celebratory beer of choice, following the 13 hour day, is the latest chapter in Ithaca Beer's praiseworthy Excelsior! series, Seventeen - hybrid between a Wheat ale and an India Pale Ale, bottle conditioned with Brettanomyces.

The awaited Seventeen kicks off with a highly purfumed, floral hop nose with notes of lilac & orchid along side soft, pink peppercorn aromas. It's a spicy, warming, and impressive IPA.

Flavors of white & pink peppercorn and soft chili spices real you in, followed by complimentary, smooth blood orange notes. Like a winter warmer of an IPA. Further through, distinct characteristics of orange & lemon zest peak through, backed by the brightness of the young Brett, which itself yields earthier tones late in the glass. It's complex all the way through, finishing elegantly dry.

A delightful, inspired brew that should get nice & funky with time.

#279: Perennial Artisan Ales » Aria & Saison De Lis

After a lovely wedding of one of my earliest Ithaca friends and few hours destroying my fear of rollercoasters at Darien Lake, my partner and I made our way to the fantastic Blue Monk in Buffalo. This, my second time at the Belgian-inspired gastropub, I had far more time and flexibility than the first while I was on tour.

When I'd checked out their online menu, which has been updated just two days prior, there were a few Jacks Abby that were must-haves, but alas they were gone. However, I immediately shed my woes at the site of a variety of  Perennial Artisan Ales on the list.

Perennial Artisan Ales » Aria (Belgian-Style Ale w. Brettanomyces Bruxellensis)
ABV: 7.20% | IBU: 20 | Rating: 8.7

My first foray into Perennial kicks in with a fragrant nose of white stone fruits emitting from a hazy, honey-colored body, topped with thick, lacy head.

A sweet, soft flip of funk starts of the gentle palate experience. Lightly carbonated with primarily clean mouthfeel that's just every so slightly augmented with a rustic dryness. Warming flavors of green tea with honey and lemon threaded with mild notes of peach make for a delicate palate pleaser.

This brew is crafted with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, providing soft, earthy and funk notes that give Aria a twist of complexity, but don't yield much sourness or dips into the extreme. A solid first experience from Perennial Artisan Ales.

Perennial Artisan Ales » Saison De Lis (Saison brewed with Chamomile Flowers)
ABV: 5.0% |  Rating: 9.1/10

It's rare that a non-Brett beer will beat a Brett beer as follow up with my palate, but here's that case. This Saison/Farmhouse brewed with Chamomile Flowers is a downright winner.

De Lis' hazy golen body and plentiful, lacy head reals you in, quickly followed by aromatic citrus and floral notes backed by firm yeasty, bready notes.

On to the palate, this is one tasty beer, bursting with flavor. It's mildly tart and plentifully floral, with soft notes of banana bread colliding with boozy esters, despite the low ABV.

Further through the glass, vegetal notes start to creap through the refreshingly crisp tartness & bitterness along with a hint of rosemary and chamomile. A unique, recommended brew.

Another enjoyable bottle share...

Another successful, small gathering bottle share this past week. The Maine Beer King Titus Porter and GRIMM Action Adventure definitely took the cake, while Bell's Third Coast, He'Brew Funky Jewbelation (one of my on-going favorites), and 21st Ammendment's He Said were all solid condenders. He Said is likely my new favorite pumpkin related offering, especially the Baltic Porter, which retains all of it's wonderful traditional notes, but thicker and meatier with the pumpkin addition and no bombastic pumpkin pie spices. 

Here's a quick pick from the call-out ones from September's as well. Bay & Pepper Your Bretts from Against The Grain was world-class phenomenal and the easy winner. It came off spiced, funky, slightly vegital and unique & amazing.

#276: Crooked Stave » St. Bretta (Winter)

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project » St. Bretta Citrus Wildbeer (Winter)
ABV: 6.8% | Rating: 9.5/10

After a successful week of recording, wrapping up the initial legwork of booking for Big Day In and a four evening fest around the Ithaca International Film Fest, I was in the mood for something special. Shortly after grabbing  and uncapping this winter edition of St. Bretta from the beer fridge, it was immediately apparent I'd made the proper selection.

This 100% Brettanomyces wild bursts out of the gate with a fruity, funky nose. Ripe, fresh berries slam with orange, must, and that unmistakable Brett aroma. There's even a hint of green apple.

After several enticing whiffs, my palate is struck by incredible, piercing flavors of tart grape and kumquat. This winter edition is incredibly sparking and bright for a dark beer.

Robust sour cherry and big green apple notes rise further through along with shy notes of lemom and a lively, dry finish. A hands-down, goddamn great beer and a must find for another round.

#273: Bandwagon Brew Pub » Sour Tripel

Bandwagon Brew Pub » Sour Tripel | ABV: ~8% | Rating: 9/10

Early last week, I found my way to REP Studio in Ithaca to record for my upcoming solo split cassette. The studio just so happens to be located above Bandwagon Brew Pub, so after a successful session, I took my engineer, and friend, down for a celebratory draft brew.

To my elation, BWB had yet another short run sour on, this time a Tripel which was brewed as a one-off for Belgium Comes to Cooperstown.

Unfortunately, the usual accompanying picture absolutely did not come out this time around, but this Sour Tripel was a glowing translucent amber with a finger of lacy, fading lacy head.

My palate gleefully enjoyed incredible fruity flavors, firmly threaded with must and Brett dryness in the finish. Throughout the glass, this tripel was incredibly juicy and drinkable with mild spice notes peaking through later on.

Another impressive brew showcasing Bandwagons resurgence thanks to head brewer, Stephen Bareford.

#240: Anchorage Brewing Co » Bitter Monk (Belgian-style DIPA)

Anchorage Brewing Co » Bitter Monk (Belgian-style DIPA)
ABV: 9% | IBUs: 100 | Rating: 9.5/10

I absolutely love Anchorage Brewing. Their brews consistently make my favorite beer. I picked up several while in VT (no NY distro...) and have been letting that wild yeast do it's thing. This DIPA in particular is at least 8 months since purchase.

Bitter Monk kicks off with a big, fragrant nose of lychee, Brettanomyces, pineapple, and orange. It's mostly transparent straw-colored body is crowed with a fading, lacy bright white head.

The taste is tart and packed with a puckering funk. Fantastic combinations of flavors at every turn with an arid finish. Champagne and chardonnay (the latter really shines later in the bottle) notes bloom above sweet threads of lychee and white grape. There's a firm hop bitterness in there too that builds with spicy esters that rise in the chest.

A standout, oak-aged, wild DIPA worth seeking out. Recommended.

#238: Allagash Brewing Co » Interlude 2013 (Saison)

Allagash Brewing Co » Interlude 2013 (Saison) | ABV: 9.5% | Rating: 9.2/10
Riding high from the Cantillon, I decided to make another selection from Pig + Fish's reserve menu. For a moment, I mixed up which Allagash I'd pictured in my mine, and thinking for a moment I'd just bought a bottle of beer I have in the fridge back home. Close, turns out I have the 2012. Crisis averted (insert smirk).

This saison is fermented with Belgian farmhouse yeast and a house-Brettanomyces, partially aged in red wine barrels.

Interlude hits the tongue with bright, juicy apricot notes, finishing off with an aridly dry finish. Distinct mild red wine mouthcoat with elegant flavors of pear, crusty bread, and plum.

Overall, Interlude walks softly, offering up complex wine and Am-Belgian hybrid qualities that ever never overbearing and remain tastefully drinkable.

#190: Ithaca Beer Co. » Cranbretty (Sour), Blauser (Porter), Belgian Gold (Golden Ale), Zuul (Imperial Stout), Gozer The Gozerian (Gose)

Ithaca Beer Co. continue to impress, having kicked the doors off with their entirely unique Excelsior! Anniversary Sixteen and a slew of new 5-barrel offerings.

After such a great time at Hopshire, Mel and I figured we'd keep the beer tasting day going and head back down the hill for some great beer, superb hospitality, and a fry flight. Mmm... fries. We also confirmed their next variety 12-pack, Box of Belgians is in the works...

Cranbretty (Sour/Wild) | ABV: 4.9% | Rating: 8.9/10
Aptly named, this brew is fermented with Brettanomyces and cranberries. Initially, I heard some hate on this beer, but I'm all about it and even ordered a half pint after the tasting.

If you see "Cranberries" and think you're ordering a fruit beer, there's the door. Cranbretty kicks off with a sternly tart and mineral nose and a nod of cranberry aroma. Appearance-wise it's a pale, straw yellow with a faint haze and a ring of white head.

Now for the good stuff - this brew is hyper-astringent and for sour fans only. Light body and soft carbonation support bold, puckering flavors of fresh cranberries, green apple, and slightly metalic notes. The finish is arid, but still refreshing like a nice club soda or tonic. A clean, tart, no-nonsense beer.

Blauser (Porter) | ABV: 7.5% | Rating: 8.6/10
Some porters leave me wanting a lot more, but not this bad-boy. Inviting, heavily roasted aromas reel you into this burly porter. Bitter coffee and slight burnt flavors keep pace the whole way through supported by a strong, mid-high carbonation level and a deftly long, earthy coffee finish. A solid, non-blasé Porter.

Highly recommended for porter fans.

Belgian Gold (Golden Ale) | ABV: 10% | Rating: 9.1/10
Ever since White Gold, anything Belgian-style coming out of IB gets my attention and Belgian Gold did not disappoint. It's completely transparent, light-gold color set's the stage for wonderfully smooth and sweet flavors of apricot and butterscotch candy. Soft carbonation effervesces the flavors perfectly, resolving in a smooth, slightly ginger-spice finish. Beautifully warming, sweet Belgian nectar in a glass.

Zuul (Imperial Stout) | ABV: 8.7% | Rating: 9/10
In collaboration with Gimme! Coffee, Zuul is brewed with Java Blawan coffee, cacao and cayenne pepper - keep you moving through the winter months indeed!

Deep coffee and baking chocolate aromas leap from the glass, augmented by pleasant spice heat. Onto the palate, it's straight up chili pepper, right out of the gate. Hot and spicy goodness backed by smooth, deep, dark espresso flavors. Medium bodied and well balanced, but that spice really makes it sizzle. A great, unique warming winter alternative. The spice mellows nicely with food and doesn't wreck your palate either. Well done.

Gozer The Gozerian (Gose) | ABV: 4.2% | Rating: 8.5/10
I'm usually game for any Gose, but incorporate Kaffir lime leaves, mangoes, Goji berries, and Pink Himalayan salt and I'm going to break down your door.

Clear, straw appearance with a slim bit of white head and smooth, salty nose. A deep earthiness hits my palate first, followed by soft notes of lime and mango. Pleasantly tart with a light must and wet hay in the finish breath. No sweetness in this Gose. Further through, soft floral notes, especially rose, appear in the background. Overall, a solid Gose, not quite as rich as I usually like, but highly enjoyable nonetheless.

#170: Victory Brewing Co. » Helios (Belgian-style Farmhouse Ale)

Victory's funky farmhouse...

The Brewery: Victory Brewing Co. (Downington, PA)
The Brew: Helios (Belgian-style Farmhouse Ale)
Availability: Bottles & Draft
ABV: 7.5%%
Rating: 9.0/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? I must have passed by this beer several dozen times. Why? I haven't the slightest. Maybe the old green/yellow/brown label just didn't strike me the right way. Victory has my trust with long-standing staples such as Golden Monkey and Storm King, plus their impeccable draft-only offerings, so again, I have no idea why this never made it to my beer basket.

Last week, I was having a few close friends over, whom I hadn't seen in months, for movies. While shopping for some session brews to share and on my way out, I saw Helios staring back at me from the cold case, rebranded and for just $4.99. I figured if nothing else, it'd be a nice way to ease into the session beers, unknowing the pleasant surprise I was in for.

The Beer? Nice and funky right out of the gate! Golden, pale yellow color with fluffy white head presentation with a complex, Belgian-style nose, prominent in wheat and yeast.

Helios is brewed up with Brettanomyces and a blend of specialty yeasts from the Victory vault, yielding a bustling, wide flavor palate of mild barnyard, basement must, soft red apple, wet hay, grass, smooth citrus, peppercorn, and lemon peel. Way too drinkable at surprising 7.5%, this year-round bomber may have just be come one of my new go-tos.

For a beer I wasn't even planning on blogging, this peaked my interest with it's lovely, smooth, and drinkable funkiness on first sip. Kudos to Victory on the new, eye-catching label too.

#104: The Lost Abbey » Saint's Devotion (Belgian Blonde Ale w/ Brett)

For the love of Brettanomyces...

The Brewery: The Lost Abbey (San Marcos, CA)
The Brew: Saint's Devotion (Belgian Blonde Ale w/ Brett)
Availability: 12.7 mL
ABV: 6.66%
Rating: 8.8/10
Location: Home
Found: Benny's (Chicago)

The Story? I'll jump at any chance to pick up one of The Lost Abbey's Belgian-inspired creations. This one in particular was one from my haul out in Chicago while on tour.

Saint's Devotion is one of the Abbey's small bottle seasonal offerings, specifically a Brett-finished version of their Devotion Ale. Let's dig in.

The Beer? This one is vigorously carbonated! After struggling with the uncaged cork for a second, I found some recompense in a satisfying "pop" and enticing, funky aromas. Voluminous head plumes in the glass even with a patient, soft pour. After sitting for a moment, the carbonation continues to bubble up from the bottom of the glass, while the head stays leggy for some time.

The striking, golden body is quite translucent for a wild yeast beer. That ever-staying head has a tart, dry taste to it with a nose of muted sour notes, crisp yeast, mild orange and a hint of must.

Finally getting around to tasting this beauty, its light at first, then tightening up with a distinct dryness and mild funk. Brettanomyces is up front with cellar must, slight mushroom, and tangy dry sour flavors, but there's a delicate hop balance, providing some citrus and bitter notes, along with elements of straw and grass.

As with most beers from Lost Abbey, Saint's Devotion is a delicate, enjoyable beer. The hoppy blonde is excellent support for the wild and sometimes temperamental Brett.

#076: Deschutes Brewery » The Dissident 2012 (Flanders Oud Bruin)

Praise the beer gods...

(it gets dark outside at night...)

The Brewery: Deschutes Brewery
The Brew: The Dissident 2012 (Flanders Oud Bruin)
Availability: Draft (limited)
ABV: 11.4% | IBUs: 18
Rating: 10/10
Location: The Reservoir (Waterbury, VT)

The Story? After our meal and drinks with our friend Lidia down at Prohibition Pig, we decided to enjoy the beautiful night (the whole trip was clear skies and warm weather) by taking a walk around the neighborhood. We passed by The Reservoir and I recalled someone mentioning the place in one of our earlier beer stops. I recommended we check it out for our final stop before heading out of Waterbury.

Amidst a bustling Saturday night crowd and staff, the gastropub offered great ambiance and a charming environment - the wall of VT license plates was a great touch - with a bottle case that rivals the high-end beer selection of some beverage centers. I was grateful they had a draft beer menu, as the bar was quite crowded at the moment. I was politely given a spot at the bar white deciding, by a couple waiting for their order when my eyes spotted it - The Bruery's Mischief. An easy choice for the last round, but I was soon informed the keg kicked just moments before we arrived... not my luck again. I figured something decent would be going on in it's place, so I asked. Deschutes Brewery's 2012 sour brown ale known as The Dissident.

The Dissident has only been release three times (2008 and 2010 previously) and is Deschutes only wild yeast beer, brewed with Brettanomyces and aged partly in Pinot and Cabernet barrels. This marvelous brew won "The America’s Best Oud Bruin" at the 2013 World Beer Awards. I couldn't believe my luck that this had just been tapped. I ordered my glass of this lauded nectar and we headed out to the deck.

The Beer? Pure sour beer bliss. Deep brown color with hind of ruby in the evening light with a tuft of leggy white head. The taste is beautifully tart and incredibly smooth.

Juicy, sour red fruit flavors dance with mild funk and earth notes augmented by a rich, velvety mouthfeel. Wet and dry at the same time. Aging this sour brown in Pinot and Cabernet is genius. The red-wine influence provides some tannin notes in the nose and taste, while rolling off some of the high level of sweetness typically found in a Flanders.

Distinct sour cherry notes are present deeper through the glass, while the oak notes providing further influence along with a touch of vanilla. All of these complexities bring out the best in each other, equating to a highly drinkable, elegant beer weighing in over 11%.

Highly recommended for any beer enthusiast.

#065: Mikkeller » Invasion Farmhouse IPA

Gypsy brew masters invade Brett heaven...

The Brewery: Mikkeller (Denmark) brewer / Anchorage Brewing Company
The Brew: Invasion Farmhouse IPA
Availability: 750 mL
ABV: 8.0
Rating: 9.4/10
Location: Home

The Story? My mind nearly melted when I heard one of my favorite brewers would be brewing at one of my favorite breweries. Mikkeller's bold adventures with IPAs plus Anchorage Breweries' Brettanomyces expertise. This is either going to be a train wreck or a mind-bender.

The Beer? The eyes spy a finger of fluffy white head and a hazy, unfiltered body - reminiscent of a wheat. Drawing the glad in, there's a brilliantly bright citrus nose, filled with hot hop heat and that unmistakable mild funk of the Brett.

I can't wait... first sip and my palate is already bursting with various sour and funk spectrum notes and a firm taste of musty grapefruit married with mild hop heat. Initially, the brew is wet up front and moderately juicy. The grapefruit and other sour and bitter citrus nose are all fruit, not rind or pith-like. The inaugural glass finishes minerally with distinct, but subtle notes of pine needles.

As I continue through, the complexity of this one really takes off. It's a train to full-blown funk land. Earthy, farmyard elements dance with perfume, maybe lilac; but all is kept in excellent balance through the bold hop fruit and flavors flavors. This one is always on the verge of running off, but kept on course wonderfully. Unrestrained, but focused delivery.

Easy recommendation for any Brett enthusiast and any fan of similarly minded brews from Anchorage, Evil Twin, and Stillwater.

#047: Evil Twin - Femme Fatale Brett (IPA)

Birthday beer on draft...

The Brewery: Evil Twin (København, Denmark)
The Brew: Femme Fatale Brett
Availability: bottles and draft
ABV: 6.0%
Rating: 9/10
Location: Ithaca Coffee Co. (Triphammer)

The Story? My birthday was last weekend and amidst a flurry of shows, rehearsals, a myriad of bands and people coming by, through and sleeping at the house. On my actual birthday, I decided to take a 15 minute break alone and reflect on the last year with a quality drink before things got too crazy. Ithaca Coffee Co.'s Triphammer location has one of the more unique draft selections (while only 12 taps) in town. I'm usually there for a quick drink after work when there's something especially intriguing on tap as I'm rarely in that area during usual evening hours. So, with a day off and 15 minutes to kill and need to be in that area anyways, I figured there'd be something available to wet my whistle.

The Beer? Served on draft with a pinky finger of fluffy white head topping the liquid gold. Anyone venturing in to Coffee Co. will be blessed with James' deft pouring skills. Beautiful aesthetics are followed by a wonderful mouthfeel and incredible citrus hop and brett flavors.

Silky smooth and refreshing. Just enough Brett without overpowering the delicate balance of hops and mild malts while build the backbone of this mildly wild one.

Draft makes quite the difference on this one, having had the bottle version early in the year. Very fresh hop taste on tap. Through the glass a dry funk begins to emerge. An musty complexity, slowly rising amongst the fresh, citrusy hops.

The "brett" tag may leave some looking for an extreme, puckered, or heavily funked ale, but that's not what Evil Twin's aiming for on this one. Firm citrus notes, fresh hop bitterness, with mild sweetness and breadiness; all with a subtle lace of funk woven in. Not for those looking for an "extreme" brew, but for those seeking a unique, quality variation.

#038: The Bruery - Hottenroth (Berliner Weisse)

Summer continues with this classic German style...

The Brewery: The Bruery (Placentia, CA)
The Brew: Hottenroth (Berliner Weisse)
Availability: Draft and bottles (Spring & Summer)
ABV: 3.1%
Rating: 9/10 // IBUs: 2
Location: Home

The Story? After catching a hilarious movie and a beautiful walk around Myers Point on Cayuga Lake, my partner and our friend Kendra popped back to the house for some tasty home-made burritos. Afterward they began work on customizing some old t-shirts. "A good time to review this Hottenroth" I thought to myself...

Hottenroth itself is named after Fred & Sarah Hottenroth, Bruery founded Patrick Rue's grandparents. The low gravity seasonal is brewed with lactobacillus yeast and a hint of Brettanomyces and, unlike many of the other American Berliner Weisse releases, no sweetener is added, sticking to the traditional German tartness.

The Beer? Fluffy, quickly fading head with a champagne-esq nose. The sparkling grape and apple notes on the nose are very inviting.

Much less effervescent than the Festina Peche reviewed earlier this summer. Nice, firm tartness with a bit of wheat. Very clean mouthfeel. Apple, pear, and lemon tastes throughout. A bit acidic with mild dryness.

Not as tart up front as initially expected, considering this one is unsweetened, though that mid-level tartness begins to build, continuing through the bottle. On the second pour, sour grape and lime tastes appear in the head, with more funk in the nose and a wheaty must taste hangs in the background. Solid.

Most interesting, was my friend Kendra (not a beer fan, but a big Kombucha fan and also know to partake in the occasional glass of cider, wine, or champagne) thoroughly enjoyed a small glass of the brew.

Overall, a solid, enjoyable homage of a classic. Likely will become one of my top go-tos for a quality, low-gravity beer with a lot of character. Highly recommended for your friends who "don't like beer".

#034: Anchorage Brewing Co. - Galaxy (White IPA with Brett)

One of my favorite Brett beers...

The Brewery: Anchorage Brew Company
The Brew: Galaxy (White IPA bottled with Brett.)
Availability: Bottles
ABV: 7.0% | 50 IBUs
Rating: 9.5/10
Location: Home

The Story? Back in December, I was lucky enough to be invited to an annual beer tasting home party in Philadelphia through a friend. It was the best home tasting I'd been to by far and must have had $5,000+ in bottles, plus sever excellent home brews. Through many, many jovial conversations about and sharing of beers, I was introduced to Anchorage Brewing Co. - an brewery out of Anchorage, AK which bottles all of their beer with Brettanomyces. After their Galaxy White IPA and Lovebuzz Saison, I was hooked.

Only catch is that they don't distribute to NYS. Major bummer. So, several months of online watching and waiting I snagged two bottles the collection, waiting for the right opportunity to pop one open with friends...

But then, tragedy... one of the bottles exploded during the heat wave while I was on the road. Luckily, bottle #2 was well in tack and my partner and I decided better not wait to test the fates.

The Beer? Voluminous, lively white head which hangs around. Wonderful citrus nose with hints of spice. Cloudy, golden appearance.

On first sip, lively carbonation prickles the tongue. Very clean and dry with a nice bitter hop finish. Very elegant mouthfeel - top choice if you have champagne fan friends who are hesitant venturing into beer.

This beautiful White IPA is brewed with kumquat and peppercorns in addition to the Brett fermentation. The kumquat is very apparent in the bitterness. The Brett brings a dry, transparent nature - not so much on the juicy sour or funky or musty spectrum, but a thinned, rindy tartness. Delicate, but stands firm.

A few mouthfuls in, some more of the funky points of the Brett sneak in. The peppercorn is quite subtle and isn't as spicy as you may expect at first... but second glass in, the peppercorn spikes up and the kumquat becomes more present and robust. By dredge, some sweeter notes come into play.

One of my favorite Brett beers, though not quite as mind-blowing the second time around with all that anticipation, but I will buy this one again and again when I can get my hands on it again.

#016: Logsdon Farmhouse Ales - Seizoen Bretta

Full Sail's first brewer and Wyeast Labs founder Dave Logsdon crafts wonderful organic farmhouse ales...

The Brewery: Logsdon Farmhouse Ales (Hood River, OR)
The Brew: Seizoen Bretta
Availability: Draft and bottles
ABV: 8%
Rating: 9.5/10
Location: Home

The Story? Dave Logsdon has been a name familiar to many within the beer industry for his founding of Wyeast Labs (and consulting work with many breweries) and early work at Full Sail. Now, with those years of yeast experience under his belt, he's formed a new primary venture, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, based out of Oregon, focused on handcrafted, organic, whole-coned hopped ales. This first one on our list is brewed with a special batch of Brettanomyces and bottle conditioned with pear juice for natural carbonation.

The Beer? The wonderfully aromatic nose of sweet citrus and mild funk topped with a lacy head is very welcoming.  The first taste is quite tart, but quickly settles in. Nice, high carbonation. I can already tell this is going to be a great sour farmhouse and it's very refreshing on a hot day like today. Robust kumquat notes and well-balanced must can be tasted throughout with a quick, dry, but sweet citrus rind finish.

A wonderfully unique and recommended ale. The special brett strain and the pear juice add subtle complexities throughout the experience which proudly stand out from other saisons and farmhouse ales. An excellent choice for any experienced pallet looking for new tastes without needing to be subjected to extremes.

#015: New Belgium Lips of Faith Series: Peach Porch Lounger

The final Baltimore Beer stop...

The Brewery: New Belgium
The Brew: Lips of Faith: Peach Porch Lounger
Availability: Draft and bottles (limited)
ABV: 9.4%
Rating: 8.5/10
Location: Leinenkugel's Beer Garden (Baltimore)

The Story? New Belgium is another brewery that unfortunately does not grace us here in NYS. Their ever-growing "Lips of Faith" series of sours taunts me with every news post. Well, that's why we travel, right? To get beer we can get here. This being our final night in Baltimore, I was very pleased to stumble upon this as an option for my pallet.

My first foray into the series is on of their latest - the Peach Porch Lounger. A result of a musical collaboration with G-Love of G-Love and the Special Sauce.

The Beer? This brew is brewed with peach juice, molasses, hominy grits, lemon peel, pale and biscuit malts, and some Brettanomyces and I cannot wait to put it in my mouth.

Fruity, sour nose. Minimal head. Pleasant, juicy peach flavor, but not sweet. Subtle funk and sour notes throughout. I noticed late in that it's listed at 9.4%, which is absurd. Tasted like a 4% or so. Great job hiding that. This is a very unique and accessible beer. Deep and complex, but goes down without thinking. A must try for any sour fan or those curious to enter. The brett effect is quite mild, so calling it a "sour" might be extensive, but the notes are there. The peach balances it all out wonderfully.

High-gravity summer sour saison? Better believe it and better give it a try.