Kiwi
Upland Brewing Company

L: Deep yellow that's a bit darker than the usual blondes.
S: Very sharp kiwi flavor.
T: A strong fizz with a notable kiwi/citrus body.
F: Citrus beer with kiwi.
O: A decent citrus beer with a hint of kiwi.

Had poured from 25.4-oz. corked-and-caged bomber, label stamped bottle date "AUG 2017," into Teku tulip 3.0.

Looks like the golden ale it is, with the fizzing head too soon gone to photograph. The aroma is complex, underlain by deep, abiding melon fruit, punctuated by tart fruit and funk. Drinking is much the same, with opening (mild) carbonation almost covering the melon on its way to the tart and citrusy fruit, then a bit of funk, before a dry but not puckering finish.

 

 

 

 

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled in 7/2018. Pours slightly hazy pale golden yellow color with a 2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with solid retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big juicy/tart/tangy kiwis, strawberry, fruit skin/seeds, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, melon, apricot, red/green apple, white grape/wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with lighter notes of peppercorn, leathery/musty/lacto funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic/spicy yeast, kiwis, wine barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big juicy/tart/tangy kiwis, strawberry, fruit skin/seeds, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, melon, apricot, red/green apple, white grape/wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with lighter notes of peppercorn, leathery/musty/lacto funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tart/sourness, fruit/wine tang, and yeast/oak tannin spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of sour/tart/tangy kiwis, strawberry, fruit skin/seeds, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, melon, apricot, red/green apple, white grape/wine, oak, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, peppercorn, light leather/funk/vinegar, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic/spicy yeast, kiwis, wine barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with an awesome malt/tart/sourness, fruit/wine tang, and yeast/oak spiciness balance; with no puckering flavors after the finish. Moderate increasing dryness from lingering tart/sourness, tangy fruit, and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, grainy, acidic, tangy, tannic balanced mouthfeel that is fantastic. Minimal warming alcohol for 7%. Overall this is a fantastic fruited sour/wild ale! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic/spicy yeast, kiwis, wine barrels, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and easy to drink with the moderately acidic/tangy/tannic/drying finish, not overly lactic. Amazing balance of juicy kiwis and well rounded Brett/Bacteria complexity; with great wine barrel presence, and a nice pale/wheat malt backbone against acidity. A highly enjoyable offering, and amazing style example as expected.

 

 

 

This one pours a mostly clear light orange color, with a very small head, and no lacing.

This smells bracingly and astonishingly sour, with ripe and ultra tart kiwi, lemon juice, oak and white wine.

This hardly tastes like actual lambic, as it's just way too sour to really considered lambic. It still tastes good, though, but it's certainly enamel-melting. There's lots of Kiwi flavor, too, which does cut the sourness, it's a bit juicy and tastes great. There's lots of pure lemon juice flavor, and a hint of oak, too.

This is light bodied, crisp, with a highly intense lingering acidity after each sip.

This is like a wild sledgehammer to the mouth. It contains no subtlety, whatsoever, but it's still a fun beer to try.

 

 

 

Bottled 6 December 2010. Beer was not balanced, no evidence of kiwi fruit in taste, and had a strong vinegar taste. Poured with head that quickly dissipated.