MakGeolli Culkin
Rogue Ales

incredibly weird beer, modeled on the korean rice wine drink, i wish i knew that when i had it, they did a poor job of presenting the details at their astoria pub, so i kind of disliked this as a regular hazy ipa, strange esters, textures, and overall character made this seem kind of off to me, but i get it now, learning the inspiration after the fact. never had makgeolli, but it seems sake-like, starchy milky looking rice based beverage. this has flaked rice in it, and also, uniquely, some kettle sour base, which explains the tartness that almost presented to me like bacterial infection in a normal haze when i had it, but it makes sense now, just slightly tangy through most of it, add a little nuance to the ferment overall, the acid makes the hops pop, which to me are still front and center in this with big melon, candied pear, and zested citrus notes all through it, almost phenolic for a flash, especially at temperature, this has sort of a belgian thing going on too, faintly astringent, key lime and lime leaf and lemongrass, a hint of coconut, wheat and rice starchiness in the base, medium body but long flavor trajectory. lemon, hop burn, and light oxidation to close, super strange, elderflower in there too maybe, its at one delicate and abrasive. neat idea, but the real shame for me is at the pub in astoria, like a poorly trained or disinterested staff, a menu with no details about the beer, and this ends up getting lost as something unique, to me it seemed like a way off hazy when i had it because things like the sour aspect, the rice, and the drink that its inspired by were not at all communicated. i hope to get to try this one again now that i am more informed about it, weird but cool...