Extra Sort Saltbær
Mikkeller ApS

truly fantastic and wildly unique brew here at the london brewpub, a strong gose base done with black currant and licorice, looks like they have a lower alcohol one too, but this more robust version seems to make perfect sense, as both the added ingredients are rather boldly added, i think the extra strength and assumed body are important for balance of composition. the color is gorgeous, pinking purple from the currants, yes a bit thick looking with some sediment and a short lived head, but the density of the color is striking and it looks radical and attractive just the same. the nose is a little restrained compared with the flavor, but they pull in the same direction. spicy black licorice character first, root beer and black pepper sort of wrapped up in it for me, and then the tangy currants with the pucker of the lactic souring, salty too through the whole thing, especially at the end, maybe a hint of coriander or other toasted spice, but subtle compared with the licorice and the fruit, which sound rightly weird on paper but marry together amazingly well in the beer itself. the licorice is such a cool flavor in here, its sweet and earthy and spicy and sort of permeates the tongue without being too much, and its killer with the salt and the currant tang. some jammy sweetness to the fruit too though, a huckleberry or blackberry thing perhaps, well rounded dark berry complexion. lots of body here, approaching thick, maybe could be cleaned up a little bit overall, but the beer on the whole is challenging, interesting, and delicious. my favorite and my wifes favorite that we had from the london brewpub! incredibly original beer!