Cranberry Ginger Fizz Sour
Smuttynose Brewing Company

Pours nicely clear and golden in color, flashing a very brief bubbly head that vanishes. So it looks pretty.

There is not much going on in the aroma department. Faint, earthy ginger and a vague fruitiness.

The flavor is pleasant enough. There's just not a big impact which I would expect from two such assertive components. Bready malt peeks out just a little. The ginger is mild, mainly contributing the earthy tones. The cranberry presents as a slightly acidic and very faintly fruity taste. One thing I know after 40 years in the industry is cranberry flavor and there's just not much there. It's present, but definitely dialed back on a single sip but does build a bit through repeated sips. I can find the cranberry phenolic flavors, a little tannin, and a mild (but quite characteristic and familiar to me) acidity. The right characteristics are present, just not strong, but they do build a bit.

Light, reasonably lively mouthfeel. It is refreshing. A little astringency and ginger bite on the end of the swallow.

All that said, this is not a bad brew. It works as a Berliner weisse, but I was expecting more intensity. I think I should calbrate my expectations here with the intent of this brew. It is pretty clear that this was not intended to be a flavor bomb. I like it more than I probably should, but it isn't one I'd run out to find again. I am beginning to convince myself, as I sip thru the beer, that it is a demonstration of restraint using the flavors in a nuanced manner versus the sledgehammer more is better approach.

 

All I'm getting from this beer is the lactic acid. No cranberry or ginger flavor whatsoever.

 

We bought a 4 pack at The City in Seabrook and poured our 16 oz can into a pint glass from Otter Creek in VT. We're not rule-following beer reviewers; that said, this beer was pleasing and had a delightfully fruity feel. But, it was underfruited if you can wrap your head around that. And the closest this beer has come to ginger is the brewer showing it the sliced ginger that never made it into the vat. We were expecting more from this selection. Good, not at all great.

Pours an effervescent red-hued straw color with a thin layer of head. The nose has sour notes. The flavor is exactly as advertised - tarty cranberry with ginger. As expected, the body is thin.

Can from a Lazy Dog
Brilliantly clear deep gold with a a hint of pink to it and a bubbly white head that quickly dissipates. Bready malt and tart cranberry with a hint of lemony tartness. Not much in the way of ginger. Easy to drink