Plum Crazy
Golden City Brewery

Strong, dark and plum sour, the uncharacteristic flavors that are normally associated with dark ale are now piled high on a sour base. Its a perfect foundation for the dark fruit flavors of plum.

Rusty brown and medium in its hue, the hazy ale looks ominously murky before rising with a creamy short froth. Its mysterious scent of heavy toast, chocolate, coffee and pecan tease the nose with savory promises at the same time a winey, cidery fruity scent of dark pitted fruit takes hold. Candied and moderately sweet to the initial taste, the tact of cola bring an unusual malt introduction.

A rise of sourness brings a taste of robust red wines to the middle palate. Infused with obvious plum flavor, other nuances of cherry, blueberry and blackberry shape a darker flavor of fruit to the otherwise green apple, lime and green berry influence of sour ale. Light on bitterness, the malty remnants of toasted barley adds a nutty, mild char for balance and variety while the ale trails into a medley of stale coffee and thin colas.

Medium bodied and perhaps a bit full for sour ale, its near imperial status has the alcohol mimicking strong wines and acetone. Plum Crazy is a complex beer from its highly imaginative recipe conception. Seemingly kettle soured, a beer like this could really benefit from barrel aging and patience.