Lobethal/Brewboys Quince Ale
Lobethal Bierhaus

Tried@Local Taphouse Sydney for the GABS. Transcribed from tasting notes. 60mL taster so briefer than I'd like.

Cloudy cider-like appearance, rough off-white head. Robust enough.

Floral spice, white pepper, cut grass, marjoram and, yeah, quince is definitely noticeable. Like it a lot.

Wet herbs and quince plus some strong musk stick flavours - can't decide whether that's something I dig or detest but it's definitely distinctive.

Modestly bitter and nicely cleansing finish.

I was quite happy with this. The quince complements the style rather than turning the product into a novelty beer.

On-tap at the Local Taphouse in Sydney as part of the GABS festival.

Pours a hazy, bronzed amber colour. Head is filmy with some crackling bubbles on the edge. Lacing is good, and the body looks solid. Decent, if not exciting.

Nose is light with acidic sweetness, but more of a malt-grain base. Some freshness, and a light artificial note of paint and plasterboard, like the inside of a construction side. Quite nice, although not what I expected.

Taste is rather grainy, with a bit of plasticky character. Some mild fruit, but it sits weirdly as the bases of the beer. Almost like the malt characters are the flavouring for the fruit base. Nutty grain and light organics on the back, with a slightly aspirin finish. Fruit doesn't really add a lot of sweetness, just a touch of flavour.

Feel is prickly, although the plasticky character makes it seem fuller than it is.

An interesting enough brew. It was not a highlight of the festival for me, but it was decent enough.

Pours a dark-ish cedar colour, slight pink tinge. Head is cream-coloured and retaining a thin crown, with wonderful lacing left behind. Slight haze in the glass. A bit dark for a pale ale, but the fruit influence is evident.

Smells sweet and fruity with a good belt of quince and a slight unwelcome musty note at the back; a touch of damp basement to it. It just hides at the back, though, of an otherwise quite pleasant fruity aroma.

Good fruit on the front, and it continues throughout. Quince notes come through early, slightly bitter but a good fresh edge, and it continues to the mid where it's joined by some cake-battery-esque malt, and a touch of freshly milled grain as well. Slight buttery note towards the edge and a dry finish with some fruit rind bitterness. Nutty, on the back, as well, really quite strongly.

A bit thin on the body and quite dry. Not bad though, suits the style and the slightly bitter palate.

Could throw back quite a few of these. A decent beer, I quite like it but the quince isn't doing a great deal here. It was utilised better by Bridge Road in their Saison de Coing.