Spring Rite
Driftwood Brewery

 

 

 

650 ml bottle of the 2011 vintage poured into a tulip. Considering that I drank it after having been cellared for almost a year, I may have had a different experience than those trying it fresh.

A: Pale gold, bubbly white head of medium size. Minor lacing.

S: Hops and funk.

T: Delicately hopped pale ale with a strong barnyard finish. Major horse blanket and straw notes. Tons of funk and brett.

M: Nice but very abrasive; well carbonated.

O: Surprisingly drinkable - the first sips were off-putting with all that brett and barnyard funk but became very enjoyable as my palate got used to it. For me, it was a very unique beer and certainly one worth trying.

 

 

 

 

650ml bottle poured into tulip 11/9/11

A nearly clear golden copper liquid has bubbles popping up from everywhere that float up to a finger of loose head that quickly falls to a thin film that leaves just a few random patches of lace

S some herbal and citric hops with a little dry cereal, toffee and a little funk

T Brett is a little stronger in the mouth, some tea bag and a little lemon rind I couldn't smell. no booze and just a touch of the brewers sugar to go with all I smell, tasty stuff for sure

M well carbonated and leaves a little slippery layer over my gums, grainy aftertaste lingers, no issues here

O I thought a few months would bring the Brett out a little more but still very tasty stuff

Perhaps its the Lou Pepe Gueuze I had for breakfast but I was hoping for more funk but still loved this beer and would like more of it. thanks EskimoDave for sending this one my way

A: Massive 1 1/2" cream coloured head that left a nice lacing as it dissipated over 3 minutes. Over amber coloured liquid with better than average clarity.

S: Malt and yeast.

T: Tartness, then malt, then yeast.

M: Medium to low level of fine carbonation.

O: Refreshing and malty interpretation of a Belgian Pale Ale.

I have to say this is a big improvement over the first local grain beer from Driftwood. Full flavour and a lovely yeasty citrus note on the nose. The beer tastes a little like Duvel with the slight funk of the Brett on the finish. I assume the Brett will increase with age. Complex and well done and worthy of Driftwood's rep.

a- - fluffy head, murky side of a clear golden colour
s - nice belgian yeast smell
t - subtle funky yeast/brett taste. Perfect for me.
m - a bit too much carbonation but still nice
o - love the subtle belgian style.

Thank you driftwood. You are becoming my favourite BC brewery. In fact you're there.

A: Golden yellow, white head, some retention, great lace.

S: Light grassy spice with plenty of tropical fruit (pineapple, passion fruit, mango).

T: Tropical fruit, biscuity bread, slight mineral, some floral & grassy spicing, solid bitterness.

M: Well-attenuated, moderate body has a crisp finish.

D/O: Another extremely easy drinking brew (considering the weight); well-crafted.

Apparently this one is bottle-conditioned with Brett, so it'll be interesting to see how it develops. Right now it's like a fruitier, more sessionable Duvel... but perhaps it'll become an Orval?

From the label: The second in our local malt series. Inspired by the abbey beers of Belgium, the base malt is an artisan barley that is grown and malted on the Saanich Peninsula (as close to the brewery as we can gent). Finishing with a healthy dose of floral hops and the distinct funk of brettanomyces, Spring Rite will evolve with some aging.

Spring Rite pours a bright, golden orange with a fluffy head that fades. The aroma is funky and fruity, with plenty of yeasty esters and mild phenolics. The tropical fruit aroma is balanced nicely by herbal, floral hops. The flavor is sweet upfront, but some of the sweetness fades. Fruity esters dominate, with some mild phenolic character. The finish is dry and almost tart, with a solid hop bitterness working with the mild brett flavor. Overall this is a delicious beer, I'd be interested to see how the brett flavor evolves as it ages.