Woodwinds
Upright Brewing Company

another truly special beer from upright, who without question ranks among my favorite breweries anywhere. this is a blend of wood aged saison types of various maturities but the key is that its done with poplar buds, an element i have never seen in beer before and had my interest and stoke level through the roof. i love the name, the label, and that these guys are doing the little bottles now too. its a lightly hazy orange honey colored with a high fizzing but fast settling white head. the aroma is sharp at first, white wine vinegar, green leaves, old oak, high tannins, lemon peel, and a mix of brett strains, real interesting, minimal on the grain side, and lush and vegetal in a unique way, what the poplar buds do here seems evident right away, almost has a cocktail vibe as much as a beer one to me, wildly dynamic. the flavor is awesome but its tight when its cold, and allowing it to warm up is critical i reckon for the full experience of it. there is more acidity here than is common from these guys, but still fully bretty and woody and well developed, its a neat blend at its core, but for me its all about what the unique ingredient does, and its very much living tree-esque, like still growing, springy that way, green and lush and almost juicy in a plan rather than fruit way, feels healthy and enlivening, a tincture sort of thing about it with a little astringency, bitter but in a cool and original way, and softened just enough by the wheat in the malt base and the wood. so much happening in the fermentation profile too, i love how layered that aspect is. more bubbly than it looks like it is in the glass, medium bodied, sharp and funky both, and overall just a totally one of a kind wild beer that deserves far more attention than it will probably ever get. among the most unique beers i have had so far in 2021! not to be missed.

Had on tap at Special Brews Lynnwood, WA

Thanks, Brian.

Buttery, toasted oak, mild honey, mild fruit loops, boozy, mildly spicy with some sweetness. There's a real woody note here. Full in body with a spicy clove note. Decent.