Brainless Passion
Epic Brewing Company

Pours a bubbly gold color without much of a head. Aroma is sour fruits. Taste is tart fruits. Crisp and dry.

 

 

 

 

I wasn't sure if I would like this Belgian Pale. However, it was a very pleasant taste.

 

 

 

Big time hiss upon opening before pouring a hazy, amber color topped by an inch of vivacious white froth. Funky aroma yields full-on barnyard and horseblanket, with a healthy dose of vinegar to boot. Not catching much passion fruit to be honest... Robust sheets of reticulated lacing adorn the glass as the beer recedes.

The taste features the aforementioned funk and white pepper up front, along with a lactic sourness and a vague fruitiness. Chalky Belgian yeast adds its mojo while mild, crackery malt is mostly trampled by the more overt flavors. Warming reveals notes of grain husk and passion fruit. Medium body and high carbonation afford a smooth, luscious mouthfeel.

Overall, this is a mercurial Belgian-style ale that comes off as much as a saison as anything. The funk and tang are intriguing, though it never quite melds into a cohesive whole. The passion fruit seems more of an afterthought than anything, although that doesn't necessarily detract from the beer in its own right.

This is not your father's BSPA.... but it is interesting, well made and, let's say, a bridge.
In reviewing the reviews, Brainless Passion seems caught in the debate between the Belgian traditionalists (my camp) and the innovators who want to push the boundaries using more Brett and other tarting agents and more hops (the camp of most micros inhabit who are trying to work the American palate with innovation.)

I think Brainless Passion is a good compromise and we will benefit from paying attention to what Epic is doing.

As for Looks, Brainless Passion is entirely average (maybe a decent color, but really average foam and not much protein swirling.) This probably is because of all the fruit loaded into the recipe; but that starts to pay off in the Smells; very fruity, tropical. Tastes introduces tart. While it now dominates the ale, it really is modestly tart and this is the ales strength (aside from the alcohol.) Mouthfeel is more "meh", particularly if you are a traditionalist like me.

I had this bomber as refreshment from a hot day and as accompaniment with a pesto and pasta. Brainless Passion did its job in both situations.

While this is my second from Epic, I give them a quick micro-review now. I like Epic. Two cool guys from California set up shop in Utah and it soon changes its laws allowing strong ales and the two cool guys are Utah's pioneers in this Century. I will be in Salt Lake in a month and I will try to find their shop, but if I don't... well, I'm gratified that they also are pioneers in finding the compromise to the BSDA's adjustment to The World According To Brett.

Served on tap in a 10 oz (296 ml) snifter at Rappourt in The Traver Village shopping center, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
A: Pours a crystal clear, pink gold color with a one finger, white head, at least rim retention and a little lacing.
S: Tangy/tart. Aromas of passion fruit, apple juice, lactate, and very slight organic funk.
T: Sweet to semisweet and slightly tart. The palate basically follows the nose with a subtle caramel noted. Very little bitterness, but not absent as in many sours: more a pepperiness.
M: Light bodied with light to moderate carbonation. A touch watery.
O: This was billed as a sour where I purchased it, not as a Belgian Pale Ale, and does seem more consistent with the former. As such, it was not an overpowering, hazy sour, much more subtle. It certainly seemed way off from a Belgian Pale Ale. Overall subtly sour with a lot of passionfruit. Think of it as a gateway beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look: Brilliant golden color. A bit hazy - nice head. Dissipates quicker than expected. Foam ring and lacing remain.
Smell: Not that much in the aroma category. Some fruit, some funk, and some Belgian yeast.
Taste: Confusing at first. Tastes a bit odd/off, but gets fruity, tart, sweet, then dry. Not as Belgian-y as I had hoped for but this is a very interesting beer. It reminds me of some Meads I have had (and have made) before. There is a bit of a metallic zing and finishes a bit malty and dry. Passion fruit doesn't always work in a beer, but it is pretty good in this one.
Feel: Decent medium feel. Stays fairly carbonated throughout. Some interest on the tongue.
Overall: This was quite a bit different that I expected. I expected more of a Belgian Blonde or Golden Strong. More fruit forward but maybe could have even used a bit more. Ok Belgian yeast flavor. Not ecstatic about this one but it is pretty good and I would definitely buy again. Give it a try!!!