Free Spirit (2016)
Terrapin Beer Company

Terrapin Beer Company "Free Spirit"
1 Pint, 6 fl. oz. brown glass bottle without production codes or freshness dating
$10.99 @ Wegmans, King of Prussia, PA

Notes via stream of consciousness: So what is this? A dry-hopped tart saison... that sounds good. It's poured a very hazy amber-orange body beneath a short head of off-white foam. A limited head and lacing is generally common in sour beers so I'll accept it as it is - the head has already dropped and there's not a whole lot of lace left behind where the head once was. The aroma is earthy, woody, wheaty, fruity (bruised apple, soft apricot), and spicy. It's an interesting aroma. It reminds me of an orchard in rainy fall weather, but I should also point out that it doesn't seem like there's Brettanomyces in play here, although there could be at low levels. The flavor brings out more of the fruitiness, both the apricot and the bruised apple, as well as some orange, white grape, and light fig. It's tangy but not too tart, and not what I'd call sour. There's a malty sweetness to it which helps to balance that. It's slightly honeyish, and again, wheaty. It's interesting, and almost seems oak aged to me. The woodiness I mentioned in the aroma isn't like a forest woodiness, but like wet wood. It has a lot going for it, and at the same time it just falls short of becoming great. It's OK but I could take it or leave it. A median bitterness of about 25-30 IBUs balances it, and it finishes dry with the fruit fading fast, the tartness lingering just a second or so longer, and the earthiness, woodiness, and subtle spiciness sticking around for a bit longer but mildly. How strong is this? Hmmm, the label doesn't list it. I see it listed elsewhere as 6.7% which seems about right. Had it been lighter I might suggest that it would probably be pretty fairly historical correct. So what have I missed? Mouthfeel? It's medium-light in body and gently crisp and smooth. Overall it's a decent, enjoyable glass of ale. Hell, I'm going to drink the whole bottle. I'm not sure I'd want another beyond that pint and almost a half though. Still, I'd say it's worth trying.
Review# 6,377

"We encourage you to dabble in this collaboration ale brewed by Terrapin and Coppertail in loving memory of Brittney Fox Watts, a supporter of all things natural, sustainable and local and an explorer of the craft beer communities of Athens, Tampa and anywhere she could travel. In true Free Spirited fashion, this sour farmhouse memorial ale celebrates her passion for anything unique, fresh, creative, and maybe a little bit crazed. This Free Spirit has a big heart, beautiful soul and wild side." Brewed in the style of a Saison ale, dry hopped and soured. Available in 22 oz. bottles and on limited draft. Part of a rotating saison series in tribute to Brittney Fox Watts, with rotating ingredients and collaborating breweries,

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a tulip glass.

(Appearance) Pours a crisp, foamy ecru white over a medium hazy amber body with lively, ambitious carbonation. Retention is average and lacing is light and spotty. 3.75

(Smell) Fruity, lightly sweet saison yeast aroma, with characters of peach skins, white grape must and pear, a moderate acidity and a reserved earthy and peppery spiciness for a saison. Malt aromas are pale by comparison and there is light hop bitterness with gentle citrus hop aromas. Potency is moderate. 4

(Taste) The flavor follows closely to the aroma, with even more quenching juice character, variety of pear and grape juice and apple cider notes, a light effervescence of spiciness and a high cleanliness. Malt profile is simple and clean with pale malt and lightly toasted crystal malt syrup body. Finish is on an unusual level for my average saison, residual, crisp fruit juiciness with a moderate acidity tanginess and considerably less peppery spice than usual, but enjoyable and flavorful. 4

(Mouthfeel) Texture is smooth, silky, lightly residual, moderately dry. Carbonation is medium, generating a mild frothiness and a moderately crisp finish. Body is medium for the style, light/medium overall. Balance is slightly tangy acidic and hoppy bitter over sweet. Alcohol presence is light and there are no off characters. 3.5

(Overall) The Free Spirit Saison series is an increasingly elusive small batch series with small but appreciated adjustments made each go-around. Although Terrapin has always brewed this beer in collaboration with another brewery, this is the first example of this beer brewed in collaboration with Coppertail, which doesn't seem to distribute to my state. I found this entry an enjoyable saison, with more fruit emphasis and lesser earthy, spicy or phenolic characteristics, to the benefit of the beer's overall impressions. The "tanginess" was somewhat reserved, and gently prodded the complexity of the fruitiness to a somewhat wider range, although it walks the line between standard and soured farmhouse ales. Overall, I'd keep an eye out for more entries in this series, as they are usually more enjoyable than not. Always good news for a tribute beer! 3.75

Terrapin Beer Company's
Free Spirit No. 4: Sour Farmhouse Ale
3.89/5.00

Bright and beautiful, the taste that rises from the Terrapin and Coppertail breweries is one radiant taste that shadows the taste for which the beer commemorates. Sour, spicy, grainy and spicy, the saison has a gentle fruit and spice display but its soul is on of spunk and sass.

Free Spirit's foggy golden hue is blanketed with a creamy swath of sea foam. With impressions of tart green apple and white wine rolling onto the nose, the taste hits the tongue with brisk wheat, pilsner breadiness and a rounded but mild taste of fresh baking whole wheat bread.

As the ale embarks upon the middle of the tonuge, the fruit and spice medley enlivens the tastebuds with apple, orange, lemon, lime and sour white grape. A balance of coriander, white pepper and clove balance the fruit and slim sweetness before the acidity of the beer cleans up the taste with sour crabapple and dry white wine.

Medium light on the finish, the beer's wheaten undercurrent ensures a malty support for fruit, spice and acidity while never interfering with the beer's sour focus. Finishing with a brisk salinity and a gentle waft of the sea, a hay-like hoppiness sheds a brassy bitterness that simmers just underneath the surface of sourness.