Bump N' Rind
Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

 

part of the live barrel series at the barrel house, this was a real interesting beer. everyone always put watermelon into wheat beers, hefeweizens, and kolsch styles. one of the first i have seen in a sour beer, and the result is remarkable. its really juicy like watermelon, very authentic, but it does have the bitter sort of pithy aspect of the rind going on too, which with the heavy oaky sourness, produces a very unique sensation on the palate. bitter and sour at the same time right off the first sip, almost throws the head back, this is really sour. there is a botanical sort of property about it, almost like gin or something. heavy pulpy watermelon flesh comes on a bit later, juicy and summery but never getting a chance to be sweet, because the heavy lactic acid cuts right in. notes of lemon and oak on the finish, really puckery. a little thinner than some of the other ones in terms of body, and lesser carbonation, but thats likely a result of just pulling it right off the barrel. what a clever beer, perfect for summer, but sour enough that the drinkability is a bit limited. fun stuff!