Crazy Navel
Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

A toast to this classic sour champ in its aftermath. Orange on a good mixed fermentation. Perfectly served at la Jolla public house. Orange cut up proper.

 

 

Large initial foam through the pour that swiftly settles down to a thin surface coating, likewise the lacing starts off as broad sheet that runs off downwards with ease. Full haze to the liquid, deeply resonant copper orange color, opaque throughout. Sourly vinous nose of rose hips, lavender, blood orange citrus, the peach more of a unifying thread than prominent aspect, there are caramel accents now and then but they don’t quite fit into the whole, if it ain’t sour it seems off. In the mouth it’s medium-bodied with a lithe, tight feel which has it move at a rapid clip throughout. Here the barrel qualities dominate with wet toast, toffee to hard caramel candy nuances as well as imbuing it with a greater sense of booziness. Peach, apricot pit with a hint of green apple and lemon. The carbonation shows focus and follow-through and organizes things well. The feeling of a sour pucker lasts much longer than the flavors themselves. Not as complex as might be hoped and tends to fatigue the palate quickly.

 

Draft at Bar G. Nothing too exciting about the pour, but the flavor is top notch. Citrus aroma, orange peel. Bolder citrus in the taste, mild pucker, perfect on a hot summer day.

A: Poured into a tulip to a light and bright orange topped by a fluffy two and a half finger head that fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing.
S: Smells of oak, sourness, barnyard funk, and a little bit of orange aroma.
T: Taste is a nice and bright sourness up front with some bright and juicy orange flavors intermingled with some funy and oak. Real nice balance on the flavor with the oranges coming through on the sweet side to balance out the sour. Swallow is more sourness, light funk, slight pale malt, and lingering orange with the acidity lingering the longest.
M: This beer is on the lighter side of medium in body with effervescent carbonation indicative of bottle conditioning. The acidity makes this beer finish on the dry side of things.
O: Overall this is a fantastic beer with some really nice flavors and complexity from the fruit additions, wild fermentation and aging on oak. Definitely a pleasure to drink and worth a try if you can find it.

-hazy pale amber tap pour has 1cm of foam (early) and a citrus and vinegar nose. The flavors are gentler, orange and lemon with a vinous line and oak notes. The bitterness is moderate. This style is a favorite. Wine-like and wonderful.

 

 

2016- Nice barrel character comes in to complement the orange notes. Enjoyed this one quite a bit (not that I've ever had a bad beer from Cascade). Do your self a favor and have a beer from them when you get the opportunity. Its well worth the price.