Pistil Whipped
Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

Appearance: Pours a clear saffron color with a one finger head that leaves spots and squiggles

Smell: The herbal tones of saffron and chamomile blend with acetic elements; oak, vanilla, lemon and stone fruit, as well

Taste: Lemon and stone fruit forward with the saffron burgeoning; the acetic element builds up to the middle when the oak and vanilla kicks in; the chamomile is more subtle and emerges in the tail end, bringing an herbal tea aspect to the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation; a big pucker factor

Mouthfeel: I don't think I have seen saffron used as an adjunct before but it works well; I am a bit less enthusiastic about the chamomile but I have never particularly cared for herbal teas

L: Generic blonde ale.
S: Strawberries and cream.
T: A light start with a strong saffron body and a smooth, light chamomile finish.
F: Light and herby.
O: A unique beer with an unique and enjoyable saffron flavor.

 

a radically innovative sour beer here, as so many of them are from cascade. i was stoked to score this in the little bottle. its done with saffron and chamomile, uncommon ingredients, especially together, the saffron is not subtle either, so cool! the beer pours almost clear but deeply goldenrod to orange in hue, not quite shiny, but the color of the saffron is almost carrot toned in this, a wild visual from the bottle, with just a short head settling in on top. the saffron smells woody and earthy and just a touch sweet, dusty though too, hints of golden raisin and tea, and the orange makes me think of fresh carrot for some reason. the chamomile is subtle comparatively i reckon, but adds a neat bitterness but also herbal thing that really makes the saffron pop. the acidity is lemon forward, more bacterial than funky, but really good, and the whole thing comes together insanely well. i love the obviousness of the saffron, such a cool ingredient to highlight in this way, and i like the white wine and barrel notes behind it, really well layered. i get like a marmalade out of it, quite a bit of sourness, light vanilla from the oak, gooseberry in green stage, and the saffron all the way through it. the name is brilliant and so is the beer. this is a special one from cascade, and the price is super fair. amazing use of difficult and curious ingredients. lovely!