Zee Germans Are Koming
To Øl

 

really surprised to see this rated by so few folks, given that its an awesome series of beers and that its a notable maker. its also been out for awhile now, but, it is a real expensive bottle at over 20 bucks a go, and i could see that turning people off too. not sure its worth its sticker price, but its awfully unique beer. i expected more of a hefe complexion from this insanely carbonated brew, but the weizen terminology ends up referring more to a traditional belgian wit type as a base style, lightly wheaty and with a yeast spiciness about it, very dry and effervescent at its core, with the wild yeast adding a wonderful layer of mature bretty funk with subtle pear and green apple notes to it, fully complimentary to the base beer, and quite unique even if they stopped at that. the riesling barrels taste sweet to me, like a dessert wine or something, with a slight acidic sharpness and plenty of wood. there is a textural clash here with a beer that wants to sing and dance and be light and playful on the palate, and then this seemingly heavier wine wanting to gum up the works a little bit, make it sugary and richer with the wood, and linger much longer while exposing a little alcohol. the dry hopping is awesome, these hops have soft orange and other citrus notes, but also a distinct white wine profile of their own, an aromatic cross between what to me seems like new zealand hops and more traditional earthy german varietals, a perfect choice for the flavors here. the funky brett is awesome, and the wine flavor from both barrel and hops is strong, bitterness is low, and its less dry by the end, but still superbly carbonated and rather drinkable, even if it sits a little strange in my belly. there is a perfect food pairing for this, but i dont know what it is yet, maybe oysters, maybe porkchops, i dont know. another delicious head scratcher from these guys, if a bit overly spendy.

 

 

On tap at CBC 2016 - day 2. Grapefruit bitterness, kind of dry and sour, some spices. An interesting drink.

 

 

 

Hazy orange color with creamy white head. Aroma has evident brett with some bright fruits and wine notes on the background. Taste starts with yeast, mostly the specific brett notes, dry and slightly acidic with hoppy and bitter finish. Smooth body and carbonation. As usual, To Øl deliver again.

03/29/2016