Simcoe Flavor Wheel
Almanac Beer Co.

pretty cool idea for a beer here, adding all these curious ingredients to get to a simcoe complexion. im not sure how successful that aspect of it was, if in fact that was the goal, but the beer is absolutely delicious, one of the more complex beers i have had from almanac in ages, and i think simcoe works so well in wild beer. a little more clarity on the draft pour than i anticipated here, brassy colored with a tall airy white head, pretty beer. the aroma is complex, more funky than i am used to from these guys, wood evident, some tartness too, citrus everywhere, the coriander coming through, a gin botanical element, juniper and lime, and of course simcoe, with some juicy grapefruit essence and a resinous woodsy vibe, really mouthwatering, the right amount of sour it seems, and way more nuanced on the fermentation side than a lot of their stuff has been. the flavor is really neat, beets and blueberries seem like an interesting add, but with the spruce and the hops, there is this amazing, northwestern fresh forest vibe, earthy and herbal, a unique but very natural synergy, and these relationships are my favorite part of the beer. the deep soil character of the beet, the light tannic blueberry tang, the drippy simcoe, and the christmas tree character of the pine, so good together! the hops are strong in here but bitterness is low, and the sour and funk have a nice back and forth going on. this is intelligent beer, seemingly a more complex base than a lot of them have had, woody and wild to me, and all the cool ingredients are so well assembled, they can all be appreciated. this is brilliant, i would love to try some of the other beers in the series!

 

 

2017 Draught Thirsty Monk AVL Quite aromatic. A little too much going on here, but very interesting. Citrusy, berry, piney and earthy. Fitting name.

 

 

 

A: Moderately hoppy, with light berries, passion fruit and lemon, coupled with a light oak with a slightly funky and vinous character, with a moderate sourness.

A: Bright orange color, opaque, with a rocky white head that quickly forms a ring around the glass.

T: Moderate hop flavor, followed by light berries, passion fruit, coupled with a slightly funky and lightly vinous, with a moderate sourness through the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Solid; the beer has a great simcoe hop aroma and flavor that is well supported by the berries, and coriander.