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Key Lime Tau (2π)
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Wild Ale
Ranked #581 - ABV:
- 6.28%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #8,952 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 9.14%
- Reviews:
- 35
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 22, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 10, 2015
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 11
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding


Notes:
Key Lime Tau (2π) was brewed in collaboration with Hawkshead Brewery (UK) as part of the Trans-Atlantic Rainbow Project, a series that challenges brewers to come together and brew a beer inspired by a color. In its third year, the 2015 project involved seven UK breweries, each paired with a different American brewery and randomly assigned a color.
Key Lime Tau (7.0% ABV), brewed to embody the color green, is a Mixed Culture Fermentation Ale aged in Oak with Lactose, Fresh Lime Peel and Fresh Lemongrass.
Key Lime Tau (7.0% ABV), brewed to embody the color green, is a Mixed Culture Fermentation Ale aged in Oak with Lactose, Fresh Lime Peel and Fresh Lemongrass.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by nickb2000 from New Hampshire
3.57/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.57/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Imperial Pint
Look: Slightly hazy rust-brown color, pouring near zero head which retained as a slight ring with minimal lacing
Smell: Musty basement yeast, citric acid, lime zest, hint grass and milk funk
Taste: Lightly tart with yeast funk. Leads to Lemongrass, lime zest, oak tannins. Finish has a more oak, hint of malt, hint zest.
Feel: Light-med body, gentle carbonation, semi-crisp finish
Overall: Its okay, good oak and lime representation.
Jan 22, 2023Look: Slightly hazy rust-brown color, pouring near zero head which retained as a slight ring with minimal lacing
Smell: Musty basement yeast, citric acid, lime zest, hint grass and milk funk
Taste: Lightly tart with yeast funk. Leads to Lemongrass, lime zest, oak tannins. Finish has a more oak, hint of malt, hint zest.
Feel: Light-med body, gentle carbonation, semi-crisp finish
Overall: Its okay, good oak and lime representation.
Reviewed by Limazulu from Idaho
3.58/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A-burnt orange, modest head that dissipated quickly
S-grassy and funky. Must be from the yeast
T-acidic tart/sweet. oaky
M-Light (+) body, below average carbonation.
O-wierd. My palete would start to say "this is pretty good", then all of sudden I would catch a wave of vinegar or something.
Aug 23, 2020S-grassy and funky. Must be from the yeast
T-acidic tart/sweet. oaky
M-Light (+) body, below average carbonation.
O-wierd. My palete would start to say "this is pretty good", then all of sudden I would catch a wave of vinegar or something.
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri
3.91/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.91/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Copper colored with a trace of off white around a quarter of the rim. The aroma is of lemongrass and lime. I’m tasting lemongrass and a touch of lime. The mouth is moderately carbonated, but has a nice cooling sensation from the lemongrass.
Jul 29, 2020Reviewed by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
4.65/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
375ml bottle
Pours slightly hazy amber orange copper with a creamy off-white foam head. Smells zesty, lively and invigorating with fresh lemongrass, key lime peel, lemon, some malt, and creamy vanilla-like lactose. Tastes like key lime pie, fresh lemongrass, tart lemon, lime peel, creamy lactose, sweet spice, oak barrel, bready caramelized malts, with floral earthy grassy hops. Feels medium bodied, creamy with smooth moderate carbonation. Overall a real nice key lime pie inspired wild ale.
Apr 14, 2020Pours slightly hazy amber orange copper with a creamy off-white foam head. Smells zesty, lively and invigorating with fresh lemongrass, key lime peel, lemon, some malt, and creamy vanilla-like lactose. Tastes like key lime pie, fresh lemongrass, tart lemon, lime peel, creamy lactose, sweet spice, oak barrel, bready caramelized malts, with floral earthy grassy hops. Feels medium bodied, creamy with smooth moderate carbonation. Overall a real nice key lime pie inspired wild ale.
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri
3.99/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Lightly hazy, golden and dry...the head is thick and white with intricate lace. Flavorful, tart....lime tang...wonderful. There is a bit of pale malt underneath. The finish is dry and acidic. Medium body and enjoyable.
Mar 11, 2019Rated by Sewercap from New York
1.74/5 rDev -57%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
1.74/5 rDev -57%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
Nasty, nasty beer. Avoid at all costs. Disgusting.
Jan 27, 2019Reviewed by Roguer from Connecticut
3.85/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Translucent dark orange, brownish ale, topped with a decent head - about 1 finger from a turbulent pour.
Musty oak, tannin, vinegar, and lime come together in a tart, funky, slightly muddled package.
Flavor follows. It's an odd (but pleasant) mix of sweet, sour, and funky. Brown sugar, key limes, honey, oak, tannin, and mild vinegar. Only mildly sour.
Smooth and oily on the palate.
Nov 18, 2018Musty oak, tannin, vinegar, and lime come together in a tart, funky, slightly muddled package.
Flavor follows. It's an odd (but pleasant) mix of sweet, sour, and funky. Brown sugar, key limes, honey, oak, tannin, and mild vinegar. Only mildly sour.
Smooth and oily on the palate.
Reviewed by Jrosso from New Jersey
4.22/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is a very good wild ale. The aroma of lime hits you right in the face. The taste of the lime comes through as well with a bit of sweetness from the lactose. The name certainly fits the beer.
Oct 20, 2018Reviewed by DBosco from Massachusetts
4.51/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.51/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
375ml bottle, of uncertain age, but I think it was on sale so probably old. Hazy copper orange, but may have a tint of green around the edges. Medium size bubbles around the edges, but more of a film than a head. Amazingly, smells like a key lime pie including a whiff of the crust. Taste is tart, limey, some sweetness (lactose it seems). Feel is nice, rich and a little creamy. Overall, this was a fascinating variant of a wild ale. It has the wild ale tartness, and that is base that plays into the recreation of a key lime pie flavor. I guess the notes of baked crust are coming from the oak and malts, the lime flavors are just right, and the lactose gives the sweetness for the pie filling.
Jun 27, 2018Reviewed by Ciocanelu from Romania
4.2/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.2/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Sample at Mikkeller Beer Celebration Copenhagen 2018, Blue Session. Aroma is zesty and fruity with marmalade and fruit jam notes. Taste is sour, sweet, fruity, mineral and a bit salty with a light orange rind bitterness on the finish.
May 29, 2018Reviewed by SHODriver from North Carolina
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: Poured into a tulip to a deep orange topped by a dense two finger off white head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of funky yeast and some grassy notes with some hints of lime
T: Taste is tart acidity with some key lime notes, lactose sweetness with some cream, slight funk, and grass notes. Swallow is more key lime with some lingering tartness and sweetness from the lactose.
M: This beer has a medium body with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Carbonation is just below prickly while the beer has a drying finish from the acidity.
O: Overall this is a really great beer that seemed to hit the flavor profile they were looking for. Very nice with some good complexity and flavors which makes this one an enjoyable drink. Definitely worth a try if you like key lime pie.
Mar 14, 2018S: Smells of funky yeast and some grassy notes with some hints of lime
T: Taste is tart acidity with some key lime notes, lactose sweetness with some cream, slight funk, and grass notes. Swallow is more key lime with some lingering tartness and sweetness from the lactose.
M: This beer has a medium body with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Carbonation is just below prickly while the beer has a drying finish from the acidity.
O: Overall this is a really great beer that seemed to hit the flavor profile they were looking for. Very nice with some good complexity and flavors which makes this one an enjoyable drink. Definitely worth a try if you like key lime pie.
Rated by JLK7299 from North Carolina
4.34/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Delicious
Jan 31, 2018Reviewed by jzlyo from Iowa
4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Aroma is big lime/key lime and sweet fruit. The flavor is lime/key lime, malts, fruit and a mix of big tart and slightly sugary sweetness in the finish.
Oct 28, 2017Reviewed by CanConPhilly from Pennsylvania
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Crooked Stave - Key Lime Tau
Key Lime Wild Ale with Lactose - 6.3% abv
L - 2-finger off-white head atop a burnt orange body.
S - key lime, sugar, graham cracker, oak.
T - quite sweet. Very acidic due to the limes. A slight tartness but less than expected. Barrel presence is faint but pleasing.
F - medium body, prickly carbonation. Not detecting what the lactose is doing here.
O - A decent wild ale, but comes off as more of a fruit beer due to the low degree of tartness. Pleasing on a 75 degree October day.
Oct 22, 2017Key Lime Wild Ale with Lactose - 6.3% abv
L - 2-finger off-white head atop a burnt orange body.
S - key lime, sugar, graham cracker, oak.
T - quite sweet. Very acidic due to the limes. A slight tartness but less than expected. Barrel presence is faint but pleasing.
F - medium body, prickly carbonation. Not detecting what the lactose is doing here.
O - A decent wild ale, but comes off as more of a fruit beer due to the low degree of tartness. Pleasing on a 75 degree October day.
Reviewed by KTCamm from New Jersey
3.79/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.79/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
7/1...pours copper blended with gold, foam on the low side. Key lime nose, tart scents and loads of the lime citrus. Oak hits you first, a key lime pie like taste. Pulpy lime mouthfeel. Bitter.
Sep 02, 2017Rated by Rimbimhoot from Illinois
4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Lemon grass, lime, medium lactic sour, sweet lactose, floral, citrus
Aug 07, 2017
Key Lime Tau (2π) from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
155 ratings
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