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


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- From:
- Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Wild Ale
Ranked #685 - ABV:
- 6.28%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #8,751 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 9.14%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 22, 2022
- 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.
4.15 by Sparky44 from Illinois on Apr 22, 2022
3.94 by SayBoom from Ukraine on Nov 14, 2020
3.58/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Limazulu from Idaho
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, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Limazulu from Idaho
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, 2020
3.91/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
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, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
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, 2020
3.75 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Jul 08, 2020
4 by edthehead from New York on Jun 28, 2020
4.65/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
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, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
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, 2020
4.24 by Jonathan-Morgan from Florida on Dec 13, 2019
4.24 by kmanjohnson from California on Aug 10, 2019
4.15 by dansmcd from Australia on May 27, 2019
4.16 by Simon212 from Canada (ON) on Mar 18, 2019
3.99/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Suds from Missouri
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, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Suds from Missouri
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, 2019
4.25 by paulish from New York on Feb 02, 2019
4.27 by demonssouls from Missouri on Jan 29, 2019
1.74/5 rDev -57%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
by Sewercap from New York
Nasty, nasty beer. Avoid at all costs. Disgusting.
Jan 27, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
by Sewercap from New York
Nasty, nasty beer. Avoid at all costs. Disgusting.
Jan 27, 2019
3.85/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Roguer from Connecticut
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, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Roguer from Connecticut
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, 2018
4.22/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Jrosso from New Jersey
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, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Jrosso from New Jersey
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, 2018
3.75 by andyjeigh from Oklahoma on Sep 19, 2018
4.51/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by DBosco from Massachusetts
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, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by DBosco from Massachusetts
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, 2018
3.75 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands on Jun 13, 2018
4.2/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Ciocanelu from Romania
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, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Ciocanelu from Romania
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, 2018
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by SHODriver from North Carolina
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, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by SHODriver from North Carolina
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, 2018
4.34/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by JLK7299 from North Carolina
Delicious
Jan 31, 2018
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by JLK7299 from North Carolina
Delicious
Jan 31, 2018
4.15 by sd123 from Georgia on Nov 17, 2017
4 by Irrationalist from California on Nov 04, 2017
4.27 by mattreitz49 from Florida on Oct 28, 2017
4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by jzlyo from Iowa
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, 2017
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by jzlyo from Iowa
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, 2017
4.06/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by CanConPhilly from Pennsylvania
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, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by CanConPhilly from Pennsylvania
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, 2017
4.39 by Jcarriglio from Florida on Oct 18, 2017
4 by Theogre83 from Kansas on Oct 01, 2017
4.23 by durlta from Iowa on Sep 30, 2017
4.02 by Gkruszewski from New York on Sep 16, 2017
3.79/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by KTCamm from New Jersey
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, 2017
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by KTCamm from New Jersey
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, 2017
4.09 by cp45 from New Jersey on Sep 02, 2017
4.36 by Gerasimos from Tennessee on Aug 19, 2017
4.65 by SDRedDevil from California on Aug 14, 2017
4.11 by Zazzi82 from Tennessee on Aug 09, 2017
4.05/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Rimbimhoot from Illinois
Lemon grass, lime, medium lactic sour, sweet lactose, floral, citrus
Aug 07, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Rimbimhoot from Illinois
Lemon grass, lime, medium lactic sour, sweet lactose, floral, citrus
Aug 07, 2017
4.27 by Blazer22 from Colorado on Jul 29, 2017
3.99/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a golden orange color with a one finger white foamy head that quickly concaves and leaves just a glazing over the beer. Thin spider web lacing clings to the glass. The smell starts off with a big sweet burst of key lime, sour yet sweet, bitter with a nice tart edge. The taste was a balanced sour to sweet to bitter between the key limes, lemongrass and a light woody edge underneath. After some warming, subtle pie-like crustiness, makes it taste like drinking key lime pie. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sessionable to sipping quality about it. Carbonation runs nice and low so that the tartness of the key limes hits my tongue in a dry manner. Overall, nice take on taking key limes and putting it in a beer. Not sure if the pie-like quality was intentional, but hey, I’d drink this again.
Jun 08, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a golden orange color with a one finger white foamy head that quickly concaves and leaves just a glazing over the beer. Thin spider web lacing clings to the glass. The smell starts off with a big sweet burst of key lime, sour yet sweet, bitter with a nice tart edge. The taste was a balanced sour to sweet to bitter between the key limes, lemongrass and a light woody edge underneath. After some warming, subtle pie-like crustiness, makes it taste like drinking key lime pie. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sessionable to sipping quality about it. Carbonation runs nice and low so that the tartness of the key limes hits my tongue in a dry manner. Overall, nice take on taking key limes and putting it in a beer. Not sure if the pie-like quality was intentional, but hey, I’d drink this again.
Jun 08, 2017
Key Lime Tau (2π) from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
153 ratings