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

Straight pour from a 375ml pry-off bottle to an oversized teku-type glass; this is from a July 2015 batch, which would put it at somewhere between three to four months old. It’s been chilled for over 24 hours, so it’s had time to settle. Not sure what condition this will be in, but I’ve been looking forward to it for a while now.

Appearance (4.0): About three fingers of ecru-colored foam rise off of the pour, capping a perfectly hazy, glowing orange body. The head dies down at a somewhat quick pace, but given the mixed fermentation it’s not too fast. A smattering of thin, foamy splotches all around the glass make up the lacing and retention. Overall, not bad—a gorgeous body, a nice but relatively short-lived head, and sparse but pretty lacing.

Smell (4.0): Lime peel, a bit of sweet cream (almost like a dollop of condensed milk), sweet lemongrass, bready, biscuity malt, and a mixture of tart funk and subtle musty note. The lemongrass in particular comes out more as it warms.

Taste (4.5): Some slightly sweetened limeade mixes with sweet lemongrass, which adds a grassy, herbal undertone at the same time. A rather tart, almost astringent lime peel note undercuts the whole palate and pops up much more assertively in the finish. All this time, there’s also a smooth, sugar cookie or pastry dough-like sweetness that represents the malt body. In this instance, that’s also where the lactose is hiding, making the malt smoother, fuller, and rounder. The brettanomyces and oak vessel funk weave themselves into the beer’s different components exceedingly cleanly and smoothly—the brett funk shows itself with a very slightly medicinal edge that hides next to the lime peel, and a mellow oaky note hangs out underneath the pastry-like malt. This is fascinating.

Mouthfeel (4.5): The body is smooth and just under medium weight, with a soft carbonation that foams up with a nice tingle on its way down. The brett and the lime peel both work against the lactose to dry it out on the palate, making for an overall very smooth, but also tart drink. This beer’s got a ton of character.

Overall (4.25): Boy oh boy, this is an odd mix in some ways, but it really works for me because of how much I like its separate ingredients. On top of that, the lime and lemongrass work simultaneously with and against the lactose and malt body, and the brett and oak offer similar counterpoints while adding depth to its other components. This is a deceptively well thought-out beer. Definitely recommended for open-minded fans of mixed culture fermentation. Crooked Stave really knows what they’re doing, eh?

On draft at PapPo's. Poured a slightly cloudy, golden orange color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It smelled of key lime, funkiness and caramel. Sweet lime with a tart bite, funkiness and some sweet caramel.

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.

 

 

 

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.

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Nasty, nasty beer. Avoid at all costs. Disgusting.

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.