Gucci Mango
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

 

 

 

 

While everything seems to going sour-this, tart-that, pastry-here, smoothie-there, Crooked Stave dusts off the 'ole American Wheat style and decorates it with mango fruit additions for a throwback taste that would appease the fruit beer lovers some twenty-five years ago.

Pale and cloudy gold with a hint of peach, Gucci Mango releases a voluptuous ivory froth that carries scents of cereal, grain, citrus and tropical fruit and a twang of sourdough. Bready and sweet to the tongue, the supple sweetness of honey layers upon the breadiness of shortcake for first palate introductions.

Much of the same cereal quality remains intact as the ale expands onto the middle palate. An undercurrent of lemon and orange are welcomed flavors to support the mango additions well, giving it roundness and variety. Trending slimly tart and with a hint of herbal bitterness, a light minty taste extends into green tea late on the palate.

Medium light and creamy throughout, the wheat ale finishes crisp, snappy but bready, allowing that wheat germ character to extend into a light aftertaste of tropical fruit skins and sourdough once more.