Funk It Up
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

 

this is as good a wild beer as i have ever had, no fruit, no frills, no belgium, no problem, its as authentic and epic as just about any lambic out there, this is methode traditionnelle, and it really shows, the level of maturity and refinement is essentially unrivaled, and even if these guys seem to be a little less hot than they were some years ago, the beer remains some of the best there is in these wild styles, i cant believe how good this is, on tap at their brewery location. brassy colored, remarkably clear for what it is, sparkling carbonation collecting in a lasting inch of white head, the angular glassware they use here is beautiful for this. the aroma is insane, straight lambic, the old world mash techniques, the oak, the spontaneous ferment hitting very authentic, and of course the aged hops, which have a huge funk of their own in here and perhaps a touch more bitterness than many of the belgian examples, but this is spot on traditional and could pass as lambic from any of the illustrious producers. i mean that fully. the flavor is wonderfully well balanced, brett more than sourness, this is so mature and funky, so dry and wild, but so drinkable too, its insane. unique nuances as it warms include white wine, dried apricot, white peach and nectarine, musty basement, cedar, clover, butterscotch, and yellow florals, its insane, lightly cheesy in a way that adds cool complexity, some grain richness in tact here despite the obvious age, lot and lots of oak, vanilla and tannins abound from it, brett brux all the way, iodine and medicinal character, actual wet dog, hay, preserved lemon, and just a pop of finishing acidity along with the ancient hops, a grassy note, and all of the funkiness, still so obviously wheat based too, the unmalted portion brings a lot, and this is just splendid overall, the attention to detail, the patience, and the refinement is all first rate, and the spontaneous profile is second to none. each sip of this floored me, and for all the crazy fruited stuff they have done over the years, this might stand as their very best beer in my experience, ill remember this one forever! hope to drink this again one day, its a monument to what is possible in the states, the mt seal means something, and i appreciate the adherence to tradition here. truly brilliant beer.

 

 

A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that left some lacing on the surface and a narrow collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of funk are present in the nose, which become stronger as the beer warms up.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is rather funky and also has some hints of oak from teh barrel gaining.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a little tart on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I found this lambic to be quite easy to drink but it is pleasant enough to sip and savor and take in the unique aromas and flavors of funk in the smell and taste.

Serving type: bottle

L: Generic golden blonde.
S: Simple brett flavor.
T: A standard lambic with a bit of citrus notes.
F: Simple lambic.
O: A very simple but enjoyable lambic. Not unique but still worth drinking.