Compagno Alto
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

 

an absolute stunner, thanks to my boy for sending this out, this represents such growth from crooked stave, a more mature version of a beloved brewery, hard to imagine but this is proof positive of it. an italian style pils, which really warrants its own category here on BA, and one done with new hops, high end grain, and all the flair in the world. i love the packaging, and i love the look of the beer in the glass, high headed and definitely a keller look about it, some hazy but a very light color as well, my type of lager! the flavor is great, equal parts hops, familiar lager yeast, and the grain, fresher than any import, likely dry hopped and without any excessive bitterness despite the boldness of hop character, and simple on the grain side, slightly raw, very harvesty and agricultural too, makes me realize this is more about vibes than specifics, and its fully resonating with me. not quite crisp in the sense that the flavor is maxed out, more and more as it warms too, like super extended in flavor but then also refreshing and even crushable, a shame to only have one can really. its lively on the palate, herbal and grassy hoppy but still in balance, only slightly european to me on the yeast side, and bright all the way through. really a wonderful take on the style, a cool fusion of the various components, and for what may come across as simple beer to many, is highly complex. i was over the moon on this, impressed beyond belief, and stoked that crooked stave has moved into this space in this way, more meaningful than other lagers they have dabbled with in the past. huge thanks to my homie for blasting this one out to idaho for me, what a gem!

Clear, pale straw colored body; plentiful carbonation, small bubble and gently rising; thick, dense, creamy, white head. Gentle, soft sweetness on the nose; honey dew melon and freshly thyme and grass; floral. Delicate taste; very mild cracker note with just a trace of sweetness; light hop bitterness. Primarily light mouthfeel; soft and delicately dry on the palate.

This beer exudes subtlety and quiet goodness.