Deesko!
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

3 Floyds Brewing Co. "Deesko!"
22 fl. oz. brown glass bottle
$6.90 @ Kunda Beverage, King of Prussia, PA

Notes via stream of consciousness: It's poured a slightly hazy deep golden body beneath a short head of white that erodes quickly. Limited head retention is to be expected from sour beers but this might be a little bit over the edge. The aroma suggests acidity and plenty of apple and pear-like fruitiness. The flavor is puckeringly tart, as it should be, and it's a bit lemony in addition to the apple and pear. There's no noticeable bitterness but none is needed as the acidity leaves it quite dry in the finish. In the mouth it's light-medium in body and gently bristling but also quite biting due to the sharp acidity. I'm reminded of two instances in Berlin. The first was sitting near the front door a bar near the Ka De We drinking a Berliner Kindl knowing that I might need to rush out quickly. This is roughly as acidic but far more fruity. I was already on edge but the Berliner Kindl enhanced that. The second was at the Schneeeule Salon 7.2 km to the north where I was in a rush, and again on edge. This time I had someone waiting on me but the pressure was the same. The beers were not quite as sour, and far more complex. This falls between those two. My point is that even with a beer that is as simple as this there's a wide range of variation. It's somehow unsettling, and yet at the same time quite enjoyable.
Review #7,939

 

 

Kind of an odd beer. Was expecting a refreshing tart Berliner Weisse style beer but this one was just a little too acidic and musty for me. Almost reminded me of a wild ale. Obtained this one directly from the brewery but had a 10/26/18 date printed on the bottle - maybe it was too old? Pours a clear golden color with just a little film of white head and no real lingering lacing. Smells of tart ripe pear and berries, a little musty yeast and some apple. Tastes similarly, quite musty and tart. Mild, slightly thin mouthfeel with decent carbonation. I’ve definitely had better offerings in this category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a Firestone Walker tulip glass.

A: Pours a moderately hazy medium gold. A thin fizzy white head fades almost instantly. Similarly, the visible carbonation remains only in the form of a few streams of bubbles up the sides.

S: Lactic tart and lemony acidic. Cracker malts with a moderate husky character. Some Lactobacillus funk and musty hay-pile. This does smell fairly dry, and almost woodsy as well (though I don’t think this was oaked or anything).

T: Lactic tart up front again. Lemony citric acid and a modest funk on the tongue as well. Citrus rind, and the cracker malts that only have a mild grainy flavor on the palate. More dry sourness near the swallow with almost a white wine vinous character. It finishes dry with a bit more husk in the hang.

M: A light body, and the alcohol presence is minimal. Better carbonation sensation than the appearance suggested, but still a bit low for style.

O: This was okay, but nothing that would be worth seeking out. Decent enough Berliner, but I think it likely that you’ve got something similar hanging out on shelves these days.

 

 

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 12/5/2017. Pours lightly hazy medium golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin spotty lace cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lightly tart lemon, lime, peach, apricot, pear, pineapple, red/green apple, mango, melon, papaya, citrus zest, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with light notes of hay, grass, leather, wood, musty/lacto funk, pepper, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/acidic/light funky yeast and moderate pale malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart lemon, lime, peach, apricot, pear, pineapple, red/green apple, mango, melon, papaya, citrus zest, wheat, cracker, and white bread; with light notes of hay, grass, leather, wood, musty/lacto funk, pepper, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate lactic tartness and light yeast spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, peach, apricot, pear, pineapple, red/green apple, mango, melon, papaya, citrus zest, wheat, cracker, white bread, hay, grass, light funk/pepper, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/acidic/light funky yeast and moderate pale malt flavors; with an awesome malt/tartness balance, and zero puckering flavors after the finish. Moderately crisp/clean finishing. Moderate increasing dryness from tartness. Medium carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy, and fairly acidic balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol for 6.5%. Overall this is an awesome Berliner weisse! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/acidic/light funky yeast and moderate pale malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, clean, and refreshing to drink. Not overly lactic, with nice fruity yeast complexity and balanced malts. A bit unique for this one; definitely a bit of Brett going on, but it's not overpowering. A really enjoyable offering and spot on style example; even with the higher ABV.