Field Guide: Barbe Rouge
Free Will Brewing Co.

16oz can purchased online directly from the brewery - $15 for a 4-pack. No canned on date; this beer was released on March 14 per Instagram, so it is about 5 1/2 months old.

Look: Pours a solid gold color with a rocky white head of two fingers that eventually dissipated. It's not quite clear as there are tiny particulates suspended in solution.

Smell: Right away, I get a strawberry / wild berry kind of note that is supposedly characteristic of Barbe Rouge. I also get more subtle generic citrus notes like orange and grapefruit. There's a bit of a vegetal/herbal presence underneath it (I think that I get some green bell pepper), along with a biscuity malt base.

Taste: It's interesting. Definitely tasty. Taste pretty much follows the nose. Nice berry and grapefruit notes, with perhaps a bit of subtle melon coming through. One thing that I was not expecting is that this is a good deal drier than I would have predicted. It's nice - makes you want to go back for more. The finish is mildly bitter and significantly drying, which is different and pleasantly surprising from a lager like this. It has a bit of vitamin chalkiness, which is probably on me for not consuming it when it was fresher.

Feel: Nicely carbonated with a fairly soft mouthfeel for a pilsner.

Overall: This is my first beer that showcases Barbe Rouge hops. I think that they did a good job with this. I have been a fan of dry-hopped lagers as a great way to showcase single hop varieties. It's nice that they combined the Barbe Rouge with Citra to provide the nice, bright citrus notes that are so familiar.

On draft at the brewery in pint glass

Clear pale yellow golden color, thick white head. Aroma is a little citrus, floral, and some strawberry. Taste is clean with crackery pale malt and a bit of those same hop flavors. Short finish. Thin to medium bodied.