Alpha Experiment: Nelson Sauvin
Country Boy Brewing

 

The next stop for the Alpha Experiment train lands Country Boy at the feet of Nelson Sauvin hops. With its unique winey character, the brewers go over the top by going down under- to New Zealand, that is.

Alpha Experiment: Nelson Sauvin tingles the nose with the piquant spiciness of white wine, tangy fruit and a waft of fresh cracked peppercorn. Its common light amber color is cast with the same moderate haze as the others of the AE series, while also capping with that familiar, lacy, white foam crown. Supple and sweet, the malts support the hops firmly with light caramel, honey and graham cracker.

As the sweetness fades, the uniqueness of the Nelson Sauvin hop shines. First, its initial impressions are of white fruits ranging from white grapefruit, to grape, gooseberry and guava. As the taste steers toward a bitter finish, secondary waves of herbal lemongrass, white wine and a peppery twinge comes into play. Finishing with a spicy bitterness that's akin to noble German hops, the lasting flavors are of lemon pepper, white tea and strengthening chardonnay.

Medium bodied and malty dry on the palate, the beer's crisp and refreshing demeanor is due to evading sweetness, spicy hop dryness and the evaporative cooling of alcohol on the mouth. A long and herbal aftertaste carries the taste of sassafras, sharp grasses and that peppercorn bite.