Flat Earth Theory
Urban Family Brewing Co.

As with many Wild ales, the beer pours out into a Corsondonk goblet a clear quite pale yellow color with a minimal white head that recedes visibly and is soon gone. At first, sipping leaves a few scattered spots of lacing but well before mid beer they the ring have also disappeared.

The aromas are sharp and clean with the effects of white wine barrel aging being clear from some white grape and hints of oak. In addition there’s some fruity character that seems both citric (some lemon and lime) and berry like.

The flavors include some tartness and berry flavor. There’s also a background with some almost honey like sweetness from the malt, and touches of vanilla from the oak.

The mouthfeel is on the light side and and slightly prickly from the very light carbonation. The finish begins as the tartness from the lacto fermentation recedes a bit to allow some hints of sweetness and berry to mingle with the oak as they all head towards a finish that seems slightly sweet at first but then tails off into a light tartness that moves to the back of the palate and gradually disappears.

On the whole I thought this was an interestingly complex beer and one I enjoyed so I’d be happy to have another, especially if I find it on tap. It seems a nice introduction to a brewery I’d never heard of until recently but that I suspect I’ll be seeing/hearing a bit more about in the future.

Aroma is complex grapes/fruit and slightly musty wine. The flavor is fruit/almost Hawaiian Punch, malts, slightly funky yeast, strong grapes and a very tart/juicy finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a cloudy, maize color. 1/4 inch head of an off-white color. Slight retention and poor lacing. Smells of strong bacterial funk, strong citrus, slight yeast, slight alcohol, hint of wood, slight grass, and a hint of salt. Fits the style of an American Wild Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. There is also a distinct tartness. Tastes of strong bacterial funk, strong citrus, slight yeast, slight alcohol, hint of wood, slight grass, and a hint of salt. Overall, weak appearance, but good aroma, body, blend, and complexity.

 

 

 

 

 

this is an incredible beer, most definitely the best i have ever had from urban family. done in collaboration with a new korean craft brewer, pretty cool. its a wine barrel aged wild sour type with omija berries, which are apparently some sort of korean superfood with all sorts of crazy healthful properties. never heard of them before this beer, i love the use of a crazy ingredient like this! clearish beer, very pale, without much head after the initial pour. the aroma is sharp, tannic and grapey from the white wine, that aspect is really prominent. the berries seem to add an astringent tartness and a little red fruity sort of vibe, dried, almost like a goji berry or something, different but not way out there. the beer is light as can be, maybe a pils type malt base with a little wheat. more sour than anything i have had from these guys too, not so much of their dirty cheesy brett, its a much cleaner lacto fermentation that really sings with the wine. impressive depth of flavor, notes of honey and sweet vanilla from the oak are odd in such a sour beer, but it really works. bright clean acidity to finish it, and more of that curious berry complexion. i would like to get to know this fruit a little better, but its impact in the beer is cool. neat idea, cool collaboration, wonderful beer. top of the heap of urban family beers i have had, definitely buy it if you see it. all in the room thought it was incredible!

edit: they have either improved the recipe with future batches, or this has aged extremely well. the fruit is amazing in it now, like a dried goji berry, concentrated and gummy, sweet and tart, and its super forward in this now really clean sour beer. i adored this the second time around, one of my favorites to date from these guys!