Modgud
TRVE Brewing Co.

god i miss these guys, used to live right down the street, now states away, a shame, love this brewery so much. in any event, thanks to my homeboy for sending this out my way, its a kveik yeast ale with juniper, i was surprised to see it pour as deeply colored as it is, malty looking, deep amber in tone, high tan headed, several inches and lasting, pretty brew even if unexpectedly dark. it smells clean, perhaps a cooler ferment with this yeast than others are doing, but its not all estery and saison-esque, its more simple, not mild, but not radical either, and i kind of appreciate that, i was beginning to get turned off by what i now know to be overdeveloped usages of it, the restrain is better here. juniper is real subtle, herbal but light, a little tang brings it out, but it remains mellow to my senses, lots of grain here, perhaps covering it up a little bit, not unflattering, the whole thing is oddly delicate for what it is, maybe even lacking complexity. the flavor is malt forward, again quite reserved on the yeast and on the juniper, i think i expected a more botanical pungency here, and i do miss it a little bit. hints of natural red wine, baked crusty bread, raisin, but its not sweet at the end, this yeast dries it out nicely, could be a little more rustic, but i like the tidiness as well, especially for how grain forward this is, juniper becomes spicy as it warms but it says more or less in the background. i think i expected a little more intensity here, but i like the drinkability and just feel thankful to be drinking trve beer again. thanks again to my long lost friend in denver for sending this, hope to see you again soon in the flesh man!

 

 

Rusticity and refinement finds their way into the hands of TRVE brewers as they raise the Kveik Norwegian farmhouse-styled yeast back to life. But in this new life, it takes on a fruitier, darker and more spicy character with a little nudge from juniper berries.

Deep garnet and caught in a rusty haze, Modgud crowns with a short statured off sepia stain. A surprisingly robust scent carries the beer's early impressions with cola nut, toast, peppercorn, dark fruit and a twinge of toasted pine. The sweetness of toasted barley greets the tongue with notions of bread crust, cola, steely caramels and the raw grit of rye-like grains.

But the middle palate shows a sharp departure from any focus on malt as the characterful yeast chases down a path of black cherry, currant, red apple, lime, lemon and gooseberry in a tart, but not too sour flavor. Countering with peppercorn, toasted oak, clove and ginger balance, and the ale suddenly trends bitter and spicy in a tangy but robust late palate.

Medium bodied and trending both spicy and tart, the malty remnants of peanut skins take on the juniper character as a botanical nod to gin carries a campfire type of spruciness into a medium length aftertaste of dark fruit once more.