Washington County
West Sixth Brewing Company

Missed this at the release, but a friend brought this to a recent tasting. Yellow gold in the glass with a skim of off white head. Flavor is very champagne like. Zesty and brute sour feel is so nice. I am very sad we won't see this one again.

 

 

 

 

 

With the strong sour undercurrent of traditional Berlinerweiss, fused with farmhouse flavor and feel, West Sixth's inaugural "County Series" ale borrows funken elements of wild yeast and eccentric microbiota for a highly distinctive session that's not soon forgotten.

Pale straw in its pour, the cloudy translucence masks the forceful carbonation that pushes its way to the rim, building a rich lather along the way. Its bright and tangy aromas provide impressions of stem-ripened lemon and lime. Firm cider, sea brine and burlap offer earthy tones while the piquant vinous character of rose wine, cork and cellar bridge into early taste.

Less dry and fuller in taste than is suggestive to the nose the middle palate steers away for serious souring and embraces a saison demeanor. Apple, orange, lemon and light banana weave into a slightly doughy-sweet middle and round into a peppery bite with calm clove and lozenge.

Its drying finish is light, arid and with a vinous tannic quality of oak. While the peppery character grows, its sweetness fades into champagne obscurity. Light numbing to the throat, the beer lingers with retro-olfactory wafts of lime, brine and saddle leather.