Foeder-Fermented Grisette
Bellwoods Brewery

473 mL can from the brewery; there's a date stamp, but it's smudged. Listed at 3.6% and served slightly chilled.

Pours a lightly fogged straw yellow colour, generating one finger of loose, soapy white head that fizzles within a couple of minutes. A modest collar of froth stays put, with scant lace production; looks alright so far. Low level Brett barnyard funk on the nose, as well as grain husk, orchard fruits, lemon peel and herbal, floral hops.

It tastes ok: the Brett is low intensity, but it's also the most noticeable component of the flavour profile. Lemon, wheat, apples, floral hops and oak; weakly bitter and a bit leathery, with a dry, dilute white wine-like conclusion that I enjoyed. Light in body, with gentle carbonation and a soft, watery mouthfeel. Thirst quenching and effortlessly crushable.

Final Grade: 3.87, a B+. Grisette is one of those styles where I simply haven't had all that many different examples - and if I'm being honest, the handful of grisettes that I *have* tried in the past ranged from underwhelming to just alright. The Brett at least gives Bellwoods' Grisette some desperately-needed personality, but overall it's less impressive than most Bellwoods products. I get that you can only pack so much flavour into a 3.6% brew, but at the end of the day, a boring beer is a boring beer. I dunno, maybe this style just isn't for me - I'll probably give it another chance the next time I place an order with this brewery.

 

473ml can served cold from the brewery. Listed at 3.6% ABV. Canned December 21, 2023.

Appearance - Semi-hazy, pale golden straw colored brew with some yellowy highlights. A half finger of wispy white head rests on top and stays for a bit.

Smell - tart, with a bit of barnyard funk, some orchard fruits and a touch of citrus.

Taste - tart but muted, light with some graininess. A splash of lemon, with some wheat malt base. a bit funky and woody. Exceptionally complex little brew.

Mouthfeel - light with crisp carbonation dry finish. Quenches the thirst in the best of ways.

Overall - Really really solid brew, would happily purchase again.

 

500 mL Bottle. ABV 4%.
Appearance: Straw/Pale gold, Half a finger of off-white airy head, Dissipates fairly quickly, Slight carbonation.
Aroma: Barnyard/Brett funk, Slight citrus.
Mouthfeel: Very light and rounded body, Slight carbonation, Finishes a bit like white wine.
Flavour: Barnyard/Brett funk, Slight spice, Very light malt.
Overall: I definitely don't understand this style. I believe this is my first experience with Brett and it was pretty unique although I'm not sure how much you can do with it.

Review: 38

 

 

Straw haze yeller. smells yeasty and a slight hop tinge along with an oaky tartness. Tastes hoppier when cold than expected, almost a slight caraway flavor on the be-hind. Perfect feel for the style. Carbed but not a tongue gusher. Tasty stuff. Feels more like some beer from europe.

 

Hazy pale golden yellow under a foamy white head. Gives way to a substantial cap, moderate lace along the way. Fermented apples, barnyard funk, yeast, spice. This is off the beaten track, but quite interesting and enjoyable. A light hand with the alcohol makes it easy drinking. Thin-bodied, some sharpness from carbonation. Interesting stuff like this makes me like beer.

 

Pale gold, like lemon juice, unfiltered and cloudy; lightly capped by an airy white head that drifts away rapidly.
Aroma is of fermented apples, straw, mild barnyard funk, yeast spice - a lot like a cider. In fact you might be fooled if it you smelled it blind.
Upon tasting it - maybe I'm fooled, is this a cider? Light and juicy without being sweet, it tastes again of apples (like a Gala) and pear (Bosc). Despite low carbonation and feather-light feel, it has a relatively round and full feel in the mouth. In the finish there's a delayed dry, bitter gust that leaves you aching for another swig. Again it brings to mind a farm, in the morning, and straw fields. There's dashes of lemon, pure, clean light malt. No cloying sweetness at all.

Very refined and subtle, which admittedly is not usually something I'm into. It's beautifully balanced and nuanced, not trying to hard. It's feels Japanese in character. If your friends like crap like Coors and claim they don't like craft - give them this.