High Carb Ale
Liberty Brewing

Guessing this is at least 18 months old now so this will be interesting. Previously tried June 2012 in Wellington but was a bit drunk to remember it well.

Modest hiss when Zork-cork removed. Attractive copper-bronze with a towering pillowy beige head that laces very tidily as it gradually collapses over 5 min or so.

Nose shows an abundance of tangy and rounded candied, almost barleywine-esque sweetness. Strawberry souffle, red grapes, nutmeg and cassia. Lovely integration of yeast and mellowing malt character.

Follows the nose with baked toffee, stewed figs, strawberry sherbet, sweet woody herbs and muscatels. Not super complex but delicious.

Light to medium with less active carbonation than suggested and a very mild residual hoppy bitterness at the back end.

Wow, this was way better than I remember it tasted fresh. Next to no hop character left, but really interesting yeast and mellow, slightly fortified malt character makes for a gratifying drop.

 

Its funny usually you are expecting something to be called low carb these days but not Liberty and its IBU is 70 and it has 45g carbohydrates its a 2011 seasonal release showcasing whole NZ grown Chinook hops and as they call it a New Zealand Strong Ale which pours a hazy orange light copper hue with a dimple laden two finger head that stays and leaves heaps of lacing eveywhere,the smell is orange sherbet,a touch of pine,grapefruit and lemon sorbet,the mouthfeel is full bodied with lively carbonation with tastes of orange sherbet,light aniseed,burnt toffee,caramel,pineapple,lychee and finished with a warming piney bitterness and overall i like it as its sometimes hit and miss with just the use of one hop but like their C!tra this works aswell cheers.