Zircon Strawberry Tart
CIB Brewery & BBQ

I hadn't heard of this place until attending a Barreled Beer Fest in Lincoln in the spring. They had one offering, a barrel aged sour, and it was one of the better beers at the fest. The rep there explained that they basically do all sours in Carson, IA and that they no longer distribute in Nebraska. I thought that was a bummer at the time.

Fast forward a few months later and I'm in Council Bluffs picking up some beer. I get a little excited when I see a few bottles from this place on the shelf. I really enjoy funky beers, and there isn't much to be had from a "local" perspective.

Blah, blah blah...anyway the Strawberry Tart was hands down the worst sour beer I've ever had and was a total drain-pour. Couldn't even come close to finishing the beer.

The pour looked fine, although there was maybe a bit too much carbonation and little head on the beer.

The smell was fairly strong fruit, almost artificial strawberry.

The taste was just totally off, was likely infected.

 

 

Dark reddish brown, rapidly dissipating tan foam, no lace or head.

Aroma is lightly fruity, a bit muddled with no discernible strawberry notes. Raspberry vinaigrette, acetic acid. Taste is pretty good, light strawberry sweetness segues quickly into a tart acidic pucker. Wet wood and slight balsamic vinegar. Medium bodied with low carbonation.

Nowhere near a "Belgian-style Lambic" as the brewery claims, it comes closer to an acetic woody Flanders Oud Bruin. Surprisingly not bad at all though, regardless of style. I was ready to write off this brewery entirely, but this one has potential.