Iduna Cru
The Wild Beer Co.

 

This is the first proof positive I have that a British micros can make very good beers in the Belgian tradition. (I believe this is my first British Belgian. But to back my claim, I'd have to review all 127 saisons I've Had. Since that is too much work, let's trust my memory and the Brits now have good examples among the Belgians.)

While this is an active, bubbly beer, it Looks average. Better, Iduna Cru's Smells are full of a medley of malts and a host of herbs. Tastes come through the same, but nicely spiced with some hops entering mid-palate to over balance; very reminiscent of the finer Belgian saisons. Mouthfeel is dry, but not overly so.

The penultimate proof that Wild Beer's craft is unusual, Iduna Cru offers 9%; high and well-concealed for a saison.
The final proof comes back to how they share their philosophy of brewing on the bottle; not a quasi-crazy rant that is often half-funny at best per more than a few American crafters; rather Wild Beer details their passion in very measured tones. Kind of British. Well done, chaps !

L- Two fingered bubbly head with a nice golden amber color. Plenty of yeast floaters in there.
S- Apple, apple butter, malt, wild yeast, some molasses, earthy undertones. Yes, some apple juice for sure. Nice aroma.
T- Overall a very nice flavor. Caramelized malt/sugar, apple, and bitter hop. The flavor is not extremely powerful but it is very crisp.
F- Dry. Good job
O- I'd say overall this beer is better than the average. It's very funky and interesting, it has a nice dry mouthfeel, it's apple is well crafted into the flavor and aroma. I enjoyed it big time and would recommend it for sure.

 

Pours hazy straw with lasting lacy head. Smell is fruity funky. Sweet and sour flavor with barrel age flavors evident. Peppery yeasty flavors come thru. Would not have guessed alcohol content. Mouthfeel comes thru at the end with some residual Apple sweetness. Is this an "imperial" saison? Labeled as such it might make top 50.

Very unique saison. Didn't appreciate after first rip. Keep drinking. Peppery edge and apple sweetness set it apart. Still have trouble believing it's 9%. Great beer.

 

 

11.2 ounce bottle - $9.00 at Tasty Beverage Company in Asheville, North Carolina.

Appearance: A subtly cloudy, light yellow body with a rather voluminous, high-standing, airy white head.

Smell: A big pour of honeywine atop cut fruits hinting at one's fair share of alcohol pending. Some coarse-ground spices hand-tossed with a blend of fruity elements and on occasion some floral, perfumy hints.

Taste: A flash of sweet pilsnery maltiness given an overlayed fruitiness of sweet white grapes, apple and bitterish orange. Very subtly funky, lightly tart - a little salty minerality from the final pour. Some spicy phenols and peppery alcohol qualities throughout provide a lil' bite. Also, a rebound in the initial sugary dose late in the taste. Spritely, bubbly finish on the drying side.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Highly carbonated, rather lively on the tongue.

Overall: Not bad! I'll always take bubbly and free-moving for a high alcohol saison over heavy, ponderous and gloopy, so there's that.