Belly Laugh
Breakside Brewery - SE Taproom

this is one of the most distinct and enjoyable beers i have ever had, so glad i splurged for the bottle at the brewery in portland, it really blew my mind. a light and bright grainy grisette sort of saison, dosed with elder flower and grains of paradise, and a whole bunch of farmy brett. this is really incredible stuff. airy white head stands almost two inches tall above the pale golden colored clearish brew beneath it. it smells herbaceous and bright, i get the grains of paradise right away, a little spicy and earthy like a tea, floral too though, and with the elder flower quite in bloom, and the brett of course is fruity but also drying and really rustic and funky. maybe multiple yeast pitches in this one, a brett strain or two and then the saison ale yeast itself, which has some funk to it as well it would seem, if in fact that is the case. the elder flower is subtle, it almost always is in beer, but its contribution to the flavor is awesome still, notes of honey and wildflower for sure, and then the grains of paradise bring citrus and green tea qualities before the brett dries it all out in one huge whoosh of carbonation. there must be some rye or something here in the grain bill, i can taste it and feel it, a little prickly with a mild spice, very cool base note for the delicate flavors in here. the yeast is the hero for me though, and everything else in here just exists to serve it, to flatter it really, and it works like magic. the mouthfeel is insane on this, so much carbonation, light bright body that isnt watery at all, and as dry as can be with the yeasty funk in the end, clean and easy, its really sensational. as good a wild beer as exists in the world i think, although the added ingredients are very mild, they make this memorable. possibly my favorite beer from the whole oregon trip!