1st Anniversary Ale
Branchline Brewing Co.

Seemed like there may be a problem with this beer, overly foamy and strong "off" flavors. Behind these hurdles the beer still did show some nice bones... would love to taste another batch.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to JustXBeer for sharing this one at Retsinis' tasting.

Bottle # 367/816.

Pours a hazy brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is sour with malt, wheat, caramel, and wine aromas. Taste is much the same with sour malt, wheat, and earth flavors on the finish. There is a high amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a high level of carbonation with a crisp and prickly mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty poor beer that is definitely infected and hard to drink.

 

 

 

 

 

I think this may be the first time I've ever been the first to fully review a beer before. Go figure.

Poured into a Belgian snifter, this wheatwine is darker than I expected it to be. I've had other wheatwine styles before that were much lighter in color. This one is sort of a copper-burgandy color with a slightly off-white head. Not much lace to speak of. The nose is both herbal and fruity, with strong apple and cherry notes. The taste is also not entirely what I was expecting. Definitely a tannic presence here; it's got a very wild ale feel to it, which is nice. Sort of a funky herbal taste as well. Sharp, bitter finish and aftertaste. Mouthfeel is solid enough for the style.

I like this beer. I had my reservations at first pour, but it grew on me. It's a bit funkier than expected (which I don't mind). Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, mind you, but a great effort for a fledgling brewery. I'm glad Branchline is one of my local breweries in the SA area, and I hope to see more of these outings in the future.