Beer For Tapas
Off Color Brewing

A brilliant experiment. But, not one I need to drink again.
Despite no evidence of protein swirls past the initial pour, Tapas Looks appetizing. Tapas is a beautiful, clear red-amber that fits the season with our Christmas tree as sparkling backdrop. Smells are interesting, but perhaps too grapey for a beer. Tastes are the same; interesting, but reminds me more of the subtleties of wine than the presence of beer. In my mouth, I was reminded of communion wine: cleansing, but not a repeat anytime soon for this non-sinner.

I consider myself a big fan of Off Color and am impressed by how they can take a joke and turn it into a decent beer. Much of their experimenting is contained within their Beer For line which has 24 Active brews on BA. Most either start with a good joke or close to one. I've drunk 22 of them and twelve I rated below the average. So, I'm more impressed by the humor and the talent than the outcome. But just to prove that I, too, can experiment... I didn't drink Tapas alongside tapas, but rather with Indian leftovers. Well, that joke was on me. (But it was a reasonable experiment because there are people who claim Indian food pairs well with some wines. And why not for this is a Sangria-inspired beer?) But the Sangria-beer experiment all round is one and done for me.

 

 

Pours a reddish amber, 1" reddish-white head that quickly settles out to solid ring minimal lacing. Nose is noble hop, earth, red apple, cumin, grape juice. Taste is pretty weird! Lots of vinous and sherry notes, mild oxidization, yeast, and funk, tempered apple and grape sweetness, light floral hop and wood tannin on the finish. Mouthfeel is moderate with crisp carbonation. Overall worth a try.

 

Actually kind of like a red ale, but not at all heavy. Light, but full flavored. Sangria angle is iffy, might taste some hibiscus, but it's still a very good beer.