Science Fiction
Rhinegeist Brewery

Both wild and refined, Rhinegeist's sour blonde ale might seem of the stuff of make believe. But with a hint of lambic spontaneity and wood barrel aging, this Funky Blonde Ale is oh so real.

Pale gold and hazy with a suspended fine silt, Science Fiction builds a fluffy swath of sea foam before teasing the nose with a brisk and briny scent of sea air laced with weathered fruit, driftwood and sourdough. As its supple sweetness washes the early palate, it does so with wafer, sourdough and a cracker-like dryness.

The fruit flavors are on full display as the ale rolls over the middle palate. Lime, grapefruit, pear and apple all seem of the dehydrated character as a winey taste of oak aged chardonnay takes on a wily, earthy and woodsy tone. Trending slighly bitter, a final taste of straw, hay and dried burlap decorates a powder-fine finish.

Suggestions of light leather comes with a brisk and acidic finish that washes the thirst from the palate with utter ease. Creamy early but a quick transition to dryness makes the session a refreshing as it is complex and well-melded. The finish comes quick with brief echoes of brine and burlap in tow.

500mL bottle poured into a tulip
A: Hazy light orange with a lingering one finger head
S: Sour, berry, wheat, yeast
T: Matches adding a hint of Brett
M: Medium bodied, quite tart
O: A pleasant sour