Ain’t No Tang
Rhinegeist Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet, sour, bitter and fruity, the collaboration ale of Rhinegeist and Green Cheek hit all the flavor buttons in a beer that's effortless, concise and juicy. For them, it Ain't No Tang.

However, the partially tangy ale starts off with a bright yellow color cast in a glowing matte finish. Its frothy ale has the beer appearing like white grapefruit juice to the eye. And to the nose as well, a tangy scent of citrus, tropical fruit and melon leap right out. Light pastry registers first with the tastebuds as a rich maltiness of honeysuckle, simple syrup, shortbread and sourdough adds a light creamy body as well as taste.

As the flavors unfold, the beer quickly steers toward the hops, shedding a taste of citrusy grapefruit, tangerine and a pep of lemon and lime for a tangy, zesty taste. A background of green papaya, passionfruit and under ripened mango bring about a more succulent tropical flare. Juiciness intertwines with creaminess for a richly textured substrate of grains that buffer against a late palate of herbal grasses, verbena, sassafras, lemon pepper and fresh crushed juniper.

Medium bodied and resisting any fade to absolute dryness, the beer's brisk acidity takes an edge off of the malt richness and links up with the hop bitterness for a bitter and sour taste that ultimately sings the praises of straight up white grapefruit juice spiked with gin.