Only Brewed 4 Cuban Linx
Strangeways Brewing

Bottle, no date:
Poured a pretty orange-yellow, with at least a little haze at least. A properly decanted glass has a nice, cloudy soft look to it. Yeast fell into another glass, but that only seemed slightly more cloudy. Head was light on a softer pour, but mild resurgence of bubble along the edges with agitation.

Nose is citrus zest, maybe with a little extra rind as well. That bitterness may be the wild yeast strains poking through. It doesn't come across as funky, though. Actually there seems to be a sonewhat chemical note to it, lending a certain mass-produced soda-like impression. The kumquats seem stronger than the mango, which seems to play bass on this from a scent-POV.

The taste is not nearly as bracing as I expected from the nose. I think the oak barrel has imparted its will to smooth out the fruit (and other harsh notes) from the nose. Light carbonation, just enough to keep the tongue awake. Blend of the featured fruits is more balanced in the taste. There is a light citrus sweetness that seems dulled by the oak and a light farmhouse yeast funk. Note, the cleaner pour did seem to have less of the funk than the one with floaties. The brett seems to come out a little with some warmth, but the barrel wood strengthens as well.

Enjoyable beer, one that lets the fruit additions play on a clean field. I sorta get a saison-ish base a little more than a wild ale. Funk and/or sour are barely a part of this pour, if at all. I might consider this a fruited saison - and a pretty decent one.

 

Very white wine like. I would keep this in my wine cellar and drink in place of a white wine 4.25.

A - A very pale yellow - reminds me of an oaked aged white wine. Some but minimal carbonation. Slight haze. Half-finger white head. 4

S - A mild wild funk. Still vinous in nature. Some minor sweetness. Some hefe-like qualities as well. 4

T - Mildly tart, but not sour. 4.5

MF - Medium light body with a dry finish. Crisp 4

 

 

 

On tap @ Strangeways:
Great aroma of mango, kumkwat, apple, white grape and slight funk. Agree with other reviewer who said it needs to be more tart. Great flavor but needs more sourness to balance the fruitiness.

Poured from a bottle into a stemmed vase, the beer is a deep, vibrant, honey gold coloring with a slight haze, some steady carbonation flow throughout the body, and no head. Aromas of tart white grape, pineapple, chardonnay notes, rich and sweet mango, subtle woody spice, and a solid tart and sour yeast character. Flavors are more of the fruit forward, mango and kumquat, with white grape must highlights, and a quick follow of tart and sour Brett highlights. Toasted grain backbone, with woody highlights, and subtle honey sweetness. The body is robust, but remains crisp and dry throughout. The aftertaste is all fruit and sour notes, heavy on the mango. Smooth, slick, slightly dry finish, with a subtle sour linger. Good beer.

 

A: Very pale yellow, clear, and a small amount of white head on top consisting of mostly fish eyes.

S: Tart with notes of fruit, and vinegar overshadowing. Sourness, and a touch of honey in the finish.

T: tartness up front, but not a lot of it. followed by a little farmyard funk, and some citrus notes.

M: Very thin body, fairly light carbonation, and a fairly watery finish.

O: Pretty good. It would be a good brew for sipping on a hot summer day, but doesn't have the tartness I crave in a wild ale. Seems like a really tame farmhouse. The pedio and brett character are nice, but I was hoping for a little more assertive flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best of the samples from my trip to Strangeways. A light, tart refreshing beer. Tastes a bit fruity and a bit tart, with some light but pleasant brett on the finish.