Tête de Cuvée Vintage 2019
Side Project Brewing

A: Pottery removal that projects a 3.8cm Swan neckline, while a slight drop is permitted to steady the transfer at around 2.54cm. The collapse is authorized thereafter, which takes deciseconds to brim on a lavender blush tone. Albeit, a latticework of sophistication upon inception to the < 0.5hr mark, where tiredness bestows, as ventilation participates. This is furthered over the late-staged-decants, when redrawing & recalling the ebullitions, through agitated intermissions. A process that becomes segregated, as oxidation is reinforced >3hrs. In conjunction, the administration paints an ochre orange structure to the clay vessel, when an aerial perspective is taken. This transfers in midair with a goldenrod dye, while the carafe is positioned to capture an xanthous to topaz shadow. In time, a translucence becomes known, which comes through a tawny orange detail

S: Yeast complexities with an oak directive above the hop effects, as the grain bill scales rusticity. The inauguration has an isoamyl octanoate motive, which provokes Seville Oranges & Forelle Pears. Concurrently, a bittering hop assist that lends the earthy dimensions through coniferous bushlands, when suggesting a calm – forested – walk upon Larch & Douglas Firs. The barrel aspect strongholds the course across lactones, while malt enamors the ruralism through towering silos. On top of, positively supportive phenols that lend eugenols across peppered cloves & nutmeg, as a vanilla to barrel assist evolves. The movement is continually chanced to oxidization, where the evaluated intervals draw upon Grüner Veltliner. This contextualizes the clever grape associations, and links the fermentable aspects, for enhancing the backgrounds to the foregrounds. Namely, haylofts to split grain leather amongst dry paddocks, besides weathered petals, before encompassing Calluna auras. A development that enforces the environment onto Phyllotopsis nidulans in an innocuous way, while pushing smart – phenolic – idiosyncrasies

T: An acidic native gateway above lipid encirclements, from an oak stave funding, while starch fractions converse. A start with a yeast to grain partnership on the bready dexterities, as the resinous (lupulin) oils govern. Accordingly, hops lure in the herbal affairs, which enrich esters to encompass phenyl ethyl acetates, while ethyl acetates evolve. These actions employ rose petals under Langstroth hives, before aeriation elicits a calm solvent touch. All the while, marking in Volkamer lemons alongside smooth Cayenne pineapples, which ultimately gain an (inoffensive) epoxy coating. At this stage, the hydroxyl to hydrocarbon ring colonizes, from white pepper to stable gear, while mock oysters insinuate. That insinuation couples the aroma’s presentation, as a terrestrial presence builds above abandoned mausoleums. Down the road, an attenuated dryness with a running bitterness – alongside that Missouri native core – to vehicle the aftermaths, while pressing an open draft stillness upon nicotiana tabacum

M: The composition has a bright to energetic vivacity, which nears an astringent nature minus a suffocating sharpness. This aspect is eventually eased through the thermal (exposed) alterations, as the ceramic rests at periodic intervals. Thus, a degassed induction that administers an efficient smoothness over the aged acerbity. The surface has an elegance to the minerality compositions, by straddling river rocks to oyster shells, which later transfix on asphalt & ancient fossils. Inevitably, and characteristically, there is a customary dryness with a habitual kick, while an oak to tannin epilogue derives

O: A clean thread that drives an oak perseverance right through, when detailing the puncheon to foedre to barrel makeup/s. The output is timely complex across the two-day decant, by exchanging fermentable hurdles, from esters to the finer phenolic points. Systematically, a sequence with a grainy malt character that’s tied to a woodsy hop foundation, while the yeast complexities thrust threaded compositions

 

 

 

 

Clear wedding band gold with a short white head dying to a thick bubbly ring.

Bright stonefruits with mild pungency come with a zippy acidity accented by notes of honey and faintly herbal white oak.

A little sharper than I'd want, the medium body is still effervescently tingly and finishes semi-dry.

To my memory, it's a little less complexly funky than the three older vintages I've had, particularly blend 1, but still very refined, closing in more towards Hill qualities as opposed to old world or Jester King depths.

 

 

 

Pours a golden yellow with a low haze to the translucency. Final couple ounces of the pour drop transparency to a mild fog. Three fingers of fluffy white foam top this beautiful liquid. Aroma is green apple and grapes, leaning the aroma towards lightly tart. Grassy, lemon zest, and biscuits help build and elevate this delicate, light, and refreshing aroma. Flavor profile brings back green apple and stacks chardonnay over the top. It features a little more firm tartness here than the aroma. Grass, stone, lemon zest, and biscuits build the rest of the flavor profile. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with an expansive effervescence when cooler, but mildly thin/flat when warm. Overall, a tight, refreshing saison that keeps a laser focus on execution and precision. Easy to drink.

Served in a 15.5oz Spiegelau tulip from a 750mL bottle. Reviewed from notes.

 

750ml foiled and capped bottle into a Side Project snifter. Shared with schen9303.

Nice pour. Goldenrod color, 1 finger foamy white head, stringy lace, nice, thin, clingy legs. Nose is lemon zest, peppercorn, oak, prickly floral notes, and a yeasty tartness. Very aromatic. Beer opens peppercorn, straw, and oak up front. There's a touch of lemon zest, light butteriness, foam, and more peppercorn in the middle. Zesty at the end with notes of stonefruit, more lemon, and some slight acidity at the finish. Very good. Great balance. Body is light with ample carbonation. Prickly and lively on the palate and goes down aggressive, messy, with a long, lingering, filmy aftertaste.

This is pretty impressive for my first foray into this hyped brewery. So far so good!

750 ml bottle, poured into a New Glarus glass at ~40 degrees F.

L: Pours a clear yet bubbly pale straw gold, and forms several fingers of white head with good retention.

S: White wine barrels were definitely involved in this beer's production, the nose leaves no room for doubt. A soft citrus presence underlies the grapes and oak, with a slight haze of mildew beneath that.

T: Bright, dry chardonnay and sauvignon blanc wine open, with hints of lemon zest, unripe pear, oak, and vaguely musty grass grown from an herb garden. Less apt to strip skin off the tongue than the usual Side Project offering, so perhaps more approachable for those less fond of sours.

F: Light and fluffy, quite lively.

O: An excellent saison experience.

This one pours a golden yellow color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like earthy funk, lemon, white wine, grain, wheat, and hay.

This is significantly more subdued and balanced than I typically associate Side Project with, which is enjoyable for me. There's lemony and slightly earthy funk, toasted oak, melon, stone fruit, grain, a dry hay-like flavor, and wheat.

This is light bodied, soft, and with a very manageable acidity.

This is definitely one of my favorite Side Project beers that I've had so far.

This is quite drinkable, with a soft mouthfeel.

 

750 mL bottle. Clear golden. Smells of strong wine, oak, herbals, grape fruitiness, earthy yeast. Tastes of stone fruit, oak, white wine, Brett earthiness, mild acidity. Medium body. Very pleasant.

So soft

Look - fantastic bright orangish yellow with a great white head
Smell - grainy slight funk and lemon
Taste - grainy citrus very slight funk and wood, clean
Feel - medium body with a lighter carb
Overall - just a fantastic farmhouse

 

Not on v18 level, but still so good. Restrained notes of honey & citrus contrast a dry, earthy funk. The carbonation & overall feel is soft, tart, & effervescent, and w/ warmth comes more of that barnyard and forgotten attic complexity. Always a favorite!