Webb's City
Green Bench Brewing Co.

Pours a hazy, brown color. 1/4 inch head of a tan color. Good retention and slight lacing. Smells of wine, strong sweet malt, slight wood, caramel malt, and a hint of hops. Fits the style of a Saison / Farmhouse Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. There is also a distinct dryness. Tastes of wine, hint of oatmeal, hint of dark citrus, hint of bacterial funk, slight alcohol, strong sweet malt, slight wood, caramel malt, and a hint of hops. Overall, decent appearance and aroma, good body, but the blend in poor (too man cooks in the kitchen).

 

 

 

 

Green Bench Brewing Co. "Webb's City Cellar" Rye Sour Brown
16.9 oz. brown glass bottle, no freshness dating

Carefully poured to leave the lees behind, Webb's City pours a clear mahogany brown body beneath a finger-thick head of white foam that dwindles to a very thin collar, leaving behind little lacing.

The aroma displays oak, with both 'wood' and a slight hint of vanilla. It's leafy and earthy with a hint of wet tobacco and a suggestion of spice.

In the mouth it's light-medium in body with a delicate caress on the tongue.

The flavor follows the aroma, but with added acidity and a touch more malt. It's clearly a sour beer, but it's not overtly sharp. Rye comes through as well despite the fact that it's not particularly malty at all, but whatever caramel malts may have been used only lend to the overall impression of the malt - they're not distinct. The yeast pour softens it a bit and brings out some dull fruitiness reminiscent of black cherry and raisin. Bitterness is kept to a minimum as the acidity is all that's needed to balance it, and it finishes quite dry and tart but also short. Beyond that the maltiness and oak linger gently for a decent length of time. As you progress through the glass the see-saw of tart and bold oak up-front followed by the softer lingering notes in the finish becomes an enjoyable entertainment.

The blend of oak, tartness, and delicate rye is what makes the beer, but it's the transition from brash acidity at the start to supple lingering notes in the finish that drives it. I think a little more malt would have been nice, but it's charming as is, and it's a beer that you 'experience' rather than just drink.

 

Great beer from St. Petersburg, FL. 10/10 would drink again.