Systema Natvræ - Scuppernong & Lily
D9 Brewing Company

16 fl oz pull-tab CAN nabbed as part of a D9 variety 4-pack (that's a new one...) for $16.49 USD plus tax at a beer store in New Orleans, LA.

Blonde malts, tangy sourness, floral hop flavour, obvious bacterial flavour. Lactobacillus. High acidity.

Balanced though shallow in terms of depth of flavour. Has a brief flavour duration. Feels timid as a result. I don't know that the grape flavour is particularly strong, nor is the lily.

No oak flavour. No brettanomyces lambicus flavour.

A wild ale without the life spontaneous fermentation would lend.

B- / WORTHY

 

12oz Bottle

Big ol' thanks to Wilson for sending this a while back. This 2nd edition Systema Naturae pours with fervent carbonation. Half the glass fills up quickly with sirty white foam that immediately becomes silky smooth as it falls a a thick cap. Impressive staying power and sticky lace down the sides that sticks around throughout the whole drink The body is fairly clear and bright with a sandlewood hue. It's a handsome beer. Looks like it belongs in a wooded library, next to a fire place and a lab with a newspaper in his mouth.

Damn, the nose immediately gets the salivating goin'. Hits you up there by the ears. The whole nose is full of back and forth sweet & sour characteristics. Unsweetened grape juice leads the way with a little tart a little sweet. Floral notes flash here and there with a soft fennel note on the backend. There's a blast of caramel but it's quickly washed away by acidic cider vinegar. There are sweet & sour fingerprints from front to back but they balance out exceptionally well.

The flavor follows the nose closely but it's a touch muted in comparison. A bursting of grape tartness and softly sweet caramel pop off the bat. A quick flash of clean cider vinegar and Sweet Tarts play nicely in the center. The caramel brings up the rear with some floral notes rounding it out nicely. It's bright.

The body has some weight off the bat. It feels like moderate but the effervescence quickly shows itself and brings a welcomed airiness. It's light and tart and drying. The dry finish accentuates the tartness and it lingers until the next sip. This is a highly drinkable, quenching beer. While it is tart it's more refreshing than it is sour.

D9 has made some really high quality sour beers and this is no exception. It's bright and interesting with the use of very cool ingredients. It's tart and approachable. It's refreshing and complex. It's a hard beer to put down. Thanks again, Wil! Good stuff.

 

Clear copper body with a thin sticky head of creamy bubbles. Fragrant, almost pungent aromas of white grape, apples, light vinegar, lemon, and flowers. Crisp, juicy sour flavors...white wine, cider, berries, light earthy funk, and an acidic lemon pucker. Medium-light, slick feel with a dry sour finish. Not a lot of subtlety, but pretty good stuff.

 

 

Highlight of a recent event at Revelry Brewing, "Where the Wild Things R". Two consecutive drafts served in a tulip. Reddish amber tone, bright clarity, ample foam initially and spotty lace around the edges.

Complex aroma, uniquely funky and fruity with a light woody botanical undertone. Taste is moderately tart with some interesting flavors going on. Fruity acidic sour grapes, tannic grapeskins and a vaguely floral or botanical earthy element from the lily that compliments well. Juicy tart acidity, crisp and dry finish with a pleasant lightly fruity aftertaste.

First D9 beer and it made a very solid first impression. Overall I loved this one and had to get more, thanks Wil! They won a GABF gold with this one, so they must be doing something right.

 

 

Poured into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date.

A- Pours a dark amber color with a 1/2 inch light tan head that retains well before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a few wisps of sheer surface foam. Not-so-resilient lacing leaves tiny specs behind.

S- Apple, pear and green grape are the main notes I get out of the nose.

T- Taste follows the aroma very closely but there's more lactic acid presence. Moderate sourness with the scuppernong creating a nice green grape characteristic that works well. Very drinkable for the ABV and pretty refreshing.

M- Dry with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the lighter side.

O- Another great installment in the series. Not quite as excellent as the Apricot & Devilwood but exceptional in its own right. Good to see a brewer making use of the lesser-known scuppernong grape and bearing tasty results.