Passiflora
Other Half Brewing - Center Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bought this when Other Half released this a while back and finally got around to having it tonight. Other Half is well-known for their IPA's but this was just as good as them and had plenty of flavor for a beer that wasn't terribly strong when it came to the alcohol. Nice and lively, this went down easily as the peppercorn didn't overpower everything else that this had to offer!

Really nice pour to this as the golden hue had lots of haze in it that got progressively thicker and darker as I poured out more of the beer into my pint glass. Not a strong aroma to this but there was a good amount of funk, passion fruit, and lemon zest to be had, as the peppercorn didn't come out until I gave this a sip. Once I did, this really kicked in nicely as the juice, lively carbonation, and Brett yeast all combined for a wondrous taste and mouthfeel. The lacing was amazing too as it was evident as ring after ring of soapy residue on the side of my glass, falling down into the next one. A nice, slick coating was left om my mouth from this as this went down so easily for a beer that could have been so funky!

The bottle was big but that wasn't a deterrent when it came to polishing this off, as this was the epitome of what a session beer should be. There was enough body here to keep this from being too light and this was not as sour as a Wild Ale or other Saisons and Farmhouse Ales that I've had in the past. Just the right of sour grass here to keep this true to form while the fruit gave it the right amount of juicy flavor to complement the funkier tones that were present. This was about as bright as a beer of this style gets!

 

 

 

750 into an oversized tulip.

Appearance is excellent all around: frothy pale white head, sticky lace trails and islets, surging carbonation, slightly hazy golden liquid.

Smell is a wealth of aromas. Funk, floral bits, orange and grapefruit, pith, light spicy notes. Pretty clean and pleasant. I perceive a slight oddity, something synthetic, but otherwise, clean and pleasant as I said.

Fascinating and peculiar flavor and feel. I'm certainly struck by the uniqueness of this brew as I sip on it. It's hard to pin down in style, flavor and ingredients. Grapefruit pith and zest are prominent, as is a light pilsner malt flavor and earthiness. There's an underbelly to the flavor that lends some bubblegum-like flavor with mango, papaya, passionfruit and guava.

Tartness here is light and delicate as is the beer in feel in general. Lethally drinkable and refreshing with a spritzy mid-palate carbonation. The tartness, zest, and pith lead off, before it becomes sweeter and gentler in feel. The finish is pretty damn dry and lingers as such.

I'm really enjoying this right now. Refreshing as all hell and so light that it removes any guilt I have about drinking a beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delicious. Nicely balanced flavors. Excellent body.