Melon Bellini
Other Half Brewing - Center Street

Has there ever been a beer of this style with so much overt booze to it? Sure, this *was* a Berliner Weisse but it was so strong and syrupy that a lot of the flavor ended up getting lost in that. Of course, it's an Other Half beer with a great label and idea behind it but if you're used to having something laid back to relax to, this might come as a bit of a shock to you...

Canned on 5/24/19 with "BELLINI HAD A LUMPY HEAD" written below it, the hue to this was a dark but vibrant passion fruit with plenty of very fine sediment in it that made this beer look like a lava lamp. Much of it settled at the bottom but would rise up during each sip. Hardly any head and even less lacing to be seen as that was the closest that this beer came to being a traditional Berliner Weisse. Lively melon, juicy lime, and some perfume were in the nose as the taste was a bit tart, juicy as could be, and had a bit of resin and basic, bold malt to round things out. Not sticky, bubbly, or hoppy, some more tartness and dankness in the melon would have been welcome but as it was, this was one of the tougher beers that I've ever had to figure out!

The overt alcoholic presence didn't help and the subtly growing champagne feel in the back made me feel that this was almost not a beer at heart. It was, but if there was ever an Imperial Berliner Weisse, this would be the first brew that I'd place in that category. Fun for a windy, cool night like tonight, this would not be something I'd reach for on a summer's afternoon. Give it a go once just to see what this style is capable of being...

 

 

As Mike called it, the aroma is like walking into a Claire's store in the late 90s. I guess I don't hate it now as much as I would have then lmao.

Taste is pretty tart of lemony melon and green apple with a little toast. The medium-light body has a lactic vibe to it.

 

 

 

 

Look - Had both on tap at the brewery and purchased in a pint can. Review is based on the canned version. Poured into an imperial pint glass. Light orange in color, little to no head, and beer is cloudy, with some floating particles.
Smell - tart, and melon flavor is very dominant. some sweetness that smells like it's going to make the beer a bit too sweet on taste, but we'll see.
Taste - a very classic Berliner Weisse taste, with much more tartness (and a lot less sweetness) than from the smell. Balanced out with a bit of malt presence in the finish. A very tasty beer.
Feel - light bodied, somewhat low on carbonation (higher at the one on tap), and this one is no joke at 8% ABV. Yet it drinks like a Schofferhofer, which is actually a bit concerning...
Overall - this is a highly boozy Berliner Weisse that is perfect for the summer. Refreshing, tasty, and gets you tipsy quick: what's there not to like?

 

8% no joke BW. Not overly sour with some great melon and lime notes. Very solid imperial BW.