Lemon Balm & Beet Hoppy Wheat
New Sarum Brewing Company

Pours a gargantuan head that initially fills 2/3 of the glass, pink tinted white foam, airy and mostly comprised of larger bubbles, that said the retention is credible, when there’s room for it the lacing never quite separates from the head. Brightly glowing pink liquid with a shimmering orange tint, opaque, could be a glass of pink grapefruit juice, the carbonation is tightly beaded so even through it all you can see steady bubble streams. The beets come through loud and clear in the nose, as does the wheat to make a very natural pairing, the lemon balm more lost in the muddle until it sighs at the end, no real fruit presence due to the beets but there is something vaguely medicinal like Vicks rub. Medium-bodied, soft and creamy and arguably over-carbonated as it comes close to foaming out of your mouth (might have been deemed necessary due to thickness of beet juice). Has an acidic character which focuses the beets, flavorful without excess sweetness and which teases out more lemon citrus. The wheatiness softens the back end and opens the door for earthiness. No grassy bite nor bitterness yet manages to finish dryly and without puckering. Great sense of movement of change, nails it start to finish.

a gabf gold medal winner this year, and deservedly so, this is really unique and delicious beer, like nothing else i have really had, and for all the adjunct wheat beers that just seem cheap and forced and mass appeal, this is something really rare and fine, a needle in the haystack sort of thing, diamond in the rough, you get it. its pink from the beets, and the cool thing is, you can really smell them in here. the wet earthy heartiness of a fresh beet is a decidedly original aroma, and its here, fresh and natural and true as can be, uncommon in beer to say the very least. the lemon balm is equally robust, super fresh, with lemon, lemongrass, green tea, verbena, and floral characteristics, delicate and bright against the dense earthy beet, an amazing juxtaposition, sort of the opposite ends of this spectrum of earthy, and its just incredible. the flavor is even more awesome than the nose, the added flavors are insane, and brilliant together, the synergy is next level, sort of sweet from the beet and then bitter from the herb, its genius. i can taste the wheat through here too, and a mild citrus hop profile that really works in a way that doesnt overwhelm the unique ingredients. dry and complete to finish, notes of rose petals, champagne, and freshly pulled beet. i adored this beer, think its positively next level, and i really hope i cross paths with it again. one of the more memorable beers of 2017 for me, especially from a brewery i had never heard of before. insanely good.