Sour Farmhouse With Apricots
Hailstorm Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

22 oz. bottle, bottled 7/17/15 printed in the upper corner of the label. Nice to see Hailstorm dating their bottles. "Ale brewed with apricots, fermented with brettanomyces".

Poured into a Duvel tulip snifter.

A - Pours a bright cloudy juicy golden color. Finger or so of thin wispy white head that falls to a surface skimming. Some minor lacing that mostly just falls back into the beer. Appears well carbonated.

S - Initial whiff of sour, followed by a subtle, but authentic, fruity apricot aroma that brings juicy apricot flesh to mind. Maybe slightly floral? What's here is nice, but it could stand to be amped up.

T - Taste brings in more of the same: subtle lactic tart / funky sourness, and lots of juicy ripe authentic apricot flesh. Doesn't really feel like typical brett characteristics however. Not dry, earthy, or peppery, mostly just straight up juicy apricots & tart, with mild yeast note on the finish.

M - Feel is very smooth & juicy, crisp & tart, good amount of sour, with a semi-dry grainy finish. Very light and easy drinking stuff, especially with the moderate 7.00% abv.

Overall, a nice sour from Hailstorm; very interested to see how future fruited versions of this beer turn out.

Hailstorm Brewing Sour Farmhouse With Apricots -----4/5.

Hazy straw with a short fizzy head. Scent of farty Belgian yeast, dirty cabin floors, apricots, and a sprinkle of sugar. Flavors of tart yeast and sweet apricot initially; dank yeast and a touch of citrus give a stronger depth than the scent let on. Smells more Saison, tastes more Sour. Damn good.

Pours hazy blonde with tinges of orange. Fluffy white 2 inch head
Smells of apricots with a nice tart backbone. No real funk from the brett - I would have believed this was a fruited Berliner - but it does smell great regardless
Subtly tart with really solid fruit flavors - nothing blowing me away, and the brett isn't showing through, but exactly as it says on the box
Good crisp mouth feel and light body - refreshing

Overall an excellent beer. Quite similar to the Schlafly's Apricot sour that came out earlier in the year. A little more soft and understated in the fruit. If this had a bit more brett character to add some complexity it would be amazing, but it is still damn tasty as it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015-10-17
22oz bottle flown in by my dear wife. Date on the bottle is 7/17/15. I assume that's bottled on. Served in a pair of chalices.

Pours very hazy pale yellow with a big head. Smell is tart and apricotty.

Taste is strong apricot and medium tart. Strong sweet/tart characteristic, but not super tart.

Mouthfeel is very thick and full. Overall, interesting, tasty beer.