Sky Meadows
Old Bust Head Brewing Co.

Picked this up recently at the Dodge's Store in Troutville, Virginia while on my way back from the left coast. Never had anything from Old Bust Head before and this was an American Adjunct Lager that didn't quite come across as one.

Straw in hue, bright, and topped off with enough head, the lacing left behind was extensive enough but not particularly layered as each hint of rings was thick and bled enough down to the next. Lots of malt in the nose with some bread, grass, and grain as the taste was quite sharp and seemed to have some mineral in it as well. An underlying and persistent herbal undertone emerged as this warmed up as the German hops took hold, with this being quite crisp and firm for a beer of this type. Plenty of bread could be felt throughout as the alcohol was quite recessed.

That allowed for the hops to shine through, even though I wasn't too familiar with any of them. Canned on 9/12/24, this was old but had no visible sediment in it as it held up well over the last year and change. Loved the graphic design and appeal of this beer, as it felt like a Blonde Ale and not some mass-market lager. Those camping or hiking in the Old Dominion would be wise to pack this along for the duration, and thank the brewery later!

 

Light with a bit of herbal/spice character. Refreshing.

 

 

From a can into a pint glass. Had a voluminous head of white foam that paired with a gorgeous clear, pale blonde body with minor effervescence rising up. On the nose is the scent of a classic blonde lager -- notes of a malty backbone (slightly toasted bread) and a dash of herbal spice from the hops. Taste and feel are hard to untangle on this one: smooth yet crisp, with the malts evident up front but transitions nicely to a lightly herbal spice that yields a slightly malty yet slighty hoppy aftertaste. Overall an excellent offering that brings a bit of depth to the blonde ale family.