Memories I Call Myself
Orpheus Brewing

16 oz can, dated 12/21/20, into Boiler Red label snifter.
A beautiful poem about the persevering, stubborn, winning nature of the grape vine. Very poetic.

Pours exactly how I'd envision a purely grape-driven sour to look - somewhere between Concord Grape Juice and a fruited sour. It develops a stable finger of pinkish-purplish head that leaves lots of lacing on the glass. Miles better than the last beer I had, but even on its own, still a stunner.

Aroma is like what I'd imagine a grape pie to smell like. Squashed red grapes and pastry crust with hints of vanilla, ice cream, coconut, and freshly painted rocking chair. Blueberry Pie a la Mode might be a good descriptor for the reader even if it's a bit more "tangy". Definitely one of the most unique smelling beers I've encountered. I like it, though.


Flavor brings viney/earthy red grapes, fresh grape juice, vanilla pastry crust, and tart sour culture in a 20%/30%/10%/40% fashion. Read that again if you have to. Really drinks like a slightly tart Merlot. Finishes on more tart grapes, pretty darn realistic, coconut shreds, and lingering lime sherbet-like culture. Belches are lime sherbet and grape soda.

Feel is clinging in a pretty offensive way, but the alcohol heat is only moderate, and the tart punch gives it an exciting vibe. Carbonation is soft to medium. I suppose the clinging is actually tannins, as this is essentially liquid grapes, and it reminds me a bit of a wine-barrel-aged beer.

Overall, I think some folks really do not pick up on nuance in beer (not a slam, just a fact) and as a result beers like this one get shafted. I think it's a good one, and there's a lot here to discuss. Orpheus makes complex beers (if you don't like complex, don't buy their beer) and they continue to impress me even when they don't initially. It usually clicks after the 4th or 5th sip.

I will continue to keep purchasing Orpheus beer.

$4.29 @ Cottage Hill Package Liquor in Mobile, AL