Slushy XL - Triple Berry
450 North Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

The continual blurring of the lines that separates sour ale from pie filling, 450 North is content to dabble on the other side with a triple dose of raspberry, blackberry and blueberry for an adult smoothie.

Just like mulled and macerated berries in the glass, Triple Berry pours like a muddy and jammy slushy while teasing nose with a full scent of all-things berry with a backdrop of cider and wine. A drift of pastry shops with the tangy scent of berries, ice cream and taffy lead into a rich taste of fruit glaze, sorbet and sherbet as the initial taste is dense with cereal and berry.

As the smoothie sour ale unabashedly saturates the tastebuds, its nearly teeth coating tartness is intense. Juicy and rich one upon the palate, notions of smoothie and slushy come to mind immediately. As the melange of berries fold into those icee flavors, the suggestions of sugar and berry soothe the senses before a light acidity steps in late. Finishing with a strong lean toward jam, the dark berries obviously dominate the finish.

Full bodied, tangy and firmly meant as a boozy pie filling, the sweet berry remnants couple with peppery pectins and a light hop bitterness for a sweet but spicy, fruit filled aftertaste.

Dark purple-maroon with a short puffy mauve head dying to a thin collar leaving fine waves of pulpy lace on the glass.

The sweetly smooth medium body has a fine crisp carbonation delivering vinous, herbal and super juicy berries that very much emulate a blackberry pie-like flavor. However, it's a little lighter on flavor here than you normally get with one of these Slushys. It's almost like a wine cooler, but obviously not quite with this huge punch of berries coming to a semi-dry finish. That said, blueberry and raspberry definitely take a back seat, and I'm fine with that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This beer literally tastes like a melted cup of sorbet. Incredible fruit flavor, and just enough sweetness! One of the best fruit sours i've tasted!