Slushy XXL - Walker vs Vader
450 North Brewing Company

There's an epic battle brewin' in the beer universe- a battle between what is the standard sour ale and what's a smoothie. Still blurring the line that separates the two, 450 North is perfectly happy to stoke the fire with pacific nortwest boysenberry and cobbler flavors that'll have the tastebuds ready to go to war with each other.

Just like pureed prune, Walker vs Vader pours like a dense and muddy mauve while drawing in the nose with a full complement of berry, pastry and spice. A drift of tangy citrus and cider with the soothing scent of vanilla and pie crust lead into a rich taste of stewed berry, sorbet and savory pie crust as the initial taste is rife with cereal and berry.

The smoothie sour ale fully saturates the middle palate in nearly teeth churning effect with its intensity. Juicy, jammy and rich, notions of pie filling and sorbet come to mind. As the dark fruit drapes in what seems of Icee, the suggestions of vanilla soothe the senses before a tangy flavor steps in late. Finishing with a somewhat tannic bite and a citrusy tartness, the late taste is cidery, winey and bittered lightly with berry seed and fruit skin tannins.

Full bodied, off-cloying and firmly meant as a dessert beer, the malty-sweetness and fruit remnants accompany the sourness as a long aftertaste of berry skins, seeds and juice linger on the tongue.