Slushy XL - FruitNite
450 North Brewing Company

 

The struggle to win the smoothie sour game has become highly competitive. To expect to win in this competition requires a beer of extra large proportions. Some will say that its much more than a game; its a flavor.

450 North position themselves with the flavors of of blackberry, pineapple, raspberry and blueberry with FruitNite as its densely packed slushie-looking beer that clings to the glass and drifts across the nose with fruit pulp, juices and a berry filled perfume. Expectedly sweet, the underpinnings of cereal, jam, fructose and jelly is the stuff of breakfast tables.

But the star of the game is the fruit. Red berries, dark berries, tropical fruit, cider, winey spritzer and rounded with the acidic zing of vinous frui, the flavors are wrapped in a berry-like juiciness with a tangy late taste. A peppery bitterness comes with light fruit pectins and a hint of hop resins for an offset of sweetness and a balance for the fruits in a tangy, spicy and juicy finish.

Full bodied, smooth, creamy and plush on the palate, the smoothie ale's textures may be hard to drink but its pleasant to taste. A mere can shared among a full Catholic wedding party, including family, friends and plus-ones as this ale successfully beats the tastebuds into submission with relative ease if tackled alone.