Communal Table Beer
Haw River Farmhouse Ales

a unique brew to say the least, with a sturdy multigrain sort of malt base, robust for such a light and low alcohol beer, i love the nuance there, not oversimplified despite being designed for high consumption rate. lightly orange in color with a half inch of fizzing head and a little cloudiness to it. the nose is funky brett, winey and tannic and also belgian and estery, over the top really, it kind of takes over the aroma a bit, not super mature on the brett and possibly over pitched, but fruity and fitting in well with the malts. i get some black pepper and clove sort of spice to the yeast, a white wine sharpness, kind of refreshing there, a little cheesy immaturity from the brett, and notes of dried apricot, pear, and apple from it as well. the carbonation is nice, the relative dryness is right on, and the flavor is quite complex for something so low alcohol. its a touch astringent though, and the weird brettiness is fatiguing after a few drinks, im not sure i actually would want to drink on this all night, but its an interesting angle for the style and a pretty enjoyable beer overall, even if the brett part tastes a little amateur. ill look for more haw river stuff next time i am out there!

 

 

 

Clean orange body with a patchy soapy head. Smell is funky Brett and mild toasted grain...wet hay, flowers, dried fruit, and oak. Flavors of leather, barnyard, hazelnuts, grass, and grain. The brandy barrel stays in the background but adds an interesting layer. Soft, creamy feel dries out in the finish. Nice funky table beer.

 

 

 

 

A: Pours a lightly hazy medium to dark golden orangish honey in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass and a hint of amber + copper highlights. The beer has a two finger tall foamy light beige head that quickly reduces to a large patch of thin film covering the surface of the beer almost completely with a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of funky barnyard/hay-like brett and toasted grainy malts. There are lighter notes of oak and slightly sweet brandy with a hint of grassy hops.

T: Upfront there is a moderate flavor of toasted grainy malts with just a hint of caramel sweetness. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of funky barnyard/hay-like brett funkiness and light flavors of slightly sweet brandy and oak. Light flavors of grassy hops impart a touch of bitterness in the finish which does not linger.

M: Light to medium bodied with slightly heavier than moderate amounts of active visible carbonation.

O: Very enjoyable and easy to drink, I could see this pairing very nicely with a number of different foods/cheeses. The brandy barrel aging combined with the brett add a very complex element to the flavor and aroma that is quite enjoyable. Definitely one that I would want to have again - hopefully next time on draft.