Dry Hopped Oak Theory - Citra & Simcoe
Casey Brewing & Blending and Barrel Cellar

From a 750 ml bottle (bottled February 23, 2016) to a tulip.

A-The beer is a pretty, light-golden color. It is still and clear after the initial wave of carbonation settles. The head is short and the white foam fades almost immediately, leaving no lacing or film.

S-The aroma is quite sour. A lemon-drop-like pucker pulls at my glands and never really stops pulling. Flavors suggest lemon, some lime, a little bit of green grass, some floral hints, and that big sweet-tart sourness. The beer is relatively clean and dry with little funk to be found.

T-The taste mostly tracks the smell. A big, clean acidity scrapes my palate clean with each sip. Lemongrass comes to mind, along with some floral flavors, mild green grassy notes, some white vinegar, and flinty mineral notes. The beer is quite dry and the finish is long and tart.

M-This older bottle still has quite a bit of carbonation. The beer is lighter in heft than average and it leaves a light coating on my palate.

O-The amount of sourness mostly overpowers the more delicate flavors that might be found in this Oak Theory. I won't say I didn't like this, but I would drink other Casey beers before this one if asked again.

 

750 mL bottle. Lightly hazy orange with no head. Smells of lime, oak, grapefruit, some tropical fruits, and a nice acidity. Tastes of lime, too. Strong lime. Grapefruit. Oak and resiny hops. Oak is the strongest in the back end. Medium body. Dominated by hops. It's really nice and very flavorful, but it's intense hops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

750ml bottle, stamped Citra & Simcoe, dated 2.23.16, poured into a Casey Stemmed Wine Glass.

The beer pours a bright golden color, straw hues with a hazy and cloudy complexion. A finger or so of fizzy and soapy white head, good retention and plenty of spotted lace. The aroma is very citrusy and very tart. Lots of lemon zest, grapefruit, wildflower, funky oak a touch of pine and even a bit of lingering white wine vinegar. The flavors are a lot more developed, especially as this opens up and warms. Juicy hops lead the way, citrus, tropical fruit, wildflower with some nice tartness, straw, mineral water brings out some lemon zest while a touch of pine and earthy hop spice lingers, though this stays very bright and delicate throughout. The mouthfeel is good, lively and zippy, coats very well with a medium body and plenty of carbonation. The finish is tart and very dry, but not abrasive or unpleasant.

Verdict: A very nice hoppy wild ale from Casey. Very clean, bright and delicate, nice balance of flavors and quite refreshing. This definitely starts out incredibly tart and lemony, almost like a sour candy, but as it warms and aerates, it develops into a really nice wild ale that is more subtle and complex.