Santa Squishy
Oliphant Brewing

Pours light red with a well developed head. Aroma is faintly of cherry, though more closely of sour cherry candy. Taste is sour. Oooo boy. Very sour. Cherry is prominent. Does it taste like cherry cola? Kinda. Sorta. No, not really.

5.5% ABV. Fruited Berliner Weissbier with cherries, vanilla, lactose, sea salt, and cola flavor. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Who doesn’t love a picturesque, bucolic winter wonderland scene of naked Santas pulling a sleigh led by an Oliphant logo headed being?

So, it’s a cherry cola sour, eh? Sort of thing I’d usually shake my head at, but it’s Oliphant, so I have to try it.

Clear, bright crimson coloring, slim pinkish head.

In the nose:sweet cherry notes, but tart coming up behind.

In the mouth: sweet and tart together, with a tiny bit of cola flavor, just a smidge. Light bodied, refreshing, drinkable. The sea salt, once more, is noticeable in this, and the lactose makes it all the smoother. A very well rounded beverage, and quite enjoyable if you’re into this sort of thing. Me, I can take it or leave it.

You hear me, Oliphant? Makes more IPAs. Or doppelbocks, or Baltic porters. Get off this all-sour kick. I implore you. There’s more to beer than sours.

This beer pours a bright and fairly clear reddish pink with minimal head. The aroma is fresh, with tart cherry, salt, and something sweet, maybe brown sugar. The flavor features cherry and a pastry note, a decent amount of salt, not much of the cola flavor promised, but there is a brown sugar sweetness, and a mild brown spice character. The mouthfeel is gentle and light, with a creamy soft finish. Overall really well done - I was worried it would be way too sweet, but it has a nice light balance, and a gentle touch.