The Wind And Sun
Mad Fritz

Side by side the Lewelling Spring Water variant, the base seems to be much foggier amber-gold with a taller white foam head featuring meringue-like peaks.

I love how they're unafraid of the more bitter side of saison, while still not quite as dry as your average Jester King might be. It's herbal, while mild clove phenols are measured and countered by spiced pear esters, and perhaps some tart plum too.

The medium body is softly carbonated and finishes semi-dry.

Despite being clearer gold and having a shorter head, the Lewelling seemed a little fluffier on the palate, yet contrastingly a little more bitter, at first. After 5-10 sips it does exhibit a little minerality, but also perhaps some grassy or vegetal quality. This becomes kind of nutty as it warms, actually. Strangely so. It's still tasty, but I think I prefer the regular profile more. Halfway through, this somehow became drier and less fluffy than the base--what a crazy progression and fun little side by side this was.

Considering this is the first time I have personally ever seen a brewer put their money where their mouth is, I'm not entirely sure about creating a separate entry just for using a different water profile, but I'm impressed to see someone committing to such an experiment either way.

 

 

 

i am positively fascinated by this operation, and super excited about the beers these guy are coming out with. i am shocked they have not garnered more attention so far. while this is the first beer i have had from them, its seems indicative of their quality and attention to detail overall. hope to be able to continue drinking through their lineup! this is a different kind of belgian pale, seemingly less hoppy, more grain focused, light crackery but flavorful there, and less belgian in the yeast sense, more of a fruity saison strain, short of funky but with an earthy rustic character about it and notes of apple, pear, and grass. the mouthfeel is what has me here though, grainy and big, but also smooth and round, with absolutely no residual sugar and a wonderful effervescent carbonation, super fresh and alive. the clean nature of this despite its size allows for the malt and the yeast to be tasted in their seemingly purest forms, a beautiful balance is there, and they seem equally excited by the subtle oak property to this. unique barley, like elevated to a place it hasnt been before. this is a style of beer that needs a reawakening in american craft brewing, its not just about hot fermenting canned belgian strains, this is something so much more, authentic but also original, of the very highest quality. super stoked on mad fritz right now!

edit: i am more and more impressed with this each time i drink one, especially considering i think this is a single malt and single hop brew, is that correct? as good as it gets really, special beer!