2020 Cuvée
Hermit Thrush Brewery

Canned 3/24/21. “2.5 year cuvée” stamped on the side of the can

My trip to Hermit Thrush yielded 2 of the annual cuvées. The 2017 one I already had was damn good, and I’m expecting this one to be even better since it’s fresher. Let’s crack it open and find out if my assumptions are correct

Pours a lightly cloudy deep orange with a finger of soapy white head that fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing

The nose is gentle but it has a nice sharpness to it as well. I’m picking up on aromas of apple skin, white wine vinegar, smooth oak, stone, lemon zest, wet hay, bready malt, mango skin, and jammy apricot

It’s sharper in taste but not too much. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting red wine vinegar, sharp oak, wet hay, apple skin, lemon juice, wildflower honey, bready malt, and pear. The swallow brings notes of lemon zest, stone, wet hay, sharp oak, apple skin, white wine vinegar, crackery malt, white pepper, pear, light honey, and jammy apricot

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a sharp and crisp beer. Finishes mostly dry and refreshing

This one was actually not as good as the 2017. It’s still solid but just less complex