House Party Vol. 2
Central State Brewing

 

 

On tap in a pint
L - cloudy hazy smaller head than would be expected from a Brett
S - nothing special. Run of the mill wild ale scent
T - not very funky for a 100% Brett. The kick is there in the front and back end but not as pronounced as I would have liked.
F - very carbonated. First few sips were a little much but it either died down or I got used to it as I continued drinking.
O - I expected a lot more but that might be due to all the hype around Brett right now. Keep in mind this is a 4% abv so don't expect big funky flavors

Showing that "extreme" doesn't necessarily equate "big", Central State goes in that direction by using what's simple about all the pieces and parts that's available in the brewmaster's cupboard.

House Party, Volume 2 pours the promised golden straw hue with the cloudiness that's expected also from rustic Belgian farmhouse brews. Capped with a cottony-white whipped topping, tangy citrus bounces onto the nose, preceding dry tropical wafts and a softly earthen perfume of pungency and musk. Supple in sweetness, a gently rolling malt character is of sweet wheat and lightly powdered sugar.

Its veil of sweetness and breadiness lifts swiftly to expose its hop and yeast influence underneath. White, under-ripened orange and grapefruit carry much of the load with tethers of dried pineapple complementing the mix. Expressive carbonation keeps the taste bright and refreshing, even as the flavor of balsa, burlap and musty cork provide a woodsy and earthy spirit to the citrus. Closing flavors of bitter citrus pith with skins accompany an acute bite of dry hay, grass clippings and peppercorn.

Light in body, the beer offers a high rate of consumpiton because of its fleeting sweetness, drying hops, arid yeast character and peppery effervescence. As the ale exits the palate swiftly, it leaves behind a short aftertaste of pepper, earth and an echo of wheat.