Phase Shift
Central State Brewing

 

 

This one's a challenge to rate. Unusually hopped for a sour, the bitterness and sourness clash was unpleasant at first, then kind of grows on you as you make your way through the glass. Appreciate the experimental approach.

 

 

16 ounce can into tulip glass; no can dating, but was just released. Pours moderately hazy pale golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger foamy and fluffy white head with solid retention, that reduces to a thin spotty lace cap that lingers. Light spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lightly tart lemon, lime, mandarin orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, guava, berry, red/green apple, white wine, citrus peel/zest, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, and white bread dough; with light notes of peppercorn, pine, leathery/musty funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, citrus/tropical hops, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart lemon, lime, mandarin orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, guava, berry, red/green apple, white wine, citrus peel/zest, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, and white bread dough; with light notes of peppercorn, pine, leathery/musty funk, white wine vinegar, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate lactic tartness, peppery Brett spice, and pine/herbal/floral/grassy hop bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, mandarin orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, guava, berry, red/green apple, white wine, citrus peel/zest, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, peppercorn, pine, light funk/vinegar, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, citrus/tropical hops, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with an awesome malt/tart/bitter/spiciness balance, and zero puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Moderately crisp/clean finishing. Moderate increasing dryness from tart/bitter/spiciness and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth and moderately bready/grainy/acidic/sticky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5%. Overall this is an awesome dry hopped sour pale ale! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, citrus/tropical hops, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, clean, and refreshing to drink with the mellowly acidic/sticky/drying finish, not overly lactic. Spot on profile of the Mandarina Bavaria, Citra, and Ekuanot cryo hops. Awesomely balanced juicy/lightly dank hops, Brett/Bacteria, and pale/wheat malts against acidity. A really enjoyable offering, and well made style example as expected.