Just A Facade
Central State Brewing

 

 

 

 

16 ounce can into tulip glass; no can dating, but was just released. Pours a very hazy pale golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lightly tart lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, red apple, white wine, guava, berries, citrus peel/rind, pine, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, cracker, white bread dough, light pepper/musty funk, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, fruity/spicy/light funky yeast, and moderate bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, red apple, white wine, guava, berries, citrus peel/rind, pine, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, cracker, white bread dough, light pepper/musty funk, and yeast earthiness. Moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, grassy bitterness; peppery Brett spiciness; and light Brett tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart tart lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, red apple, white wine, guava, berries, citrus peel/rind, peppercorn, pine, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, cracker, white bread dough, light musty funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, fruity/spicy/light funky yeast, and moderate bready malt flavors; with a nice malt/bitter/spiciness balance. Mild astringent hop flavors lingering after the finish, but not overwhelming. Moderate increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, bready/grainy, sticky/resinous/rindy, and lightly acidic/tangy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol for 6.5%. Overall this is an excellent Brett pale ale. All around complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, fruity/spicy/light funky yeast, and moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and easy to drink with the moderately bitter/spicy/resinous/drying finish, not too overly aggressive. Surprisingly light on body, given all the oats. Very vibrant/dank/earthy hops with balanced Brett complexity; solid oat/malt backbone, with a nearly bone dry finish from lingering bitterness. A very enjoyable offering, and great style example. Reminds me of a lot of Jolly Pumpkins hoppy stuff, pretty much identical on flavor profile.