Fireface
Central State Brewing

Crystal clear, transparent light golden brew, topped by a sizeable white head. Retention, production, and lacing are all outstanding.

Nose is a vegetal-tinged presentation of a dry-hopped saison - really, right in line with the description. Bubblegum, straw, peppers, lemon, honey, pineapple; very pleasant, and very inviting. Really no hint of the very high ABV for the style.

Flavor is difficult to read, and it definitely takes a few sips to nail down the profile. While the jalapeños add no heat, they do add a green, vegetal tinge right up front, giving a grassy, almost citrusy edge to the profile that lasts throughout the sip - coming back with a vengeance on the back end, really. Other tones are very light honey, wheat, cracker, lemon, and just a touch of pineapple - but really, very little (I would not have guessed pineapple was added if the can didn't inform me of the fact - nor jalapeños, for that matter, although the vegetal, peppery influence is much more overt). Plenty of hops add to the overall brightness and vegetal effect, although they don't stand out in particular.

Crisp and refreshing, semi-dry - really no hint of the 8.5% ABV, and drinks quite smoothly.

I don't quite know what they were going for here: the sweetness of pineapple, the heat of peppers? Neither really presented as such, which makes me wonder why add them at all. All of that said, this is a very tasty farmhouse ale, and I'm finding myself enjoying it more with each sip.

 

16 ounce can into tulip glass; no can dating, but was just released. Pours slightly 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 foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lightly tart lemon, lime, tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit, citrus peel/rind, peach, pear, passion fruit, red apple, mango, melon, berries, jalapeno, peppercorn, pine, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light leathery/musty funk, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/spicy yeast, citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, fruit, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart lemon, lime, tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit, citrus peel/rind, peach, pear, passion fruit, red apple, mango, melon, berries, jalapeno, peppercorn, pine, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light leathery/musty funk, and yeast earthiness. Moderate peppery yeast spiciness; pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, grassy bitterness; and light Brett/fruit tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit, citrus peel/rind, peach, pear, passion fruit, red apple, mango, melon, berries, jalapeno, peppercorn, pine, hay, straw, herbal, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light leathery/musty funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/spicy yeast, citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, fruit, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with a great malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and no astringent flavors after the finish. Moderate increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness and carbonation. Medium-plus carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, bready/grainy/sticky, fairly resinous/rindy, and light acidic/tangy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 8.5%, or lingering pepper heat. Overall this is an excellent fruited Belgian IPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/spicy yeast, citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, fruit, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and easy to drink for the ABV with the moderately bitter/spicy/drying finish, not overly aggressive. Very well attenuated for the ABV. Says they grilled the fruit, but you can't taste it. Great balance of juicy/dank/earthy Mosaic hops, Brett/Saison yeast complexity, and fruit; with a solid pale/wheat malt backbone, and no residual sweetness. A very enjoyable, unique, and well made offering as expected. Not overwhelming on any aspect.