Apricot Vista
August Schell Brewing Company

 

Bottled January 2016.

Even a vigorous pour yields a minimal head of foam sitting on top of a hazy apricot coloured liquid..see what I did there? Can't say I see any lacing.

The smell makes up for the short comings of the appearance. Loads of apricot aromas, sour, light Brett, deep whiffs reveal a fruity sweetness.

Nicely tart from the apricots, light Brett, some acetic sourness, light sweetness, this is a fine variant of the Berliner Weisse style.

Pretty lively carbonation and light body.

Another hit in my book by August Schell.

 

750ml
Corked & caged
$14.99
Keyport Liquors - Superior, WI

Bottled: 1/16

Apricot VIsta is another pretty beverage in the long line of pretty Noble Star Series beers. It's tarnished golden with a goodly amount of orange hues running throughout. This beer simply glows. While the off-white foam reaches a fizzy, bubbly half finger on the pour it quickly dissipates to nothing. Though the head fizzles out there is no lack of tiny carbonation bubbles running to the surface from nearly ever point of the glass.

This still smells pretty damn good but time has certainly taken its toll. Faint peach rings are the background fruitiness present but what's more front and center is the a dry straw brettiness and a dry, splintered wood barrel presence. Damp wheat brings about the most prominent figure. The apricot has faded but what remains is a pleasant addition.

The apricot has faded in the flavor as well, a touch runs from front to back bringing a slight sweetness but it's not the showcases that it was prior. Wet stone minerality and a dry hay present compliment the rather tangy, in control damp wheatyness of the malt bill.Everything seems to work in unison, complementing instead of pulling in opposite directions.

The mouthfeel hel up well, the bubbles and prickliness. The body itself is on the lighter side of the spectrum while the carbonation is dialed up to tongue awakening levels. It's effervescent and bright with a tongue grabbing acidity that manages to stay out of the throat. The finish is bone dry and this guy will quench some thirst.

Apricot Vista was one hell of a beer when it was first released and although this has lost some of it's brightness of the last three years it still drinks very well and better than most Berliners on the market today. The acidity is well dialed in, and the brett addition is well balanced to the overall wheat presence.

 

 

Dark orange, no head, super hazy. Smells like apricot and plastic. Very mild apricot flavor, maybe a touch of cracker. Overall it is decent but probably better suited from summertime drinking.

Pour is a turbid apricot color with a light tan head that dissipates in seconds. Aroma is dominated by ripe apricots and a hint of the Brett.

The taste is all about the the juicy apricots and a slightly tart, funky component from the Brett. Schell’s does this style exceptionally well, and this beer is yet another example.

Poured from a 750ml bottle, bottle date marked as 'JAN 2016'.
Looks like an apricot in the glass, no head, no lacing.
Smell is sour apricot.
Taste is tart, apricot.
Tart taste fills the mouth, scrapes the teeth.
Has aged wonderfully. Beautiful appearance in glass and aroma/taste profile follows perfectly. Would certainly buy more, if found.

 

 

 

15 months old when reviewed. I think that probably hurt the beers effervescence, but did wonders for the flavors. Very little head on an orange body not all that different than an apricot. Nose has lots of vinegar and tang with hints of sour fruit. Taste is wonderful - there isn't a lot of sweetness here and I love the notes of almost underripe apricot that I get. Body could be a little lighter to let the flavors dance, but aging.