Whirled
Old Nation Brewing Co.

 

16oz can

Old Nation Whirled has a pale gold body that is a little cloudy. Atop sits a white head that did not last long. The nose is dominated by a flowery and tropical citrus aroma. The taste is lightly tart, and citrusy with pineapple noted. Mouth feel is light-medium, a little smooth and creamy on the palate.

Whirled is a different take on an American Blonde Ale than what I am used to. I am not a fan of tart or sour ales. However, I think the addition of the guava sweetness helps keep the passion fruit in check.

 

L= Yellow with a pinkish hue brew, topped by a two inch white head that fades fast, but leaves adequate fine lacing.
S= OK. Strawberry, grapefruit, rhubarb, waft of sweetness, light hops... all rather mild, with a faint mustiness that's a tad unpleasant.
T= Decent. Whirled is like IPA light... everything, ABV%, flavor intensity, pulp, hops... is all dialed way down.
F= It's a very dry brew. It makes my mouth pucker a bit, which is not something I ever want in a beer,
O= Not for me. I suppose it's a bit thirst quenching, but the pucker dulls that glimmer of hope. Tolerable and undistinguished.

 

 

 

 

Going for gold, Old Nation Brewing resists the temptation to sour when putting the tangy, tropic and tantalizing fruits of passionfruit, orange and guava to use in a summery smoothie ale.

Translucently pale and slightly foggy, Whirled releases a creamy, ivory froth along with a host of citrus, cider and tropical fruits. As its strong floral perfume drifts across the nose, its taste is smooth and creamy with breadiness, dough and shortcake.

As its malts stew about the middle palate, its the fruit flavors that quickly control the middle palate with its tropical leading taste of passionfruit and guava with a splash of orange for something of a cocktail taste dressed up as ale. Looking for more tartness, dryness and acidity, the beer falls short of expectations as it's built as a golden ale and not a sour one.

Medium bodied, dull and somewhat lackluster, the ale is a somber fruit beer compared to fruited kettle sour ale. Finishing smooth but tacky on the tongue, the ale finishes with a lack of balance either from acidity, hops or carbonation.