Upsetter
Honest Weight Artisan Beer

A- 375ml bottle pours into a tulip with a brown-black body and a massive crown. The head is thick and foamy textured and rises very quickly to about three fingers high with great retention. Looks very soft and creamy. Lacing is impressive to say the least. Huge blankets of foam decorate the entire bulb of the tulip.

S- Hints of berries and a light tartness right off the top. Dark and bitter candi sugar, peaches, rye and oak, Belgian yeast spice and dark fruits like plums and raisin with that candied, caramelized note to them. Raspberries grow as the beer warms up. Malts bring toasted nutty notes as well as roast, caramel and bready hints.

T- Hard to describe it as subtle but in a way it is as the flavor finds a nice balance between the fruits, yeast and the malts without anything begging for attention; this is a great thing in this case. Belgian yeast is bold with a spiciness right up front as well as strong notes of plum and a bit of raisin next. Overall it is dry and phenolic from that strong yeast. The raspberries become quite a bit more subtle here but there are fruity, seedy and jammy notes throughout as well as a touch of oak and rye barrel. Bitter roasty, caramel and strong toasty malt notes which serve to accentuate that bold Belgian yeast flavor. A hint of peach later on.

MF- Dried out, bitter and medium bodied with a very high, fluffy almost effervescent level of carbonation. The beer has a foamy and slightly creamy texture and it ends with a pretty strong dry bitterness and warming booze.

Not always a fan of Dark farmhouse brews and the description of the beer had me a bit worried that too much might be going on but in the end the yeast runs the show and Honest Weight is able to find balance between yeast, malt, fruits and barrel. Refreshing to see an affordable local brew on the shelves with such brewing technique. Love the intense Belgian yeast flavors and the hints of fruit in the aftertaste.

 

 

Poured from a 375 ml bottle purchased at the brewery into the test glass.
A - Deep ruby darkness, hides gentle carbonation. A thin off white froth resides through the experience.
S - Earthy grains meld seamlessly with dark fruit, cheery flesh, red raspberry, spicy on the nose.
T - Follows the nose well, add that kiss of rye, white pepper, anise, and blackberry reduction
M - Thin on the palate, carbonation is spot on, sweet start is ushered out with a nice tart wave. The experience finishes with a berry medley concentrated on the center of the tongue. Sweet and tart roll together effortlessly.
O - What a true delight, nowhere is the 10+% evident, sweet and tart, the rye barrel touch adds a delightful spice. This feels like a young deconstructed Quad. In the best ways. Like elements on display. Very creative, executed and offered.