Share & Compare (New Image Brewing Collab)
Southern Grist Brewing Co.

2-week-old can poured into a Belcher glass. Having recently visited New Image and with Southern Grist being my go-to local brewery, I was extremely excited for his collab and t turned out to be really everything I was hoping for — honestly rare for these strong brewery collaborations, which I often find unexceptional.

Starts with a quintessential hazy pour, though a slightly paler orange-gold liquid than a typical SG hazy (the heavy oat base, perhaps?). Very murky and a little starchy looking, which initially had me nervous. Finger of compact, bright white foam and consistent splotchy lacing down the glass. Looks silky, juicy, and gorgeous.

The nose is what makes this one really special. I love a strong, weedy, green onion note if there are sweet fruit juices and and piney notes to keep it balanced and interesting. First discovered that magical mix with some Aslin beers (eg, Bringing Sexy Back), and this one immediately reminded me of those. Just an awesome blast of dank, weedy greens but with an equal dose of sweet bubble gum and all three fruit baskets: citrus, tropical, and stone. It all hits together with as a remarkable and harmonious mix, after which you get layers and waves of component parts and even some new notes like coconut and honey. A little citrus pith late to provide a little pushback against all the sweetness. Best nose I’ve experienced on a hazy in quite some time.

Taste profile is much tamer, but that might be a good thing because I’m not sure how drinkable the beer would be if it fully matched that melange of rich (and mostly sweet) notes. The dank greens and abundant fruit juices are certainly present, but the beer is actually quite dry and the little bit of semi-sweetness perfectly balances the bitter greens and resin. Absolutely no starchiness or “green burn,” which is awesome — sometimes hard to get all that weedy, oniony greenery without somewhat of a starchy bite. I wish there was a touch more to the taste and just a little more sweetness. But it’s incredibly drinkable as is. Great juice vibe.

Silky smooth feel, nicely carbonated, and very soft. Maybe a touch thinner than expected, but that adds to the drinkability as well. Drinks quite light for an 8% beer.

Outstanding offering from two great breweries that found a way to compliment each other.