Wild Sumac
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.

a berliner with wild sumac in it, and while the beer is a quality notch or two off from fully professional (a theme across a lot of their beers, not as a negative per se, just as an observation), the flavors work brilliantly together and what this lacks in execution it more than makes up for in creativity and terroir and originality and all of that. i came here looking for unique local beers with local ingredients, and this is really the only brewery where my itch was scratched, so props for that! the sumac is interesting, not sure ive had it in beer before, certainly nothing that features it this prominently. its floral and tart, with an underripe raspberry note, an edible flower almost peppery aspect, and i think a little sweetness. its amazing with the bright citrus note in the lacto profile here, really clean and drying, but also very flavorful for the style, excellent together, they compliment each other so well. the wheat base is really light too, so the sumac and the bacteria can really dance, and dance they do! light and tart, floral and vibrant, living and weird, truly distinct and the kind of beer that is inspired and inspiring enough that any technical shortcomings are easily forgiven, at least for me. i dug this!