Bloom
Hudson Valley Brewery

 

A pinkish mauve color gets displayed within a clear glass liter mug once the contents of a pint can were fully emptied into it. There's a modest aroma of sour cherry and not much more. Very little light violet head was produced and it lasted not at all. There's some tartness and some sourness to taste within this dark chocolate and cherry infused ale. The lactose mellows all the flavors and likely reduces the sour character. So, this isn't close to being a dessert beer that might be expected when the ingredients include chocolate, cherry and milk sugar. The body runs thickly for a fruited sour, lactose no doubt the reason. There was no glass lacing to comprehend in between quaffs. Overall, the lactose doesn't really add much, except to the body and disguising the ABV. But, even there, it might be unnecessary to making this good, as its price is a lack of sharply defined tastes and a good sour bite.

 

Outstanding fruit up front, actually works on lactose. Long finish of complimenting fruity citrus hops. Berry aroma. Orange reddish. On draught at Hops Hill.

14 oz. pour on draught at the brewery. Serviced in a teku glass. It pours a rosy-dark orange color with a thin ecru cap and modest lacing. Style points for the color. When first poured there wasn't much of a smell but as it warmed it blossomed (pun intended) with cherry and red berry, lemon, and notes of chocolate and soft floral hops. The taste is outstanding! It opens with sour cherry and lemon with delicate hints of chocolate in the background. The raw wheat and malted oats add both thickness and sweetness to balance the tartness of the fruit. One thing that sets Bloom apart is the use of Simcoe hops which provides noticeable bitterness. This ale has a plush, creamy mouth feel with a pleasant level of carbonation, and the 8% ABV gives it good substance without distraction. Overall, Bloom is a World-Class Kettle Sour from a brewery that excels in the style. It offers lots of flavor and drinks like an IPA.

 

 

 

 

Drank from a 16 fl. oz. can purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
Served in a tulip

Impressive appearance. The hazy, plum colored body was topped by a frothy, finger-tall, light pinkish-tinged crown that quickly fell to a medium sized collar. After each sip, a wall of spotty lacing cascaded down the front of the glass.

The aroma was outstanding. Super fruity and bright. Even though this was a cherry-infused beer, my first guess would be blueberry. There was an intense vanilla presence as well that almost came across as slightly artificial. Sweet overall but not excessively so. Touch of floral character too. As the beer warmed, the cherry presence was a bit more noticeable. I definitely did not pick up the chocolate however.

The flavor profile was also really solid. Again, there was an intense berry-like presence from start to finish. I might guess raspberry or blueberry versus cherry however. Vanilla notes also came through strong. Bit of floral or tea-like notes as well. More tart berry/cherry on the back end and the finish. The sourness and acidity were both pretty intense for a Hudson Valley beer.

The mouthfeel solid but pretty standard. Medium bodied for the style. The liquid contained a finer beaded, slightly subdued effervescence. As the beer moved along the palate, it fluffed up a bit.

Despite the fact that the cherry in this was hardly noticeable and the chocolate was completely undetectable, this beer still rocked. Of all the breweries out there doing fruited sours, Hudson Valley are still one of the best and the most unique in their approach.