Marigold
Cruz Blanca Brewpub

 

 

 

not sure what i expected from this super unique brew, but its got some neat flavors going on, not sure i have ever had anything like this before. so many interesting beers in here, highly recommended! i get everything from belgian abbey malt and candy sugar, to blackberries and currants and dried cherries, to roasty coffee and cocoa, and even a little tangy thing as well, super interesting, complex, and well composed. the coffee is really cool in it, at once very deeply roasted, almost smoked, but then also with a lighter fruity complexion that brings out a lot of berry character, plenty of bitterness and acid from it as well, of all the ingredients in here, the coffee stands out the most for me. i think the fruit and dark grain and sweetness and java all come together really well, its spicy, sweet, and super unique. the alcohol is well hidden, but this is still best as a sipper, letting it warm up really allows some of the nuances to come out. things like prunes and raisins and sour cherries at the end, a hint of vanilla, molasses, and the coffee. its unique and its awesome, like a lot of the beers we had in here. i love this place!

750 ml bottle into a tulip snifter. Had 3/26/18.

Pours a beautiful deep purple color, with a two and a half inch head of light purple foam with good retention, and lots of foamy lacing. Aromas of black raspberries, coffee, malt, some yeast, light chocolate, a little brown sugar and dates. The taste is more locked in- coffee, black raspberries, malt, light chocolate. Smooth, a solid medium body, well carbonated on the high side- a bit fizzy.

While this is pretty focused on the black raspberries and coffee, it’s really good at that focus. Have also had on tap a couple of times over the past year, and it’s consistently good. Bottles are at a high price point if it matters, otherwise well worth a purchase. A draft and some shrimp tacos are a great investment if you can get there.