Salmon Shorts Sightings
Woodburn Brewing

 

Somewhat mythical, rare and peculiar when seen, the rooibos tea, strawberry and lactose blonde ale is about as rare and curious as any salmon shorts sighting.

And the beer that carries that namesake also carries a gentle blush opaqueness and a creamy swath of foam. Salmon Shorts Sightings gets things rolling with an herbal, floral and tangy scent that's redolent of berry and a strong flowery bouquet. Creamy sweetness greets the early palate with cereal, fresh bread and a mild starchy confection tone.

And as the middle palate blooms, the individual tastes pull from the fledgling sweetness with strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb and redcurrant character. Milk sugars apply a vanilla-like sweetness to give the tart fruit impressions a soothing sense of candy and cream. Floral aromas translate to herbal flavor as the moderately bittered ale develops a finish of grassiness, geranium, cedar and sassafras.

Playfully tangy, the medium bodied beer is given a roundness from the milk sugars but seems to lighten considerably from the light acidity that brings a refreshing and crisp late palate. Nearly minty and with slight hints of tobacco, the beer's aftertaste is quick, snappy and nuanced with peppery grains.