Berliner Messe
The Referend Bier Blendery

Nice and funky aroma but leans a little too one dimensional on the high-sour spectrum for me. Paired nicely with cheeses though. As a nice clean finish and nothing cloying. Good but not great.

 

 

 

unreal to find this on tap! i adore these guys, still somehow really under the radar for how great they are, at least in the west, this was an exciting one to encounter. not as compelling as any of the three variants of it that i have had over the years, but still downright fantastic, and really unique as a berliner, being totally spontaneously fermented and all. its hazy straw yellow with a short thin layer of patchy bubbles, slightly denser and less excited looking than anticipated, but not raw or messy either. the nose is striking, crazy mineral profile and ferment together, slate and wet stone to me, light chalk, green grape tang, fruity and earthy at the same time, wet and lemony and weird, way different than any other beer called berliner ive ever had, still wheaty, less european, mouthwatering, both tart and farmy. the flavor is the same, wet pavement in the best way right up front, white cranberry and juicy vinous pucker, meyer lemon, lemon curd, and honeydew melon all flash in, a substantial oak profile too which softens the acid and seems to extend this on the palate, and it warms up well, crazy complex on the fermentation side, both bretty and bacterial but an uncommon mix to me, and incredibly mature with all the wood here, but not at the expense of some brightness. not too sour to drink on, love the low alcohol, and overall its amazing beer but its the fermentation profile that makes it special. wildly original, would love to get my lips on some more of these variants! these guys are climbing my list of favorites...

 

3½yo (2017) bottle: golden, zero head retention, oak, vanillin, lemon, light acetobacter, tart.

2½yo (2018) bottle: golden, zero head retention, lemon, light hay, light acetobacter, tart, milk.

 

 

Pours a clear light straw color with a fizzy white bear that fizzles out quickly. Great light citrus sour / funky aroma. Bright and crisp, tangy acidity, funky and earthy. Loads of micro carbonation. Overall a fantastic beer, extremely flavorful and only 3.9% abv.

5/5/19
750ml bottle hand dated 4/14/18
4.5 rating

 

 

 

 

 

This one pours a slightly hazy burnt golden yellow color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like funky old lemons, flowery funk, dank citrus, oak, acidity, and orange peel.

This is cheesy in the best way, with an herbal and farmhousey funk, a bit of apple, old rotted lemons, flowers, fresh cut grass, minerals, lemon acidity, and a definite big dose of citrus.

This is very light bodied, and surprisingly clean, with a nice refreshing citrusy finish. It's super drinkable.

This brewery should not be ignored under any circumstances.

750ml bottle, bottled April 30, 2017, poured into a 12oz wine glass.

The beer pours a lightly hazy golden color, lemon hues with a tall finger of fizzy white head, hardly any retention and no lace. The aroma is nice, light funkiness that is bright and fruity, citrus peel, strong tart wheat with some floral and oak barrel character. The flavors are nice, really nicely developed funk, citrus peel, wildflower, white wine barrel, vinous and nice oak character, a bit of pear and lingering wheat. The mouthfeel is good, medium body, lively texture, coats well and finishes with a tart and dry kick.

Verdict: A very good Berliner Weissbier from The Referend. Really gueuzey funk profile, super light and delicate and very bright. Hits the right spot for the style, perhaps a bit too tart but still a really nice beer.

 

 

On tap at Cloverleaf. Overall I loved this; it minded me a lot of 3F Ouse Gueze. If you like funky, cheese geuze-like beers check this one out; really amazing to see this coming out of NJ.