Fancy Stuff
Matchless Brewing

 

A big thanks to the founding father of the canquest, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a bright golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of a variety of fruits. Taste is citrus, some tropical fruits, a bit of champagne, zero bitterness. Feels medium/light bodied and a bit dry in the mouth and overall is an easy drinking and decent beer.

 

Appearance is pale straw that initially pours crystal clear but develops a pretty significant haze. A loose white head dissipates quickly leaving minimal lacing. The aroma has a subtle malt presence and lemon peel. Flavor is similar with light citrus hops and a mild malt presence. Mouthfeel is clean and dry.

 

 

 

Fancy Stuff pours aglowing soft yellow. A bit odd of an opacity to it, as most Brut beers I have seen have been crystal clear and brass colored. This is still a pretty looking beer though. It has a rocky foam of a white head, which also unfortunately resides to a forgotten state.

The smell is simple and fresh. Citra is quite noticeable, giving off waves of lemon and lime, and is backed up by honeydew melon. A simple crushed cereal and white rice sweetness support the malt end of the picture.

Following the aroma, the flavor boast with simple grain sweetness. And unlike the aroma, the grain dominates, not the hops. A good helping of lemon and lime zest carry on in the finish.

It's a well carbonated beverage for sure. Spritzy almost. Well balanced too. Starts sweet, finishes with just a touch of bitterness and finishes exceptionally dry.

Overall, this is like a Pilsner with some pazzazz, as the Frau puts it. I agree, but maybe more like a Kölsch. It's crisp lively body, simple sweet make up, and light hop flavor make it very enjoyable and exceptionally easy to drink.

 

 

 

Poured from a 16 ounce can into a IPA glass.

Look- Straw, hazy, fluffy head, above average head retention and lacing.
Smell- Citrus, floral.
Taste- Citrus, slightly piney, well balanced.
Feel- Thin body, average carbonation, slightly watery.

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a light to medium golden amber with a thin white head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of nearly neutral malt, citrus and odd tropical hops. Flavor is pale malt with a hint of caramel, citrus hops with the same odd, overripe tropical fruit component. Finishes crisp and moderately dry with citrus rind hop bitterness. Medium bodied with slight creaminess and appropriate sharp carbonation. I like my IPAs malty, and suspected that this style would not be my favorite. It is interesting, simulating the dry crispness of champagne, but still clearly a hopped malt beverage. There is an odd fruit taste that is exotic, but unidentifiable, possibly from the Topaz hops, because it does not taste like Citra. Not really keen on that fruit flavor profile. This delivers what it promises, but I'll have to try a few more brut IPAs before deciding whether this is a style to follow. It is quite refreshing on a hot evening.