Ocean Blue
Ocean Lab Brewing Company

 

 

Dark orange body, clear, with a thin cap. Pungent fruit nose, mildly sweet flavor, hints of guava and passionfruit - I never would have guessed it was blueberries at its core - and a clean finish. Not necessarily my thing, but well built nevertheless.

 

 

 

Presentation: 32 oz. growler served in a tulip glass.

Appearance: Develops white, one finger head that goes down to a thin foam layer that stays until the end. Leaves some great lacing that covers the entire glass. It has a light reddish hue that turns to rose gold when held up to the light.

Smell: It's not very aromatic. Mainly malt, grain and a hint of blueberry.

Taste: Malt sweetness and a slight grainy flavor. The blueberry is definitely present in the right amount. It doesn't fall into the trap that many fruit beers do where they taste more like fruit juice mixed with beer or a carbonated fruit drink. Ocean Lab did a great job balancing this one out, it's nearly perfect. I do wish the blueberry would come through a bit more though.

Mouthfeel: It's light, crisp, refreshing with medium carbonation. A great summer beer.

Overall: This is what fruit beers should be all about. A good beer enhanced by the flavors of a particular fruit instead feeling like just beer mixed with fruit juice. It's not perfect but it does the right things where it counts. Highly recommended for fruit beer lovers and anyone who appreciates a light and refreshing beer on a hot day.