Geraldine
Half Acre Beer Company

Despite having rated below the BA average all seven beers I've had from Half Acre, I consider them one of Chicago's most successful 3rd generation micros that I've still tried too little. (3rd Gen in my book got going in this Century, but before the explosion of micros in the last decade.) But as explanation for my lack of attention, HABC specializes in American styles and I'm a Belgo-phile.

I like Geraldine because she is barely a Wild. (Half Acre does call it a saison... with mixed culture.) I'd become shy of Wilds when too many micros were brewing them and really amping up the Wild. But Geraldine is a relatively mild Wild who, with its fine foam, even Looks like a saison. Smells are mostly flowers and oranges and a tad funk. Tastes are well-balanced throughout and finishes nicely tart and dry. As Wilds go, this is medium-mouthed to almost full. I drank this with a plate of ravioli spinach and pesto. Geraldine cut through the olive oil, but let the herbs work. Same with the side dish of spanakopita.

I also reviewed these six beers before I started making micro-reviews of the brewers. So I owe one to Half Acre and am glad they have grown their production and distribution to become a regional brewer, but kept working on their neighborhood feel. Impressive for a 15 year old.