Berry Pavlova
Armistice Brewing Company

Mom used to make these elaborate mixed-berry pavlovas on the Fourth of July, probably because raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries piled atop billows of whipped cream and a cracked cloud of meringue were suitably patriotic in color. Her last fourth found her wheelchair-bound, but she still managed to direct a gaggle of friends in the kitchen in what became known as The Friendship Trials of 2014.

What ensued was an unsubtle and inelegant competition-by-proxy over who knew her the best through attempting to recreate her signature pavlova. While there were no winners that day, the beer inspired by The Friendship Trials is certainly a contender. At half lactose-laden tart ale and half mixed-berry puree, it is only just barely a beer, by legal definitions.