Thai Sour
Timberyard Brewing Company

Pours a very slightly hazy golden color with a big white soapy head that essentially vanishes after a few minutes. It looks still once the head goes away, but I've seen that with other examples of the style...right or wrong, dunno.

On the nose, the lime is initially dominant but eventually the rest of the cast comes out of the shadows. It's actually nicely restrained and brings a Thai kitchen to mind at least a little bit - thinking Tom Kha Kai. The flavoring ingredients are mild and nicely nuanced. Ginger brings an anchoring earthiness.

On the taste, the lime and citrus element come on quickly but are balanced by the basil, ginger, and eventually the Thai chilis. Very mildly sour, and feeling its a Lacto sour. The coconut lends a slight sweetness and the ginger tethers this beer nicely - not overdone to the point of dirty. I can't really find the lemongrass, but it is citrusy. There is just a hint of pineapple. The Thai basil and chilis are stars to me here. I grow both. The basil flavor is a familiar one and adds to the brightness. There is some vegetal green taste and herbal peppery spice that is then bolstered when the chili peppers show up. It's not potent, but there's a decent hot peppery lift to close the taste. Actually subtle. It's hard to find, but all this rides on a bready maltiness but man it's layers down to me.

The feel is light, and there is a very pleasant spicy Thai tingle. The favors hit and accumulate a little, but pleasantly so. Carbonation is approaching high and helps with the pallet reset.

I like this flavor a lot. I'm not finding a lot of beer-ness is the question in my mind. I can convince myself there's a malt presence, but this beer is definitely all about the other flavors.