Principia
Freethought

 

 

 

Freethought "Principia"
1 pint can, "CANNED ON 11/22/19 11:38" and sampled on 02/17/20
$4.49 @ Roger Wilco, Pennsauken, NJ

Notes via stream of consciousness: This is an interesting beer and I can't wait to get to it. It's 6% which is fairly strong for a sour beer, and it's brewed with fennel pollen, honey, lactose and lemon. It's a hazy golden in color beneath an inch tall head of white foam. The aroma is fairly bright, and it's floral, herbal, and woodsy. It reminds me of something from my childhood but I unfortunately cannot recall what exactly that is. I will say though that's it's similar to the smell of a health food store. The head has held up really well which is uncommon for a sour beer. The flavor follows the aroma and I can definitely say that I've never smelled or tasted a beer exactly like this. There may have been some gruits that have come close, and perhaps something from Plan B Farm Brewery in Poughkeepsie, New York, but this is really distinct. Given that I'm guessing that perhaps this is a love it or hate it beer but I think everyone should try it just to see. I really wish I could describe it better but I'm really at a loss. It's a little bit like a vitamin or health supplement tablet. The pollen, I think, is giving it a kind of dried grass kind of flavor. The lemon is, of course, lemon, and the honey comes through as well but not as clearly. It's surprisingly not that sour. It is tart, but not puckeringly so. Nor is it bitter but that's to be expected. It finishes dry, acidic, herbal, grassy, and earthy. In the mouth it's light-medium in body and gently crisp. In the end this is pleasant, although unusual, and I give it great credit for being inventive and unique.
Review #6,954

 

 

 

 

 

No canned on date.

Really nice golden hue to this beer, with very active, seltzery carb on the pour. Not too much head at all, just small patches of clear bubbles that congregate around the rim of the glass.

Lots of lemony aromas, but with a very refreshing balance of herbal qualities. Feigning an almost minty freshness, I definitely get that fennel punching through but with that milk sugar imparting a good sweetness as to not make the beer too tart or too aromatic on the nose.

Very fennel-forward beer, but lots of Tarragon flavors as well. This beer would pair excellently with Indian cuisine. As the herbal characteristics fade that lemon comes back strong and along with that sugary sweetness you get a good lingering flavor of lemon custard. A very solid, yet subtle, complexity to this beer.

The body is light, with a sharp, seltzery carbonation and a mildly dry breadiness throughout. A crisp, clean, refreshing sour.

 

This is a spectacular sour IPA. Looks amazing, like God’s sun beams reaching through the clouds. Smells incredible - each of the fennel, lemon, milk sugar, and lemon are individually identifiable and also working beautifully in unison. Tart, quenching. Beautifully clear and piney hop profile. Mouthfeel is incredible, like an egg fizz, carbonated but silky smooth. Intense lemondrop flavor explosion; the fennel is a touch of genius, the milk sugar is light and smooth, and the woody honey sweetness is a beautiful compliment to it all. Immensely drinkable at 6%, this is refreshing and complex, a really amazing example. Worth searching out.

lightly sour, fresh lemon, fennel pollen, fresh fennel plant, mild honey, a hint of milk sugar, beautifully aromatic, intensely refreshing, medium-full bodied