Tasting Shapes
The Brewery at Four Star Farms

This just turned up at work. Got a can free. Poured from tallboy into pint glass, paired with room-temperature reuben sandwich.

First thing I notice is that the very opaque golden color with lingering head, good ring, and dense lacing is absolutely gold-standard for the variety. The second thing I notice is that beers are supposed to smell like things, and this does not. If I really lock in, it smells not like pineapple, but maybe like pineapple La Croix. Maybe I'm getting Covid. I dunno. Tastes great, though!! Slightly sweet, as-advertised "fruit cup" notes up front and then a crisp finish. Remarkably pleasant and easy to drink. We love an oat base. Probably my favorite beer this brewery's put out! I'm happy, overall.

From a 16oz can, undated. Purchased at the brewery 03/25/23. Served in a spiegelau IPA glass.

Pours a thoroughly cloudy, milky orange with two fingers of soft, fluffy suds. Retention is excellent, leaving a thick, creamy cap and a solid curtain of foamy lacing.

Nose is soft, yeasty, fruity and floral. Aroma puts me in mind of orange cupcakes with vanilla frosting.

Taste fails to follow through on the nose, being grainy and slightly harsh with a bitter astringency and very little of the softness promised by the aroma. Tasting orange pith, lychee-kiwi-gooseberry and baking soda.

Feel is juicy, medium bodied and brightly carbonated. Nothing wrong with the mouthfeel; it’s pretty much spot-on to the style.

Overall, a bit of a mixed bag here. Every aspect hits right on… except it just didn’t taste that great. I mean, I get what they were going for here - the malted wheat lends a spicy note but it turns sour against the citrusy hop, and the flaked oats definitely soften the mouthfeel but lend nothing to the flavour.

Huge props for brewing with their own hops and malted wheat! Equally huge demerits for selling an IPA in an undated can. So, sort of a washout on that score I guess.