West Chester Reserve
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

 

 

On tap at the Iron Hill Belgium Comes to West Chester event. (Possibly from a bottle given the uncertainty in pour methods at the event.)

Pours a clear medium yellow-straw color with a thin, foamy white head. Some fuzz and not much retention. A slight reddish tint to it.

The nose starts out with a fairly heavy lactic character along with some mild breadiness and a strong dose of cherry. Flavor is quite acidic, nearly to the point of being bracing. However, the acidity is all lactic and fairly smooth for its level. No acetic character. Underlying cherry and mild earth.

Body is fairly light with good carbonation and a very dry finish. Acidity is high.

Overall, this is the prototypical American Wild Ale with quite a bit of lactic acidity and mild fruitiness, but not enough depth to back things up and really lacking in complexity compared with Belgian examples.