Strange Brut
Beachwood Brewing - Huntington Beach

 

 

Type: 16-oz. can
Glass: Clear 16-oz. Bruges beer glass
From: Windmill Farms in Del Cerro (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $3.79
Purchased: Feb. 27, 2019
Consumed: Feb. 27, 2019
Reviewed as: Brut Style
Misc.: Canned on Dec. 19, 2019

Didn’t pick this up last time I was at Windmill Farms because the canned on date was too old. Apparently a week later this was fine for me. Was kind of digging this style of beer and figured Beachwood would do it right. Was labeled as, “Bright, aromatic, and refreshingly dry, Strange Brut is sure to dazzle your palate!” Malts mentioned on the can were Canadian Pilsner and Flaked Wheat, with the hops going down as Citra, Huell Melon and Mandarina Bavaria. Not a Huell Melon fan at all, but would seem to work with Brut IPAs. Was excited to try it.

Poured a pale yellow straw color with 2-to-3 fingers of off-white rocky head. Lots of fast moving bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. Good spotty, watery lacing. Good retention. (Sight - 3.75)

Smelled stone fruit, funky barnyard, almost Brett like if I didn’t know any better, Citra, lime zest, bubblegum, Huell Melon, grass and herbal. Got more earthy malt from the can than anything else with mainly Citra. (Smell - 4.00)

Taste was not as good as the smell, which may be chalked up to it being nine weeks old. Maltier than most Brut IPAs I’d had before. Got dry Huell Melon, stone fruit, grass, lime zest, herbal, pepper spice, barnyard funk, hints of caramel and bubblegum. (Taste - 3.75)

Light body. Oily-to-thin texture. Lively carbonation. Dry finish. (Feel - 4.00)

This was very good for the style. Probably more in the middle for me. (Overall - 3.75)

3.84 | 86 | B+

I'm obsessed! This is so far my favorite of the Brut IPA style and I've been on a mission to try as many as possible. I picked up a 6er from my nearest Bottle Craft and enjoyed from a Selma Champagne Flute. I hope they brew more or I might just have to try my hand at brewing it myself!
L: A lovely pale straw color with beautiful bubbles and a frothy foam that dissipates somewhat quickly but leaves a nice lacing, just like champagne
S: Refreshing citrus, grapefruit, fresh cut grass, subtle pine, biscuit
T: A mildly hop flavored champagne party bursting with crisp and dry easy to drink effervescence.
F: Light Body, Palate cleansing, Dry
O: I want more! Hard to believe this is 7.3%ABV since it is so easy to drink. Definitely the champagne of beer!

 

Strange Brut lives up to it's name right out of the can. The aroma is very fruity, lots of citrus (of course) - grapefruit most noticable. Pours and looks like good ole bubbly. Then comes the taste. There is suprisingly little bitterness or even taste really - it mimics champagne almost to a T. There is some slight bitterness on the finish, way back in the throat but that's it. Not sure if this can really be called an IPA. I am curious how much hops was actually used in this beer. It almost tastes non-alcoholic, so they get points for hiding the alcohol. Not sure what to think about this one. I love Beechwood BBQ brew so I am not hating on this one, just scratching my head.

Poured from a 16 oz can picked up in SD, California.
Look: Pours straw colored with a 1/2" frothy white head with average retention (goes down to about a 1/4" and stays). The beer is perfectly clear. No real lacing was observed (from sipping) although it you tilt from side to side you see a lovely perfectly formed head lace remaining.
Smell: just fine bready and biscuity notes. crisp citrusy and floral hop aromas and subtle hints of earthy yeast.
Taste: very light sweetness, subdued bitterness. following aroma citrusy hops and earthy yeast flavors.
Feel: medium light body, crisp effervecent carbonation, semi-creamy texture and pronounced astringency (champagne like). Finishes dry and smooth but the low bitterness that is there, persists.
Overall: still trying to figure out the Brut IPA style. definitely drinkability is important here. light body and it seems all the characteristics of typical IPAs are subdued (malt sweetness, bitterness, etc.) - this is a 20 IBU IPA! - having said that I enjoy this beer and could drink more of these. it is well crafted. but.. as a style, not sure how many hop-heads will go for this in the long run.