Turbulent Consequence: Pearl
Block 15 Brewing - Southtown Tap Room

had to pick this up when i saw it, i love all these guys do, but i should have had a little patience with it. sounds like this is basically a gueuze, a blend of different vintages of lambic type beer, but to me it tastes a little young, good as it is, its just super subtle on the fermentation side, like i bet its going to evolve insanely well over time in the bottle, and part of me wishes i had waited, but how could i have known? close to clear and frothy white headed from the bottle, pale with a light brassy tint, moderate carbonation visible, aroma of wood and brett, stone fruit and white wine, maybe some starchy raw wheat in the mash, just a little citric pucker. the flavor is really good, just very mild, tastes like some of the yeast elements are still coming into their own, but this has a nice dry cereal grain base, a neat fruity forward fermentation profile, and some sturdy oak behind it, maybe a soft herbal hop note late too, dry to finish. its cool beer, wild for sure and very professionally and patiently done, but it seems understated next to some other wild beers in our lineup, and might benefit from some additional ageing. this also might be one i should have given more space to in terms of proximity to other heady beers, just let it be its own thing instead of part of a run of different things. that said, block 15 does it again with a funky beer, these guys have to be one of the least talked about stars of this genre, they always hit! brewed to pair with oysters apparently, seems perfect to me, hopefully ill get to try that pairing one day...

edit: 2019 vintage cracked last night, late 2023, not sure this one has aged super well, i found it a little stagnant, tart with less of the wild character that i remember from it, and a sort of almost salinity along with a soupy raw wheat thing. still different on the ferment enough to be intriguing, but this seemed less dialed than it did when i had it for the first time, probably past its moment, although that shouldnt be a crazy long time for something fashioning itself as lambic-esque...

Tart and funky wild flavors and aromas with a barrel finish. Great complexity and refreshing carbonation.

Classic lambic methods, eh?.... Block 15, eh?... SOLD! And what a beautiful beer she is, bragging shiny bright twenty four carat gold, agitated bubbles soaring upwards to support an appropriate mother of pearl white foam that hugs the coastline of the glass.

The aroma. My Lord, the aroma. Apple cider vinegar spiked with sweet and sour grapes. Splintered oak and even a dash of vanilla. On this warm and sunny day, nothing could smell better.

Following suit, the drink is tasty and refreshing. Sour apples, green and red grapes, wood shavings, and a dash of ginger and lime. A champagne aftertaste with a spike if that vanilla, and the slightest bit of "barnyard funk", each sip getting better and better as the liquid embraces its warmer surroundings.

It feels as it should, and exactly as its looks and aroma, even flavor, would indicate. Light. Tart. Refreshing. Slightly slick, perhaps even oily, but the acidity quickly cuts it down. An exceptionally oaky-dry finish once again maddens me as the glass empties too quickly. After each sip, an uncontrollable lick of the lips to get every drop of the tart, delicious residue.

I've said it before time and time again, if it says Block 15, I'm buying it. Every time I regret only buying one. If I see Pearl again, I'll be damned sure to buy a few. I think this beer is exceptional as is, but I would love to see how this one develops.

Cheers.

Most of the TC beers are excellent, and I love when they do a stripped down version without the fruit. The base beer has a wonderful tartness and funkiness. Doesn't compare to the funk of some of the true Belgian lambics, but I quite enjoy it.