Lime Vaquero
Bert's Brewing

a lime edition of their pleasant mexican lager, perhaps exclusive for the tree fort event this weekend in boise, i have not seen this at their taproom yet, but it makes sense for summer, and i think if you make a mexican lager, you develop this unsatiable imperative to do a lime version, everyone does it, why not these guys too, original thinking is not really what these guys are about, its usually about quality, and they usually hit. i like this in the sense that its summery and light and the base beer is good, but its not as good as the original, i think the lime is a tad overdone, a little more perfume-like than real limes are, and it starts early and stays late even though the beer is dry and clean at the macro level. its floral in the nose, lime way in front of lager, but the subtle corn sweetness is there as well as a little additional fruity pop from the lager yeast, seems light overall so the lime really stands out, subtle jasmine or something there. the flavor is the same, some modest acidity from the lime past the center which cuts the grain, lightens it further, and adds authenticity, as actual limes are acidic, but this seems too pungent to have been made with real limes, and the way it lingers past the swallow is a bit much, even if this is still a ripper and very much in line or in fact even better than what so many others are doing in this now ubiquitous style. light body, still some subtle malt popping through, a hint of lemongrass in play, sage maybe, herbal like that behind the lime intensity, peppy carbonation makes it sing, feels right for spring which is trying like heck to arrive and stay. tasty warm weather drinker here, i like the original unflavored one better, but i see the appeal here. the lime could be toned down a bit and i think it would read more natural, but on the whole this is solid, refreshing, and repeatable.