Bhretto Blaster
Against The Grain Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tinctured with a pinch of wild yeast, the surly brewers at Against the Grain leap out of the sour gate swinging, showing that the yearning for sour ale can be relieved without robbing the piggy bank.

The hazy golden ale catches glimpses of copper and rust, building a rich lathery head to hold all those funky compounds. Burlap, weathered oak, saddle leather and horse hair are just a few of the more challenged scents that tether through a host of citrus, bubblegum, banana and peppercorn and rose.

With a churn of toast, steely caramel, peanut skin and straw, the malt influences keep the taste creamy and calm. All the while, the fruit of orange, sour grape, wine, white grapefruit and dried lime counter the spicy flavors of fresh-cracked pepper, chloraseptic, cinnamon and clove for a rustic and ancient Belgianesque flavor spread.

Finishing fruity and earthy, the taste of Fruity Pebbles make a guest appearance along with grass, straw hay and peat. Eventually, its more creamy body relaxes and the citrus wins out for a powdery-dry finish with echoes of that notorious farmy perfume.

Big bubblegum notes in aroma, with muted tropical fruit character and a hint of sourness.

Flavor is lightly vinous, appley, and very bandaid phenolic, with bitter undertones and grassy hop astringency at the finish. There's a lot going on here, and it clashes somewhat in flavor, giving a perfume impression I don't enjoy.