Grassroots Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

12 oz sample bottle delivered to me by my Great Lakes rep last week. We drank one on the spot and I saved this bottle for myself in my own fridge. Funny, he didn't really need to bring me the sample bottle since I'd already ordered a half barrel of it that morning. But who's complaining?

Into a Brewer's Art Chalice, poured a beautiful golden color with a touch of orange and a solid thumbful of white head which dissipated after a couple minutes leaving a good amount of lacing around the top inch of the glass. Not quite as bright as I'd have expected with noticeable yeast or proteins suspended in the beer.

Smell is a musty mixture of springlike aromas: fresh cut grass, damp earth, and chamomile. Taste is similar with a pronounced fruitiness and spiciness that could be herbal or yeast-based. A touch of musty tartness remains on the back of the tongue after the beer has left.

The high carbonation keeps this beer very alive in the mouth. Add in the aforementioned touch-of-tart and I could see myself quaffing a few of these on a hot summer afternoon. Of course, I should be certain to alternate with lemonade, because otherwise the 6.2% ABV is nearly imperceptible and I'd find myself quickly on the happy road to dehydration.

Another solid beer from Great Lakes Brewing.