State Of Funk #4 - Believing In Us
Yazoo Brewing Company

Savory and sweet, Yazoo's State of Funk, release number four hits the tastebuds on all cylinders as the flanders-style red ale takes a nice long slumber in port wine barrels for a dark acidity laced with a rich and fruity tang.

State of Funk #4 pours with a rusty melange of hazy reds and browns before swirling with a delicate lacy froth. Its scent pierces the senses with the strong presence of acetic acids. Winey, balsamic, pitted fruit and toast hit the nose with a firm whack of sourness that tightens the jaws and wets the whistle immediately. Soft sweetness is candied, toasty and nutty to start, before the sourness sets in.

But then the sweetness relaxes and the strong taste of dry cider, red wine and balsamic cleanse the malts from the tongue and then splashes the tastebuds with acidity that shares nuances of cherry, fig, date and apple. The oaken complexities trail with their own nuttiness of peanut skins and creates a bridge to the beer's savory balance. Aged Madeira, soy and a nearly chocolate and molasses robust taste surrounds the finish.

Medium light and trending dry like bordeaux wine, the beer's savory and sour finish is a yin and yang of big flavor but slim texture. A spicy finish is slight with acetone as the alcohol rounds out a medium length finish of fruit skins and peppercorn.