Across The Plateau
Yazoo Brewing Company

 

 

 

Poured into a goblet glass. A clear copper-amber color with a thick and long lasting tan head appropriate for the style. The thrust of the aroma was Belgian with floral esters, banana, some stone fruit, and toffee. However, faint smoke and coffee was definitely there, seemingly darting between the traditional notes. Benton's smoke is distinctive around these parts (get their ham or bacon whenever possible), and the initial taste was all Benton's, fading fast into the more traditional Belgian flavors. On the finish, the coffee blended well with the dark stone fruit and toffee. Plenty of interesting fruity and floral elements in the mid-palate. A dry finish and lively carbonation. Overall an interesting and very enjoyable beer.

I tried this at the brewery. It poured a clear amber with white head that left some lace. The scent had roast and coffee flare. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with coffee presence. The mouthfeel was medium in body with good carbonation. Overall it was a good beer.

 

Partly shrouded in Belgian abbey mystique and partly tucked in nicely at a bed-n-breakfast nook, the Yazoo brewery teams up with statehood brewers at Blackberry Farm for a robust beer with a dry and drinkable soul, and coffee, and bacon, ...cause, well -Tennessee.

These two premiere breweries release Across the Plateau, well... across the plateaus, layering the region with a dark russet garnet colored ale, sprite with bubbly carbonation and billowing to the rim with a honeycomb structured sepia froth. Tantalizing aromas of coffee, campfire and a savory sweetness hover gently over dark fruit, spice and a brisk tingle of red wine. Sweet with a steely caramel flavor, the early palate is awash with a toasty, nutty and browned sugar taste for a supple and friendly upstart.

As the sweetness fades and the malt influence gives way to the beer's chemistry, a fruity flavor emerges in the forms of plum, blackberry, black cherry, currant and faint raisin. A quick counter of cinnamon, allspice and peppercorn offsets both the fruit and the receding sweetness while an overcast of coffee, smoke and savory saltiness gradually takes command of the late palate.

Medium full on the palate, a playful acidity joins the spices and lightens the body slightly to suggest an ale of tremendous drinkability and digesability despite its complexity or robust flavor. A twinge of red wine, peppery bitterness and toasted peanuts decorate the finish while those campfire and coffee notes resonate loudly on the after palate.