Embrace the Funk - Teff
Yazoo Brewing Company

Perhaps keeping history alive, Yazoo uses their "Embrace the Funk" series to extend the nearly extinct Teff African sour ale life into the present.

Simply named "Teff", the grains by this namesake help the ale to achieve a toasty burnt orange, light amber and deep golden hue before swirling with a dainty lace of foam. With a sharp and slightly pungent nose, the beer shares a floral nature of honey, citrus, weathered woods, slight leather and a rye-like grain spice. Tepid sweetness creeps onto the early palate with a slight floral sweetness of honeysuckle but also a curious hint of toasted graham cracker in a scantly malted introduction.

As the sourness develops on the middle palate, the fruit impression spring to life with lime, lemon, grapefruit, orange peel and dried pineapple. Each of the fruits take on a leathery, branch-dried and weathered sensations with a mustier, winier tone. As its sourness strips the thirst from the palate, it provides a citrus, vinous an off-vinegar sourness that trends earthen in taste with suggestions of dried oak, brine, pepper and pine in a slight gin-like finish.

Light, crisp, dry and refreshing, the uniqueness of the teff grain and its more floral honey attributes make this beer uniquely African, finishing with a jaw-tightening acidity and a brief linger of dried grasses, woods and herbs. It's basically an African lambic with a true indigenous twist.