Little Birdy
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

 

Type: 16-oz. can
Glass: Melvin 14-oz. Spiegelau IPA glass
From: Crossroads Country Store in Chestertown, N.Y.
Price: $10.99 for a 4-pack
Purchased: July 10, 2019
Consumed: July 12, 2019
Reviewed as: American IPA
Misc.: Packaged on June 20, 2019 at 12:29 p.m. ET

Picked this up on a whim at a small store near my aunt Jenny’s in the Adirondacks. Had gone to Crossroads on a previous trip and was impressed with the selection. Didn’t have any cell phone service, so picked this up blind. Had the other three in New York, giving them in either a 3.50 or a 3.75, noting that could change once I reviewed it. Can description read, “An exotic IPA pleasure cruise to a distant land of Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic and pure, pink guava.”

Poured a golden semi-clear color with four fingers of rocky white head. Nice mix of fast-moving bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass and what looked like pulp going side-to-side. World-class foamy spiderweb lacing. World-class retention. (Sight - 4.50)

Smelled guava, sharp Citra, pink grapefruit, Mosaic, tangerine, passion fruit, Galaxy, peach skin and citrus pulp. More of the same from the can with Mosaic and Citra really shining through. (Smell - 4.00)

Tasted almost as good as the nose with similar qualities. In order got pink grapefruit, guava, Citra, Mosaic, tangerine, citrus pulp, passion fruit, Galaxy and peach skin. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Oily texture. Lively carbonation. Juicy, citrusy finish. (Feel - 4.25)

Much better tonight out of the glass compared to the can the past few nights. Outstanding overall. (Overall - 4.00)

4.06 | 91 | A-

 

 

 

 

 

16 oz. can.
Canned 06/18/19.
3 days old.
Moderate pour yields a 5/8 inch white head over a golden straw body with some sticky lacing. Nose of tropical fruit (especially guava!) and sweet citrus. Taste mirrors nose very nicely. Nice and smooth with a gentle citrus bitterness on the finish and a real nice feel. Overall, seek this one out and you won't be disappointed. Cheers to the crew in Burlington, VT for a fine Guava IPA!

 

 

 

The ZG Little Birdy is, unequivocally, one of the best beers made in the city of Burlington. Guava is one of the most unique and intriguing additions I've seen added to a New England Style IPA. It works brilliantly. Before trying the Little Bird, I had thought that ZG's flagship Conehead was the best beer they made. Or at least, the best beer you can find at a gas station. However, the Little Birdy has all the same floral and fruity qualities of Conehead with none of the bitter and sometimes unpleasant mouth feel. Guava and fruit is immediate noticeable upon sniffing the beer. The head is made of of velvet bubbles, similar to most unfiltered IPA's. The beer tastes like a classic New England single hop IPA with just a hint of sweetness from the Guava. There's virtually no bitter flavor, something ZG is particularly good at hiding. Overall, the Little Birdie is one of my favorite beers and I get it any change I get. It's definatly the best beer I've had at Zero Gravity and is on the level of Foam Brewers and Hills Farmstead (though maybe not quite as good). And that's saying something since I live within walking distance to the place. Bravo ZG!

an awesome guava ipa here, a unique one from these guys, i am impressed with their beer every single time i go here. this time, we had the delight of being able to have the normal version of this alongside a cask version with el dorado hops added. both were amazing, but i couldnt believe how different they were. obvious in appearance this one was hazy and heady, while the cask one looked lighter in shade, a little clearer, and stiller to be sure. i like the hop profile of the base beer a little more i think, mosaic to the dome in nose and taste, but i think the guava is brighter in the cask edition, something about the el dorado and the smoother cleaner feel accent it, melon notes from the el dorado really compliment the guava, and while its not sweeter, its more forward to me in this version. i get more of the citra here too, like either the additional hops or the cask itself are a catalyst of great synergistic flavors. both are great, the original might be more drinkable on a hot summery day, still full feeling to me though. the guava is perfect with these hops and for once not married to more obvious fruit flavors like passion fruit and pineapple. so fun to be able to have these side by side too. i think they should work this additional el dorado into the all the time recipe!

 

 

On tap at the brewpub. Hazy orange with only a few bubbles. Smells of grapefruit and guava. Tastes of orange, grapefruit, garlic, and then guava. Has a nice mosaic bite. Guava is subtle. Medium body. Good.