This beer pours a very bright pale copper. It has a thin, off-white head that lingers on the edge of the glass.The aroma evinces mild perfume notes (rose) and various fruits (strawberry, pear). Also, a very subtle wood aroma is detectable, possibly from the hops. The malt is indistinct, but mildly sweet-smelling. This beer is moderately sour from the fermentation with wild yeast strains. Some malt sweetness remains, so it is not intensely sour or one-dimensional in that regard. The hop flavors are herbal, somewhat earthy and a little woody. The hints of fruit from the aroma are present as esters that, combined with the sourness from the fermentation, have a slightly sour cherry character, which lingers through to the finish. The body, as expected, is light, but the carbonation balances well to provide additional texture mid-palate and in the finish. This is a good entry-level sour beer -- it is not assertively sour, but provides a light approach to this more experimental and adventurous area of the beer spectrum. Overall, it is not very complex and will probably not stand out for those who do enjoy sour beers and are looking for more dimension when they pick up a glass of one.
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Tell-Tale Tart
Description
Deriving its name from Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale of madness and murder, our newest Smokestack Series release takes a predictably lighthearted approach to the subject of sourness. The subtle acidity of Tell-Tale Tart is answered by a soft, biscuity malt character, making this a sour ale that suggests, rather than announcing its tartness. Beginning with a bracing sharpness at first sip, the ale mellows on the palate to a smooth and
faintly lingering finish.
Judges Review
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20