88 Rating: Blueberry by Upland Brewing Co.

This beer is a Wild Specialty Beer fitting well into the BJCP category 28C. This category is for sour and/or funky version of a fruit, or spice beer, or a wild beer aged in wood. If wood-aged, the wood should not be the primary or dominant character.

I love the color of this beer. It pours a plum/purple color. Very interesting color for sure. It was quite clear and poured a pinkish/purple head. The head was long lasting, which I honestly was not expecting. The aroma is dominated by fresh blueberries, which I would expect based on the appearance. After the blueberry aroma there is a low funky earthy aroma. I do get a light sour aroma. No hop presence that I can detect. The flavor is fruity and full of blueberries. There is just enough sweetness  and malt presence to prevent the beer from becoming wine-like. But looking at it, it could appear like a sparkling wine. I do not pick up any hops in the flavor, other than a low bitterness.

The carbonation is quite high, and gives the beer a slightly metallic tang. I suspect that’s from the combination of the fruit and acidity from the carbon dioxide. It comes across as medium bodied, with a high carbonation. I don’t get any alcohol warmth or creaminess with the beer. It’s just as the description suggests. It’s a funky blueberry ale. I don’t pick up any barrel character in the aroma or flavor on this beer, but it’s possibly drowned out by the intense blueberry character.