Sorachi Ace

Experimenting with the recently developed Japanese Sorachi Ace hop, Brooklyn Brewery delivers in a big way with its beer of the same name. Crafted loosely in the saison style, Sorachi Ace is a distinctive beer, showcasing all the bright citrus aromas and flavors the signature hop is so rightly admired for. Immediately upon pouring, Sorachi Ace suffused the room with intense aromas of citrus and spice. Tom lasered in on the intense citrus, likening it to fresh, zesty lemongrass and noted an almost ginger-like underpinning of spice. Lee, too, keyed on the pervasive pungent lemon aromas rising from the grass; the subtle, Thai basil-like spiciness reminded him of an Asian street market. Pouring a brilliant, sunny yellow, this beer stacks up a prodigious, creamy white head that hangs in all the way to the bottom of the glass. As expected of a “saison-esque” brew, the flavors deftly balance the lush fruit and spice flavors with a soft, lightly sweet malt background. Pete enjoyed the hints of cardamom and star anise lurking just below the malt, and he felt the bitterness perfectly balanced the sweet, fruity, and spicy flavors. Though Rick found it more peppery and warming than did Pete. Riding somewhere between the peppery spice and lightly honeyish malt, Rick found a layer of dried thyme and lemon zest, pronouncing it “not unlike a soothing herbal tea.” Across the board, the judges were effusive in their praise of this eminently quaffable brew. Experimental or not, it would appear that Brooklyn Brewery has a monster on its hands with Sorachi Ace.