The Topsail

The Topsail by Cape May Brewing Company is being evaluated as a Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer (Category 28B) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. 

The aroma of this beer is inviting with lots of ripe pineapple, green mangoes, red apples, ripe pear, and light citrus fruity esters. The grainy malt character is secondary. Sink your nose into the glass, and you'll find the straw and hay notes of this sour ale.

It pours light golden yellow with a firm haziness and thick foamy head that lasts and lasts.

The first sip reveals a medium-light ripe pineapple note, with a nearly imperceptible hop flavor. This beer is well attenuated with a very low fruity semi-dry finish. The balance is toward the tart/sourness without overwhelming. The fruitiness keeps this beer active in the palate.

The med-light body and high carbonation accentuate its refreshing character. The astringent character from the sour/tartness Brettanomyces strain may at times come across as warming, it makes it hard to imagine that you're drinking a 9.9% ABV beer. This beer drinks more like a 4% beer in that it's very light, which is a difficult task given the actual ABV.

In closing, you'll want to seek this beer out. The refreshing fruity notes, makes this a summertime favorite. I can see you all enjoying this beer in your backyard, by the shore, lake or mountains with char-grilled veggies, fruit, or white meat fish to complement the fruity notes of this beer.