When I look back at a brewery, I reference the spreadsheet I keep for the brewery to generate the bar graph at the bottom of these reviews. If I've only done one review of a single beer, I don't bother with the spreadsheet, but the inclusion of new beers reveals patterns that are hard to visualize without these kinds of graphics. In this case, it shows that
this brewery does a damn fine job of clustering their beers at the top of the scale.
The implacable orange beer has a white head that leaves lacing like it's painting a wall. The complete (if patchy) covering of bubbles on top of the beer does not reduce the aroma of citrus juice (mostly orange and grapefruit) poured over fresh bread. It is a very pretty beer at the presentation, and I am happy that it is.
First sip is bitterness over tartness with the bread and citrus huddled in the corner for fear that they will add too much flavor to the experience. The bitterness owns the space, but nothing is really hitting everywhere. The result is like listening to music while wearing earmuffs - there is something good there, but it's just not what it should be.
Tip-in is very light carbonation tingle with orange spritz on top of grapefruit and bread - it's weak, but it's compelling. The middle swells into a scream of carbonation across the top of the mouth while grapefruit, orange, and apricot merge into the sweet bread malt. The finish is a wash of bitter-tart fruits with a resin swelling for the trail-off.
Bottom Line: Challenging yet ultimately decent.
2.5/5
