Little Harpeth "Bison" Vienna Lager

I like Little Harpeth. They had a couple loser beers, but they've had some outstanding beers. One thing they've avoided is the average category. I like the idea that they are swinging for the fences. Sometimes, you'll make one that isn't great, and sometimes you'll be amazing. Aiming for just okay beers is a recipe for a brewery to fall into the obscurity of  ...did I like them? I don't remember.

The dark amber beer has a thick head that fizzles to an incomplete covering, but it's mostly covered, and it leaves a little lacing. The aroma is sweet and spice-filled, and the malt smells of caramel and bread. Honestly, I took one whiff and I want to just dive in - it smells great! These are very similar (in my opinion) to a lot of Oktoberfest beers, and I've grown to appreciate those for similar characteristics. 

First sip is sweet and toasty. The hops are a little floral, and they join spices in a really smooth and sweet way. Did I already say this was sweet? It really is a lot sweeter than any Oktoberfest, so I guess I figured out what the essential difference is between this and those. It's a good sip. As I've said before, I could sip this all night, but that isn't The Way.

Tip-in is - expectedly - sweet malt with noble hops and light spices; seems like they put all the taste in the tip-in, right? The middle is a sizzling carbonation that takes over the roof of the mouth while the delightful mix of malt and spices swish around underneath. The finish is a hint of bitterness and dryness before the toasted malt rolls in for the trail-off.

Bottom Line: Bold and good.

3.5/5