Upslope Belgian Wit

Upslope Belgian Wit  4.2%abv

Upslpope Brewing Co.  Boulder, CO

Belgian wit wit wheaty, grassy, and citrusy characteristics that makes this easy drinking and supremely pairable with light salads, fish and poultry.

A:  Pours a hazy golden straw color with a lofty white head the recedes slightly leaving a thick lacing.

S:  Light wheat malt, slight minerality, almost salty.  Herbal and grassy hops play a small background balancing act.

T:  Light Belgian Wheat beer, with delicate wheat malts, light Belgian clove and white pepper and a touch of brine.

M:  Very light and refreshing with big creamy carbonation.

D:  Very drinkable.

Stone Levitation Ale American Amber

Stone Levitation Ale American Amber ABV: 4.40%

A - Amber-brown in color with a toffee colored head.

S - Has a nice caramel malt aroma with some piney and grapefruity hop aromas.

T - Slight malt flavor that is immediately over powered by an intense hop spicyness.

M - Light bodied with a fair amount of carbonation.

O - A pretty good amber ale, but I think it is a little too hopped for the style.

Liefmans Goudenband

Liefmans Goudenband

Belgium Flemish Sour Brown aged in oak

Brouwerij Liefmans, Belgium

A:  Pours a cloudy brown color with one finger of almond colored head.

S:  Notable tartness up front followed by rich roasted and toasted malts, hints of chocolate, vanilla, oak, and cherries.  Minimal hops at best, the yeast, tartness and malt are the focus of this Flemish Sour Brown Ale.

T:  Pleasant tartness from beginning to end with a woody, vanilla tail.  Cherries and berry elements play nicely with rich malts with hints of nutty and dried fruit characteristics.

M:  Light to medium body with notable carbonation and a slightly dry, tart finish.

O:  Great introductory sour with lots of complexity.  This beer is both malty and tart and would easily pair with duck dishes, foie gras, as well as dishes you might consider accompanying with a berry sauce. 

Goose Island Sophie

Goose Island Sophie   6.5%ABV     

Belgium Farmhouse Ale (fermented with wild yeast and aged partially(20%) in white wine barrels with orange peels)

Goose Island Brewing Co. (Anheiser Busch) Chicago, Illinois                                   

A:  Pours a hazy straw color with a lofty almond head that settles to a moderate cap with nice lacing. 

S:  Smells of Belgian yeast, bright citrus, white pepper, and a light funk with hints of white wine barrels. 

T:  Tastes of light malts, Belgian yeast, bright citrus tartness and a mild wild yeast funk.

M:  Med-light in body with bright carbonation and a prickly texture.  Finish is tart and refreshingly dry. 

O:  Great beer for sparkling wine drinkers.  This beer is both great by itself but stunning with food.  Think- cheese plates, loves fresh and lightly cooked vegetables, awesome with summer salads, chicken, fish, and dishes accompanied by citrus, earthy elements.  

Trabanco Dry Cider

Trabanco Dry Cider  4.2%abv

Complex, tart, European apple cider with a frizante characteristic

A:  Clear, slight golden hue, minimal head.  Frizante

S:  Hints of apples, forest floor, subtle tropical  qualities.

T:  Dry apple, tart, minerals and earthy elements round out the flavor profile.

M:  Light, dry and frizante

D: Very drinkable yet nuanced and complex.  Great with salads and rustic cheeses. 

Old Speckled Hen

Old Speckled Hen, English Pale Ale,5.2%ABV  Morland Brewery, England

Classic English mild, light herbal hops, toasted caramel malts with a creamy texture.

A: Pours a clear copper color with a moderate head.  Nitro Old Speckled Head has a persistent head while the bottled Old Speckled Hen head will dissipate rather noticeably.

S:  Smells of caramel malts, light hints of honey, mild herbal (noble) hops.

T: Smooth toasted and caramel malts, herbal and earthy noble hops, mild fruit and distinct English Ale yeast.

M:  Mediuium to light body with light/creamy carbonation that finishes moderately dry

D:  Very drinkable but also a great offering beside pub fare.

Crooked Stave St. Bretta Belgian Wit with Valencia Oranges

Crooked Stave St. Bretta  Belgian Wit with Valencia Oranges     5.5%abv

Crooked Stave Brewing Co.  Denver, CO

Citrusy specialty Belgian wit brewed with seasonal citrus.  This beer has a noticeable element of tartness and hint of rustic complexity.

A:  Pours a hazy golden yellow color with a lofty off-white head.

S:  Aromas of funky wt hay and citrus meld together with wheat and pale grain breadiness.

T:  Pale grains followed by bright, tart citrus and bready and spicy sweetness rounding out with blood orange citrus elements.

M:  Medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a mildly creamy texture.

D:  Very drinkable but also great with cheese, light nuanced rustic food and light nuanced cakes and creamy desserts.