I didn't expect this to be my first Floridian beer but I guess it is. Andy Crouch in his soon to be published (review copy delivered yesterday) Great American Craft Beer calls it both "a flavor parade of spice" and a "spice bazaar" which gives me some pause. Can I handle it?
It opens with a pop as the 2009 dated cork flies and lets loose with an appled gently funky wave of aroma. Golden ale under white froth and foam. In the mouth... it is a spice parade. Lighter bodied and crisp with curried notes of, maybe, earthy cardamom, a little white pepper and heated raw ginger. The balancing malt is that wheat cream thing that Lew mocked me mercilessly over. Tangerine juicy mid-swallow but ends with a drying brett finish. More semi-sub-tropical Orval than Oro but a solid brew.
Great BAer respect but not quite love. I don't know why.
Comments
Jen - July 24, 2010 1:35 AM
Finally, some Florida love! I just learned of this beer recently as well; time to hunt it down here. Thanks for the review.
Gary Gillman - July 24, 2010 8:51 AM
I was thinking Orval reading along with your notes until you actually mentioned it, but this sounds bigger in flavour, more exotic. Some information on the brewery which explains the origin of its unusual name:
http://thewineandcheeseplace.blogspot.com/2009/01/saint-somewhere-florida.html
Gary
Perno - July 26, 2010 1:22 PM
Cigar City is a brand new brewery here in Tampa, FL that you may want to check out if you can get your mitts on it. They're doing some fun stuff as well.