Unfortunately, this review is about 4 weeks behind schedule thanks to a couple different reasons. When I returned home from Belgium, I had an annoying cold. Then my new countdown counter malfunctioned and I thought I still had time. Those are the hazards of a new site design! Sometimes the elements don't work quite as smoothly as you like and require bugs to be worked out of the system.
All delays aside, this is the second bottle in the Pfriem Family Brewers Brett Wit edition of The Brux Project! After putting down a full 12 bottle case, I'll be opening one every six months and tracking the development as this brettanomyces driven beer develops. It's really going to be interesting to see how a light style like a Wit does over time. Historically, prior to Pierre Celis modernizing the style, the wit or blanche would have been a more funky beer with some influence from wild yeast. This beer is kind of a throw back
Appearance: Hazy blond, off white head, ok retention.
Aroma: Cracker, earthy, pineapple, mandarin oranges, bubble gum, fruity.
Taste: Vanilla, fruity, pineapple, orange creme, straw.
Overall Impression: The "fresh wit" character has receded some while the brett has stepped up its influence. It's getting very brett fruity with just a slight undercurrent of earthy funkiness. While the brett has become more prominent, it's still well integrated and balanced with the other elements. The beer still tastes like a wit and not a beer that brettanomyces has acquired in a hostile takeover. It'll be interesting to see what the next six months have in store for this beer.
Availability: This is mostly gone from shelves although a few bottles may be lingering.
5.6% ABV
You can read more of my reviews for a variety of beer at The Brux Project.
