
Welcome back everyone. Just a reminder of what’s waiting for you when Monday is over.
#355: Wildeman Farmhouse IPA – Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland
So, a “Farmhouse IPA,” then. White IPA, I took it that meant hoppy witbier. Farmhouse IPA. I take it that means hoppy saison. Whatever, let’s do it. Brewed with Rye, Munich Malt and Wheat, and hopped with a “secret blend,” as they tell us. It’s also brewed with a saison yeast, which is known for its tolerance of abnormally high temperatures, nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Checks in at 7.5% ABV.
One to gander at, that’s for sure. Anytime you get a beautiful pale beer, building up with a great deal of frothy, rocky white head, you can almost assume you’re in for a treat. But really, very appealing. A deep golden hue, accented by subtle, but vibrant carbonation, feeding a massive white head. Can’t beat it. The aroma can hardly wait to jump right out of the glass. An assault of spice and fruit penetrates the nostrils. Black pepper, banana, hay and acidic fruits scurry about in all directions. Funky and endearing.
And the beer jumps right onto the palate, greeting you up front with an array of sweet, but not cloying flavors. But more important to note here is the progression of the mouthfeel. Up front it’s wonderfully creamy, as it almost folds over your palate, bringing flavors of banana, ripe orchard fruits, citric juiciness and some dry, peppery spice. Midway through things begin to dry out, with flavors turning a bit more malty, allowing you to notice some grassy, earthy, spicy components. If you’re wondering where the “IPA” in this beer is, you’ll find it in the finish, which leaves a moreish bitterness clinging to the throat.
The Verdict: A complex and lovely beer. Fruity, spicy, tart, sweet, all while being a true joy to drink. Excellent stuff.
This was the first day our build for the 2012 Red Bull Soapbox Race Build. After 2 events I’ve learned to start building immediately! I always end up redoing something 2 or 3 times to get it right. DAY 1 was basically just me trying to get us prepped for when I needed 2 helpers. The ring cutting is pretty detailed and takes quite awhile just to cut. Spent several hours just getting this far!
| — | Anonymous |