In any variety pack there are beers you mark as special and this was one that I dog-eared when I first saw it. How would two California Beer Titans mesh into one beer.
Well Torpedo Pilsner from Firestone Walker and Sierra Nevada pours a yellow to orange color. The first taste and aroma is Sweet Tart candy. Bitterness is there but that unique candy taste is the boss. Some citrus but it us sweet orange not Farmers Market orange. Their is a lightness and metallic bit that is the pilsner part if the equation. Very light and almost a pils version of Easy Jack except for a lingering perfume aroma and taste. I’m getting flower shop mixed with parfumerie type of feel here. The Southern Cross and Motueka hops used haven’t given me this flavor and aroma profile before so I don’t know what alchemy the two breweries have been up to but this is quite unique.
Review – Terra Incognita from Boulevard and Sierra Nevada
First things first, this is the Boulevard branded version of Terra Incognita. Now onto what else I am watching/listening/reading while reviewing. Why? Because great craft beer makes me enjoy all the good things in life. Kinda new age-y but that is fine. So I am on a season 1 of Fringe kick right now. If you are a Netflix-er. Catch it there. I am also a big fan of the ESPN/Bill Simmons/McSweeney’s mash-up Grantland. Funny and spot on sports reporting/commentary as well as culture analysis of Mad Men that will leave you rolling.
On to this mash up of Chico and Kansas City…..The cork shot out of this bottle. Lots of foam initially, followed by a big blast of barrel aged notes. Whiskey. Not bourbon heavy. Still quite effervescent after settling down. Getting some acidity and hop bitterness after the oaky notes fade. Amazing that it is 8.5% when you consider how strong the aroma and taste is. But it is indeed light when you let it linger on the tongue.
Brux
Sierra Nevada is collaborating again and this one is with a fairly close by neighbor, Russian River!
They have partnered to create Brux Domesticated Wild Ale with an ABV of 8.3%. It got it’s intro to the beer world at craft beer event in Asheville earlier this month and might be on store shelves (limited release) as of now!
