Ace In The Hole

Brewery:

Brooklyn Brewing

Brooklyn, New York

www.brooklynbrewery.com/

Name/Style:

Sorachi Ace/Saison/Farmhouse Ale

ABV(alcohol by volume):

7.6%

Sorachi Ace is unique(from here on Sorachi Ace will refer to the hop). This Saison is named after and brewed with a rare hop varietel known as Sorachi Ace. Developed by Japan's Sappro Breweries in 1988 it is known for its lemon zest/lemon grass quality in taste and smell. It certainly imparts those qualities into Brooklyn's one-off Saison. After being brewed with an initial dose of Sorachi Ace it is then put through a secondary fermantation where the ale is dry hopped with even more Sorachi Ace. Another unique aspect of the ale is the champagne yeast used. A unique Belgian strain that is light in flavor and blends easily with the other characteristics of the ale to the point of almost being unnoticable but for the large egg-white colored head and high level of carbonation. There really isn't a lot to say about the taste. As unique as this ale is it isn't very complex. Yet, it's simplicity gives it an aire of elegance and class. Delicate lemon grass mixed with a light malt and a touch of alcohol. Finishes dry, but because of the lemon it is also incredibly refreshing. The aroma is very much like the taste profile. Sunny lemon with a yeast that is clearly Belgian. Delicate and understated. 

I love this saison from Brooklyn Brewing. It is one of my two favorite Brooklyn has produced to date. I hope they reconsider only brewing this once and at least make this fine brew a seasonal.

Musical Pairings:

Christie Lenee writes and performs a genuine, soulful variety of acoustic music. Her tunes are many and can be soft and subtle or dynamic and dramatic. Rockin' or slightly ambient or mesmerizing and enchanting with technical finger-style wizardry. A few things are always certain about Christie Lenee, though. 

She is passionate. She can sing. 

And she can play the hell out of an acoustic guitar.

Artist:

Christie Lenee

Song:

Evolution

Artist:

Christie Lenee

Song:

She's Fine(Live at Skipper's Smokehouse Tampa, FL)

Guavaween

Yeah, it's the Friday before Halloween. Yeah, Halloween is on Sunday this year, but we all know all the parties are still happening tonight or tomorrow. Yeah, we are to old to maybe care as much as some of us do about this pagan holiday gone all Hallmark. Here in Tampa, though, we have the adult answer to the kiddies Halloween.

Guavaween.

Started in 1985, Guavaween serves as the main fundraiser for the historic city of Ybor's Chamber of Commerce. A family oriented affair in the daylight hours, it turns to the dark side after the sun goes down. It is not uncommon for people to be arrested for nudity, peeing, having sex, property damage and any other indecencies an alcohol fueled mob of 50,000 to 120,000 people in costume may be capable of.

In honor of the fruit that is so popular in the Southern U.S., Central and South America and  for Guavaween the fantastic collective brewing genius that is Cigar City Brewing whipped up a unique Fall Seasonal in the Saison Style.

 Saison (aka Farmhouse Ale) is a unique style of ale. Until recent years the Saison was falling of the beer lovers radar. It was thought of as "endangered", but that is no longer the case.

Saison tends to be fruity, but not really sweet, tart to sour, good strong yeast profile that is a little musty at times with a good spiciness. Typical abv. ranges from 5%-8%.

Brewery:

Cigar City Brewing

Tampa, Florida

http://www.cigarcitybrewing.com/

Name/Style:

Guava Grove/Saison

ABV(alcohol by volume):

8%

 Cigar City often brews beer that are tributes to some element of Tampa and its history. Their Jai Alai IPA is in memory of the long gone fronton where the sport was once played, Maduro Brown Ale is for the long history of cigar manufacturing in Ybor, ect. Guava Grove is for the love of Cuban cuisine and Guavaween.
To get the guava into their Saison, Cigar City does a secondary fermentation on real guava.
The aroma when you open the bottle is great. It gets even better when poured into a glass. As the cloudy, golden tangerine colored brew fills my glass the guava is light, but present with hints of flowers, citrus zest and a little funk from the yeast. The fact that this is going to be a tart beer is evident before it gets anywhere near my lips.
 Tartness runs throughout the entire taste experience. What I believe are pale malts are barely perceptible giving freedom for the fruit characteristics to take over. Lemon, guava, and maybe a little pineapple. Just a touch of sweetness. A little peppery.  They mention banana being present, but not really picking up on that to much. Nice earthy, funky yeast pairs wonderfully with the tart. There in a medium body to the mouth-feel. Finishes very dry and yet very refreshing. I could drink this all day.

Musical Pairing:

Artist:

Buena Vista Social Club

Song:

Chan Chan

Album:

Buena Vista Social Club

One of the great Cuban bands to reach the ears of the world. At the time of the recording of their self-titled album some of the members were as old as 90. Beautiful, soulful music to accompany a beautiful, soulful beer.