Just as I started to feel like, maybe I've had one too many IPAs and it is time leave those hop-headed-heroes on the shelf for a while, a friend of mine put this beauty in front of me and I was re-inspired. This is an excellent IPA, an excellent beer. The first thing I noticed while enjoying beers at Iron Springs Brewery just 7-10 miles north of me in Fairfax, CA was the amazing color quality of ALL of their beers (I ordered 10 samplers so I got to see most if not all of the beers they had on tap). Secondly, Iron Springs does a great job bringing out the characteristics of each beer style, so while I see them as a creative brewery, I also think they are really good at following traditional modes of brewing. There must be some Block-headed German in one of the beer-masters, just try their Kolsch style beer: "Kent Lake".
Yes, it's another Belgian witbier, and this one happens to be one of the best ones I've tasted. I think most anyone could like this beer. First off, the color is incredible. The cloudy almost off white beverage is a spectacle in itself. I tried it in a dark room and I was still amazed by how light it was. I can only imagine what it would look like in the late afternoon summer sun. Next is the aroma and flavor which are equally appealing. Nothing stands out as overpowering, and I would venture to say that Wittekerke is quite restrained for this style, with only a slight taste of belgian yeast and traditional spicing. But, my fellow flavorful beer aficionados, fear not. Wittekerke's balance is what makes this beer so special. Flavor-wise, it is simply refreshing- in the hot days of July and August (add May and June if you live where I do), this would be like bottled heaven. The malted wheat provides something here that most beers just don't attain. I tried to describe it (unsuccessfully) in an earlier post, and I still can't pin it down, but if you're a fan of wheat beers, you might know what I'm talking about. Delicious.
My second beer at The Brick Store, this belgian-style saison straight from New York was delicious. Spicy, tropical fruit, combined with loads of carbonation made this the perfect beer to drink when in an optimistic mood, ready to float off with the dreams of tomorrow. I was in heaven imagining descriptors for this one until someone (and if you know me, you know who it was) suggested circus peanuts. There's nothing like orange foamy sugar to bring you back to Earth. Maybe I shouldn't take myself so seriously and just enjoy this fine beer. Delicious.
