Mash Up tasting notes from conditioning tank
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 12:39PM
NZ Craft Beer TV in conditioning tank, mash up, tasting notes

A hazy light amber colour. Interesting considering the light malts used (Maris Otter and Gladfield Ale). The nose brings citrus, more NZ then US, some lime leaf and a little lemon balm. A slightly fruity, unripe passionfruit character underlying. Touch of Tropical Just Juice intermingled with Golden Queen peach. Smacks of Lemon-Lime Fruju.

Soapy lemon character in the mouth (in a good way) with a dominant “hop oil” kick at the back end. Initial body and sweetness dominate with mouth hop character reminding me of Schneider Brooklyn Hopfen Weisse (Hallertau Saphir). A slight Amber Malt biscuity note is in the swallow, comes through quite perfumed and as almost a berry-like malt note (as often perceived in Vienna Malt). The bitterness is more apparent in the tail of the swallow, not so intense on the tongue or sides of the mouth until swallow and aftertaste.

The perceived bitterness increases upon every swallow, but maxes out and let’s the mouth sweetness and hop notes integrate well with the endpoint bittering characters. It’s slightly sharp. hints of lemon peel and maybe slightly medicinal (slightly alkaloid??) but wakes up the palate. 

Potential for being a great food beer with any foods that have a cream and citrus base. Thinking Lemon Posset, mild-hot curry with mango chutney and yoghurt or a big contrast... A Mexican Mole or even a Chocolate Brownie with whipped cream...

Article originally appeared on NZ Craft Beer TV (http://nzcraftbeer.tv/).
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