Beer of the Week! 06/07/22

Vibrissa Shooting Brake

Regularly $13.99 / Now on Sale for $12.96
ESB Style Ale

Our rediscovered love for ESBs continues with this offering from one of our newly discovered favorite breweries, Front Royal’s Vibrissa Beer.

The Shooting Brake starts with a trio of British malts — Maris Otter, Golden Promise, and Crystal. It’s then hopped with classic British hops, East Kent Goldings.

What you get is an ESB with a lovely depth of flavor. The traditional toffee and caramel from the malts mix with the hops to provide pumpernickel and fennel notes. The brew, on the whole, is smooth and balanced, a trip to the pub on your table. Drink it cool-but-not-cold for the full effect. It’s a great option for people who’re looking for a “straightforward ale” or for a beer that’s light enough for summer (only 4.5% ABV!) and yet still full of flavor.

Bonus Beer of the Week (‘Cause even when you drink you deserve a second chance)

Blue Mountain Wild Pear Sour Ale

Regularly $14.99 / Now on Sale for $13.96
Kettle Sour Ale with Pears

So it’s not just the pears, it’s what pears that Nelson County’s Blue Mountain Brewery uses in this sour.

The Wild Pear uses the juice from pears from two different pear trees, aging it on their purée as well. On one hand, they have their brewmaster’s Asian Pear tree. On the other hand, they have an heirloom Shinsu Pear tree that they “found” by the Afton brewery. So, what does this mean?

As far as we can tell, pears originally developed in western China and Asia Minor. The pears in Asia Minor made their way into the hands of the Greeks and Romans and, from them, into Europe. It’s from those pears that we get the familiar Bartlett style of pear. The other family of pears moved to eastern China and throughout the rest of East Asia. What we call “Asian Pears” are closer in shape and texture to apples than Bartletts. They are mild and crisp with a higher water content. Shinsu pears are a Japanese pear originally developed in 1956 — also apple-like in shape, they are tender, crisp, juicy, and sweet. (So, that means the pear on the label — wrong style, wrong shape. Oh those who choose iconic recognizability over accuracy.)

The Wild Pear Sour Ale is all about presenting its essential “pearness” while avoiding its sweetness. With one sip you can taste the crispness of a fresh, ripe pear blending into the sour’s tartness. This brew was originally a spring release for Blue Mountain that transitions well into a refreshing summer beer.

Remember!

You can see our entire beer inventory on Untappd.com!