Batch 1 bottle shared with Muzzlehatch on 2/18/06. Served chilled to start (though it still gushed somewhat) in my Nashoba Valley Wine glass.
Most beauteous of vibrant, bright burnished copper and new goldleaf colors swirl about with some yellow overtones, a light #2 pencil yellow, that is. Large initial head takes its sweetass time in receding, but never falls below one finger. Dense, snow-white and pillowy, creating circuitous lacework all the way to the bottom. A symphony of minute bubbles rises methodically amidst the liquid.
Breathtaking nose of dry Bartlett pear flesh. Yep, just had a pear and it’s more similar to the flesh than the skin. The brett is dry, full of life and strength but yet allows for dry, light malt notes and even some light grassy hops. Soft herbal-like notes tickle the senses and the brett just continues to seduce. A nose like few, if any, that I have had the pleasure to smell. Let’s just say, it makes me want to turn this beer in to powder and snort it. Ahhh, fiercely riveting, yet so innocent. Like a youthful, flitting sprite, aware of her blossoming sexuality, but gigglingly flirtatious and evasive. Suffice to say that this aroma has me composing really bad poetry; it’s that marvelous.

Ok, deep breath. Plunging in to the luxurious liquid, perfectly attenuated pils malt (dusty, specks of grain) and mildly tart brett combine to provide a significant backbone, while softly grassy hops add a zestiness that couldn’t be more at home amidst the brett spiciness. Dry nectarines, pears and a growing lemon-like icing on the finish. I knew right away this was as good as it gets in aroma, appearance and mouthfeel, but I will admit to some qualms with the flavor as it warmed and breathed. The growing lemon cake-icing note added a slightly sticky flavor that seemed out of place in this otherwise most delicate of gems. Same/similar thing that bothered me in Deification. But the yeast is done ever so correctly, no meatiness or doughiness, just very faint mineral-like notes that are the very heart of the beer. And as Jeff says, it’s nitpicking.
The texture barely merits a mention, it’s just perfectly tight and refreshing. Off the top of my head, the most flavor and aroma I have seen in a beer of this gravity. Thanks a million for the bottle, Matt (mwsf)!!!

Bottled. Clear golden. Complex aroma including grassy hops, deep malt and almonds. Sweet and very soft. The velvetty softness gives the aromatic flavours a lot of room. Low bitterness. Very Belgian in style, not pumped up with direct flavours, but more laid back, and with a wonderful malt character.

Thanks to herbjones for sending this my way - this is a wonderfully gentle and subtle sour ale - nice clear strawberry/copper color - fizzy, with minimal head - aroma of sour cherries, oak - musty and barnyardy - even a hint of...chocolate? - nice tart cherry to start (but it’s not overpoweringly sour) - some brett/cheesy funk - vinous character is much more background than expected - the finish is very woody - good...indeed.

Tap at Spuyten Duyvil - extremely smooth and drinkable for a double IPA - the hops certainly pack a punch, but don’t destroy your palate like a lot of other west coast IIPAs - because of this, the fruity malt sweetness doesn’t have to be so powerful either, creating a great balance and drinkability.

Courtesy of The_Beer_God. Hazy golden white color with a thick frothy white head. Spicy aroma with hints of lemon and candi sugar. Somewhat citrusy flavor with gentle spices.