Arbor and Moor, Double Dark Alliance

I was fiending for this beer ever since it was first released (2013??). Dark Alliance I knew (blog post here), the double version I wanted. 2/3 years later, I saw it (almost by chance) in webroughtbeer and it was an insta-snaffle.

However.....whereas once the thought of a DBIPA would make me salivate, my tastes have changed I think (I thought something similar about Buxton's Battle Horse). This is an excellent beer, but all I could think of whilst drinking it was that I wish I had a 'standard' imperial stout instead. I wanted some more molasses and more roasty bitterness, rather than the 'cleaner' and fresher citrusy thing going on here. I suppose I'm a bit spoilt these days.

Crooked Stave, St. Bretta Autumn

I feel like American Wild Ales (AWAs apparently) are a bit of a can of worms - there are alot more of them (it seems) than there are of the Belgian equivalents and given that the majority of the rating sites are populated by Americans, the hype levels for Casey's, Side Project's and Hill Farmstead's beers are pretty feverish, sometimes bordering on the hysterical. (That DDB guy is probably to blame too.)

Crooked Stave are in the anti-kettle souring camp and by staying close to the lambic brewing ethos, their bottles are valued at more than controlled sour brews (i.e. £10 for a 355ml bottle).

How do they hold up to their Belgian inspirations? I hope I have the pleasure to find out with more AWAs. I'd imagine most US sour/wild brewers would be the first to admit that their offerings mightn't quite reach the same depths as some of the older Belgian breweries, but who's to say how that might change in a generation or two? The consolidation/maturation of US house yeasts perhaps remains a work in progress.

This AWA from Crooked Stave was, I think, my first experience with native American yeasts. A good beer. Blossomed when it reached room temperature, funky cheese/citrus nose. Sharp tang to mild sour citrus taste, minimal barnyard/funk. Dry finish. No overt presence of hops or oak in this for me unfortunately, but I enjoyed it and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to try it again. (Although I'd have to be pretty flush to warrant spending the above mentioned price when I could get 750ml of a Cantillon gueuze for the same or less.)

Beavertown, 'Spresso

Yet another canned imperial from Beavertown. Quality brewing, but if I were being uncharitable, I might say it was a bit one dimensional. That said - the real stand out on this is the mouth feel. Wow: absolutely zero harshness, velvety and carbonation just right. Have you had one of those canned coffees? Basically that's what this is.