The sheer fruit nose of the beer, Smuttynose’s latest Short Batch effort, makes for something that is eminently drinkable. The effort has just enough in the way of bitterness to make for a very distinctive and complex take on a Berliner Weisse. The inclusion of the sour Rhubarb (100 pounds) alongside the Strawberries (924 pounds) spins the beer off into a bold new direction. The problem with the Weisse format of beers is that a great many of them has absolutely no flavor profile, while those that do typically fall into the hazy, banana meets cloves format. Given the chance, I would pair the Straw-Barb Short Weisse with fruit platters, melon, or sharp and creamy cheeses. The lighter ABV of the beer allows individuals to polish off a 22 (1 serving size) feeling slightly warm, rather than outright buzzed. Make sure to pick up a bottle of the Short Batch #21 before it sells out – Smuttynose has only created about 27 barrels of this great stuff, and this limited number ensures that a great many bottle store will only be allotted one or two Straw-Barbs.
Rating: 8.5/10
Smuttynose Straw-Barb Short Weisse Beer Review / 3.5% ABV / http://smuttynose.com/
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
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