Thursday, March 13, 2014

Batch 62 fennel wit tasting notes

Drink cold.

Pours straw/yellow, big white head that drops back but hangs around edges, laces OK, big bubbles, lots  of carb rising in glass. Decent haze.

Smells fennel, moderate phenols.

Mouth feel, big carb, toothy but not thick, could back off carbonation, but mash temp is good.

Flavor, fennel that is muted/sweetened.  Some curry/phenol behind the fennel.  Pick up some hop bitterness and earth towards the end.  Malt character is very understated, beneath the fennel.  No rosemary. 

Finish, pepper warmth and hop bitterness, fennel lingers.

Overall, if you like black licorice, this is for you.  2 weeks ago, it was more subtle, but once it dried out, kapow.  Doubtful to try again.  Just not a go-to beer.  Maybe cut fennel in half, double rosemary, add coriander. 

Also, got notes from Brixies contest, just local judges, but my table had some experienced guys.  Avg score 28.6. Comments were bandaid (some debate over whether this was the spice or the yeast), over spiced, good base beer, fennel not my favorite, rosemary not present, medicinal, refreshing, dry finish.

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