Zombie Dust

Great appreciation goes out to Mike Gillhouse for bringing yet another of one of Three Floyd's spectacular beers out to the QC for me to review. Tasted after a long day spent at the Opening of the Farmers Market, Planting some Seed Saver Corn and other plants, Lunch and sampling local breweries, as well as hitting a new PR in the 1500m in the CCIW Outdoor Track and Field Conference Championships with a 4:04.35. Tasted with an Organic Frittata with chard, onion, carrot and radish. Mmm!

Appearance:  Soapy tan head that is at least an inch thick after the pour.  Dissipates at a slow but steady rate, leaving thick lacing clinging to the side of the glass.  Golden amber hue and slightly hazy when held up to the light. 

Aroma:  Very strong hop presence in the nose of the aroma.  Imparts robust grassy and citrus scents and yet there is this faint smell of sweet red grapes, a wine-like contribution that develops after a few good whiffs.  Other fruity contributions to the aroma include ripe pineapple and grapefruit.  There is really no presence of malt, it is covered up by the hops. 

Taste:  Initially this beer has a very basic pale malt sweetness. By the time the midtaste develops, a burst of tropical flavors rushes over the palate. It is only from here on out that the flavor inflates to a complex proportion. I take in a tangerine undertone with some biscuit malt that parallels an earthy, but very citrus based hop profile. Similarly I get grapefruit, but it resides under a layer of vinous attenuation and alcohol with a prominent smokey complexity that resembles bacon/nitrates that I'd attribute to a Vienna malt? I also attribute some of these flavors to a overarching pine essence.
Mouthfeel:  Very light and prickly sort of carbonation that brings out a smooth, creamy and medium body.  Hops provide a drying finish while the citrus bitterness and the resins hangs around on your tongue during the aftertaste.
Overall Impression: Again, Three Floyd's has yet to disappoint. This beer has a strange character it but when the hops come through, they are complexly layered where, when given enough thought, can be picked out. Malt resides with the finishing hops, along with much of the residual sweetness. High drinkability, while exposing the raw ingredients of beer...Water and hops.

Available only at the brewery: $24 for growler + fill
Tim: 94/100
Jen: 93/100