Ithaca Excelsior! Brute

Brewed by Ithaca Beer Company
Style: Sour Ale/Wild Ale
Ithaca, New York USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

Appearance- Corked with a yellow synthetic cork. A very golden orange/yellow. The color reminds me of a fall sunset or the color of orange juice. In the glass it’s cloudy and hazy. Head is stark white, that falls very quickly leaving behind minimal lacing. Not as much carbonation as I expected. With all the champagne yeast and “sparkling” build up I thought the carb was quite low. Aroma- As soon as I opened the bottled and started pouring the first scent I got was corn. The corn smell quickly went away and I didn’t notice it during the tasting. During the tasting the first aromas I pick up are a lemon zest, barnyard funk and some peach. Secondary aromas: pineapple and a ‘sweet’ caramel funk. Taste- A citrusy sour acid bite. Brett quickly follows with a earthy white wine finish. A light ‘funk’ in the end. Overall- I was really excited to get this beer. It was never one that I actively sought out, but was aware of. When the opportunity came up to buy a bottle I was all over it! But honestly I am a bit let down. Something I don’t want to get in the habit of doing is comparing to other beers in my reviews, but this one was an average to a bit above average “American Wild” to me. It wasn’t as tart or sour for my liking. Don’t get me wrong, it’s sour but it’s not the acidic sour that I enjoy.

2nd December 2011
Bottle shared with the Kernel crew at the brewery. Cloudy gold beer, tidy pale cream coloured head. Light crisp palate. Semi dry with stinging carbonation. Pleasantly sour. A little citrus. Nice champagne like feel to this matched with a winey finish. Pretty bloody good!

Yellow, hazy body with a white head. Fresh aroma or lemon, soft lactic acids, ... Lacict flavour of grapefruit, lemon: not topo harsh. Nice.

Bottle shared with UDbeernut and his awesome wife. Batch E!037. Lovely citric nose, not astringent but certainly sour. Some trub at bottom of pour.....Hazy, so muych so that it actually gives a light white tinge to the glass at certain angles. Gentle bjitterness mellows fast. The sour hit you and caused a slight instant headache similar to brainfreeze but not as unpleasant. Asssimilation to the overalll upfront tarness and rasp like finish is surprisingly quick. Split three ways, the bottle did not last long at all. Maybee we should ask Emily’s co-worker for another bottle.....

750ml at turkeyday. One of my all time favorites, poured into my Portsmouth tulip. Nice hazy golden color with great lacing, reminds me of liquid gold. Aromas are sour and earthy with plenty of funk, it literally made my mouth water. First sip is crazy not crazy sour but enough to put it over the edge. Citrus acidity and mindblowing sour makes the finish dry. More please!

Pours a hazy golden/honey color with a medium white head. Aroma has tart citrus, some funk, and a hint of barnyard scent. Flavor has some funk up front and very nice lemony tartness. Mouthfeel is light and lively and the finish is dry, lemony, tart, and refreshing.

Bottle at GABF. Pours an attractive gold with a fluffy head. The nose is really great. Has a big Brett presence, showing cherries really nicely, then some other funk rolls through. On tasting, first thought is fruit roll-ups in the best way possible. Lots of cherry and a nice acidic edge, light lacto notes. Quite clean and fantastic. Can’t wait to get some more!

Bottle shared by bsuedekum. Thanks Blake! Pours hazy yellow with a medium light white head. Aroma is funk, sweet malts, lemon and oak. Flavor is barnyard funk, lemon zest. Has a nice tart finish. Really like this beer.