So to open this, the news story that was just on was about a woman in Texas who saw the Virgin Mary on a tortilla. Soak that in for a moment. She claimed that she also saw Jesus on the other side of the tortilla, and "Thought it was a sign from the holy family that everything is alright." No, it's a sign from the tortilla company that you should eat the tortilla instead of trying to find meaning in it. It's a fucking flour tortilla. This story was followed up by budget cuts and financial woes. Do you want to retract your statement that a tortilla told you everything is alright?
So this beer, by Knee Deep, is apparently a year round brew. After reading up on Knee Deep (since our Simtra review), they have a bizarre availability. California, Arizona, Nevada, Ohio and Idaho. 5 states and Ohio is the only one not near their brewery (based in California). Interesting, but I will NOT complain about this.
So, a quick run down of this. This is labeled as the cousin of Simtra, but with Centennial and Chinook hops. 11.3% ABV, no idea on the IBUs, as the label says 'no shortage here'. This pours a coppery amber color, with some white head that doesn't stick around. The aroma is holy family of hops (AH! See how I tied in the opening paragraph in with.... never mind). Citrus and honey aroma. The taste. Oh how I've longed for the taste while spewing my nonsensical whimsy all over this page, with the pint glass sitting in front of me, staring at me, taunting, making me long for the hop onslaught that was Simtra. Some sweetness up front, less sweeter in the middle, nothing but sheer bitterness on the back. The hop characteristics build toward that back and come out in a pineapple, grapefruit, pine concoction that lingers on your tongue, while your mouth puckers a bit from resiny bitterness left behind. Hints of the alcohol make a slight presence known in the flavor, but not noticed until about halfway through the pint, where you start to feel that nice, warm, happy buzz, that I previously compared to a wine buzz. You're warm, happy, and love everything. Everything is right in the world because you found a tortilla with the Virgin Mary on it. Then the harsh reality hits you that the lady in Texas who 'found' this 10th Wonder of the World, is just bat shit fucking crazy, because this isn't distributed there, so she can't be feeling the same happiness.
Not quite as good as the Simtra, but this is damn good. Thanks again to Rin at Savor Market for bring Knee Deep into our lives, and we will continue searching for their brews, to bring the awesomeness to you, our loyal viewer/reader/online stalker/beer geek.
4.85/5 caps
-Nathan
OK, Knee Deep. Welcome to Ohio, you lovely bastards. I've fallen rapidly in love with you and your seeming similar addiction to hops that I have. Simtra ranks with the best beers I've had the pleasure of ingesting. I took one sip of this and said, "Whoa." I don't get the 11.3% ABV except in the way it gives me that wonderful champagne-style buzz halfway through.
My partner in blogging, life, and crime described it perfectly. I don't have anything to add or complement his summation of this wonderful brew. Ohioans (and residents of the other four states where this may be obtained), go grovel knee-deep should Rin point you in the right direction with this brew or anything else they make. As for me, I'm going to fall prostrate to the ground in reverence of a kindred hop-loving spirit. Or is that too knee-deep in bullshit?
4.9/5 caps
-Jennie
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