Last Bottle: Brett Backspin Belgian Pale Ale

By scot in Home Brewing on Friday, February 22nd, 2013

In my short home brewing career (four years) many beers have come and gone without much fanfare. The last bottle of most beers wasn’t much of of a thought and, in some cases, didn’t come quick enough. Heck, I think I have some bottles of two year old IPA.

Why should Brett Backspin be any different? Simply it is my favorite beer that I have ever brewed. I had to pay hommage to the beer as well as compare notes from seven months ago.

Look: Not much as changed from the original look of this beer. Worth noting that is it extremely clear. Original notes: Clear accents the golden hue with a pure white lacing that doesn’t have depth or staying power. Lacing is sporadic, mildly dotting the glass throughout.

Aroma: Green grape/white wine and pear have become much more dominant; still extremely pleasant. Different from “regular” yeast and so much more rewarding. Original notes: Delicate. Complex. Gentle white wine permeates along with pleasing yet docile pear accent. Laid back grain scents add a backbone to the aroma.

Taste: Similar to the nose that both Brett characteristics have picked it up a notch. Amazingly they are still harmonious with each other. Orginal notes: The white wine (green grape but w/ alcohol maybe) greets first, stemming from the nose. Carries throughout the beer. Pear picks it up a notch, creating more of balancing act. Fragile. Grains again show here.

Drinkability: Very refreshing, especially in the summer months but a cold winter day didn’t hinder the enjoyment. Dries the palate. Original notes: Light body without a question. Carbonation adds a nice elegance to the beer. One of the few times I have dialed it in well.

Overall: This beer was fantastic. I hate that this was my last bottle. So good when young but awesome at this point in time. Going to be brewed again soon. One I need to have a bottle of in the cellar all the time! Original notes: The Brett is there but not as pronounced as I would have liked. But as I continue mull this beer over, maybe that isn’t a bad thing. A delicate, yet complex beer has its place. The body is very light. After hearing an interview with Chad Yakobson, I might have to throw some oats in the next batch to hold up the body. That said, this is one light, easy drinking beer.

Useless Fact: The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days of yore when the engines were pulled by horses. The horses were stabled on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight staircases.