Newport Storm Elle (Cyclone Series)

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Pours with an initial fat-two-finger thick, tan colored head that sits atop a dark, plum colored brew. The beer shows a hazy, light cranberry color when held up to the light. The aroma is quite fruit focused with notes of tart plums, tamarind, raisins and perhaps a touch of apples. When I go in for a deeper smell I definitely get some funky sour notes that remind me of a mix of vinegar and lactic acid. Somewhat reminiscent of Rodenbach classic, the beer also has a nice caramelized malt character & toasty grain notes that is found in the nose of that beer. The sour notes are very slight though, but they are quite persistent.

Sweet malt flavors mix with fruit flavors of plums, raisins, apples and prunes. The plum and apple notes definitely are accented by a slight tartness. While the fruit and tart notes are the most noticeable, there is a solid malt character to this brew as well. Flavors of caramel, some of the raisin notes, toasted grain and a touch of soda cracker flavors, these last two in the finish more than anything. The beer finishes with a mix of sweet fruit notes, a touch of malt character, some slight astringency and a lingering light sourness. This is an easy drinking brew with a medium fullness to it that is actually made a bit more drinkable by the persistent sour notes of lactic acid.

I wouldn't necessarily bet the farm that this beer is infected with something other than you standard beer yeast, but it definitely has a lightly tart character to it and is most likely has some wild influence to it. I really enjoy the light tartness found in this brew as it adds another layer of complexity to this brew. Quite a tasty brew, definitely a nice mix of sweet malt, fruit and a lightly sour funkiness (intended or not).