Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co./ Russian River Brewing Co. Collaboration, California
Beer: Brux
Serving: 750 ml cork and caged bottle
Glassware: Sierra Nevada tulip
Information: 8.3% ABV, numbers printed on bottle’s shoulder, “Domesticated Wild Ale”.
Style: American Wild Ale
Price: $14.99 / bottle
Availability: Limited Release
Cellaring: Under proper conditions, this beer can be cellared for extended periods.
Pairings: Rotisserie chicken-topped mixed greens salad tossed with light raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Appearance
Brux is gently hazed, pouring a golden honey color with an effervescent light ivory head that diminishes to next-to-nothing pretty quickly. Not a trace is left on the glass, sadly.
Smell
Potent earthiness flourishes through Brux from the maltiness, hops, and yeast with suggestions of shaved, fresh oak. Dry biscuit with little more than a dribble of honey sweetness lays the groundwork for the complex yeast to work. Light citrus notes lap at the olfactory senses gently while a very mild, “domesticated” wild aroma subtly emerges, providing toned-down barnyard notes and a vanilla cream Yankee candle-like scent from a vigorous swirl.
Taste
The first sip quickly splashes a surprising banana Runts-like flavor on the tongue despite the lack of fruity esters on the nose! More malt-driven, biscuit and sweet pilsner attributes blend for a healthy backing capable of supporting wild development while a light citrus touch follows up with, once again, very mild yeast characteristics. Brux is complex but very subtle, finishing pretty cleanly, especially for a wild ale. After a few sips, Brux leaves a gentle, interesting tropical fruit blend-like flavor on the tongue.
Mouthfeel
Bright carbonation sparkles on the tongue while this medium-bodied wild smoothly crosses the palate with next to no trace of wild sourness, though faint tartness emerges gently. Earth and citrus notes add a balancing dryness to the finish, which cleans the tongue while bringing you back for another lip-smacking sip.
Overall
Color me surprised, I had imagined this beer to be a little more assertive and wild but Brux is odd in that it’s extremely subtle; something neither Sierra Nevada nor Russian River seem to output on a regular basis. Then again, the beer does call itself a “Domesticated Wild Ale”, aka, something a little more suitable for the masses; a “training-wheel wild” if you will. After the initial, “huh” shock subsided, it became clear this is a damn fine beer that’s incredibly well made suitable for aging, and I’m pretty excited to see what time does with the yeast!
Score: 85 / 100 - Wonderful
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Cheers,
-Andy
