Perennial Artisan Ales Hopfentea
Perennial’s Hopfentea is briefly described as a Berliner weisse steeped with a tropical blend of tea leaves. This particular bottle was packaged in May of this year and enjoyed mid-July. Now, I’m not a huge wheat beer fan, but I do really like a good Berliner weisse. I think it has to do with the soft tartness that is often characteristic of the brew.
This quaffable 4.2 % ABV example of the style from Perennial fits the bill quite nicely, but with a slightly more amplified tartness than is typical. I don’t believe that’s a direct result of the tea blend used in this recipe. The presence of the tea feels like it effects the aroma more than the flavor, offering a floral and slightly perfumey trait in the nose.
Appearance
A large cap of pinkish foam falls slowly atop the peachy/pinky colored brew. The visual certainly wasn’t expected.
Aroma
As mentioned above, the brew has a floral and slightly perfumey character. It’s also smells dry, bringing a moderate tartness, grain, wheat and distant berries to the nose.
Taste
The brew comes across much more tart and less fruity than the aroma let on. Once the initial surge of moderate sour tartness subsides, berries, melon, lemony citrus and wheat smoothly and swiftly before eventually fading gently in the lasting, drying finish. At such a low level of alcohol and despite that initial burst of tartness, Hopfentea is an easy drinking brew. The soft carbonation and medium body only help make it glide that much more easily with each sip.
Overall
I quite liked Hopfentea. I’m not particularly a fan of the perfumey nature of the aroma on the brew, but I do like that tart bite that accompanies the rest of the flavors. I also love that the brew isn’t going to wreck me after a sitting — the bottle lasted for a nice long session during the warm day on which it was enjoyed.
Rating: 4/5
