Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Luminary

Indiana
United States
Luminary by Upland Brewing Co.
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Appearance:
5 / 6
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Description 

Persimmon is a native species of fruit bearing tree in North America. Paired with Peach and Pineapple, these fruits come together in wonderful harmony, with each delivering their own wonderful flavors and aromas on a foundation of a lambic-style sour ale. Dry hopped with Galaxy, inviting aromas of passionfruit and citrus hop character meet the nose alongside rich fruit notes of banana, pear, peach and mango. Flavor is mildly tart, with rich peachy tropical notes balanced with delicate hops. Finish is dry, with lingering Galaxy impact.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6%
IBUs: 
10
Hops: 
Aged German Spalt, Galaxy dry hops
Judges Review 
Jason Johnson's picture
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

I'm going to judge this beer as category 28C, Wild Specialty Beer. The reason is this beer is supposed to be a barrel-aged sour ale with persimmons, peach, and pineapple. The description of 28C states that the style is a sour and/or funky version of a fruit, herb, or spice beer, or a wild beer aged in wood – which is exactly what this beer is.

First the beer pours a hazy gold color with a white fizzy head, and has no retention to speak of. The aroma of the beer has notes of apple, pear, and tropical fruits. There is a lightly sour lactic dankness, a very low brettanomyces aroma as well. The malt if faintly grainy and mildly sweet. I don’t see much in terms of hops, however the tropical notes could potentially be hop derived but most likely they are from the fruit additons of pineapple. I don't think the persimmons add much that I can detect in either the flavor or aroma. As we switch over to flavor, you do get a bit more of the grainy and slightly bready malt character in the flavor than you do in the aroma. But you also get more sour apple, ripe pear and tropical notes. There is a medium-low bitterness which compliments the dry finish from the tartness of the beer. It’s medium bodied, spritzy and tart in texture. There is a very light tannic astringency, possibly from the oak. Which would be okay because I didn't pick up much in terms of the wood in the aroma or flavor.

All in all it’s a great American Wild ale. I’d like to see a bit more clarity and head retention in the appearance and a little bit more fruit character as well as a touch more wood. I like the wood to be subtle, but this was a bit too subtle in my perception. But the tartness was pleasant, the brett was at a good level, and the malt/hop balance was enjoyable. It's something to seek out for sure.

Brewery Introduction

Located in Bloomington, Indiana, Upland Brewing Co. began its intriguing story in 1998 with a mission to brew remarkable beers in remarkable ways, staying true to the artisan, progressive spirit found in our part of the Midwest. Our sour program began in 2006 as a way to entertain our curious... Read More

Advertisement