Touch of Brett Mandarina by Alesong Brewing and Blending is a Brettanomyces-fermented farmhouse-style beer and is being judged as a Brett Beer (category 28A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Brett beers are noted for their distinctive wild yeast characters from a Brettanomyces fermentation with flavors (varying depending on the strain of Brett) of tropical fruit, stone fruit or funkier barnyard and wet hay. Touch of Brett Mandarina was fermented with a blend of Brettanomyces yeast, dry-hopped with Mandarina Bavaria hops and aged in French oak barrels.
This beer pours golden in color, slightly hazy with a small, quickly fading white head. The aroma is distinctively Brett with an orange and tropical fruit yeast character that is well-complemented by a light citrusy and spicy hop aroma. The flavor showcases Brett. with orange and tropical fruits along with a slight, pleasant sourness. Tropical fruit and spicy hops complement the wild character well. The beer finishes lightly bitter with a refreshing light sourness and lingering tropical fruit. This is a very well executed Brettanomyces fermentation with the yeast character evenly balanced by the dry hopping of Mandarina Bavaria hops. Seek this one out and enjoy!