Great Notion Zest
What the brewers say
“Zest is our take on a German-style Berliner weisse. The lemony tartness in this refreshing wheat beer comes from a two-stage fermentation with Lactobacillus and Brettanomyces.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Strong floral notes up front, with some tartness and light malt sweetness. A little spice and earthy must with mineral notes and a vague hint of popcorn butter. Citrusy lime adds to the fruitiness of the apple flavor.”
Flavor: “The lactic tartness hits up front and carries notes of lemon, lime, and grapefruit. The high carbonation brings out more of the tartness, and a light body rounds it out. There’s a slickness to the beer that carries through the finish and sits on the tongue with some lactic and slightly butter slickness. The aftertaste is like wood from an old barn—dry straw, rich, earthy, peaty.”
Overall: “The beer changed as it warmed—the initial slickness was significant, then the carbonation scrubbed through to really showcase the lime, peach, and watermelon flavors. Easy drinking for a summer day after work, light and refreshing without being simple.”