If there’s two things this girl loves, it’s love and beer. Well, weddings and beer. So this weekend, this Hopper went west-coasting and got to indulge in both her favorite things. It was kismet really, because, I knew I’d be in for a wedding, but the craft beer was a surprise. Now, I know what you’re thinking here… “Kris, this only ever happens to you.” And to that effect, you’re not wrong, but it’s a cross I’m willing to bare for the greater beer good. So, yes, even on vacation, I find a way to review beer.
The lovely folks at Dillinger Brewing in Tucson, AZ were in attendance at the nuptials and post “I do’s” they were gracious enough to sit and chat with me about their beer and let me sample it. A casual conversation about the types of beer we like divulged into the appearance of their flagship gose: Gose Rosa. Yeah, you had me at gose and then you went and hit the “kettle soured” buzzword and I’m all but sure I could’ve died a happy woman right there between the speeches and the cake.
It’s more complex than all that, I can assure you. Catchy name, but an even catchier bite from this soured stunner that sported coriander and blackberries. Sure, the obligatory salt profile of a gose was present and accounted for, but the pleasant coy dryness grabbed everyone’s attention (not unlike a wine profile…leaving those California drinkers of rose appreciative of the mouthfeel). The showstopper for this girl was the coriander and hibiscus notes. The herb silhouette was really something wild and poignant. Did I mention, it’s only 4.6%? At sea level, I could session this one for days. Its medium bodied tartness made for a palate cleansing refresher on a warm day. Call me a romantic, but the color really stuck with me, it was basically an orange sherbet, cotton candy-colored sunset. I imagine they see a whole lot of those in the Tucson desert, but this mountain girl had to take notice.
After some dancing next up was their Whiskey Barrel Aged Cherry Sugar Mama… at this point, I had to ask if they were mind readers. All those words are winning words when it comes to choosing my beer. Before I got too excited, there was a caveat: it’s BIG. Clocking in at just under 11%, you’re not in this one for the long run, but you’re in for the moment. The hardest part about being told it was a big beer, was that though it was whiskey forward, it by no means tasted boozy (and this from a gal who takes her whiskey neat). It’s on rotation because of the barrel aging. I’m told by the brewer that the clear whiskey barrels were sourced locally out of Tucson distillery, Hamilton Del Bac and that the Sugar Mama is aged 6 months. This one hits like a mac truck with great, woody barrel notes and succulent cherry syrup. It was sweet and to the point. Some dark chocolate notes mingled with this fruit forward beer. Texture wise, akin to an imperial dark sour, this silky sweet mahogany colored brew made a lasting impression on everyone who got to sample it. Mama was the belle of the ball.
It’d be all too easy to make a reference to how criminally good their beer is at Dillinger, as such, I will refrain. But, if you are lucky enough to find your beer soulmates at a wedding, the rule here is that you should always make a toast. “So cheers to Dillinger Brewing: Exceptional beer. Exceptional Folks. Exceptional weekend. I already can’t wait to get out to Tucson to sample all the rest of your taproom and I’m jealous of the Hoppers that get to beat me to it.”
The Denver Hopper Notes:
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Dillinger Brewing Company
Website: dillingerbrewing.com
3895 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705