Today, we’re closing out our week by enjoying an unusual 10% ABV pluot beer from Colorado’s New Belgium Brewing Co. I have to admit, I’d never heard of a pluot before picking up this beer, but according to the label, it’s a hybrid of a plum and an apricot. Interesting… so what’s it like?
The beer strikes us as a tweaked Belgian strong golden ale, with the pluot infusion adding a pretty neat fruity overtone. Notes of plum, white grape juice, and apple juice come through, but not in any kind of dense, cloying kind of way, and there’s a touch of funk from a light dose of wild brettanomyces yeast. The malts are pale but fairly robust – there’s some heft and texture here. A lightly acidic tartness combines with the fruit character, robust malts, and a hint of alcohol, to create an impression of a robust white wine.
Ultimately it’s unusual in a good way, easy to drink, and everyone in our office who tried it enjoyed it. So give it a shot if you see it around. It’s unlike most other beers you’ll ever find.
Happy Friday!
Brett
