Fruit beers, fruit beers, everywhere there are fruit beers. I’m not complaining, as I like many options that are now available, especially those session beers popping up in Utah grocery stores. The newest entry in this emerging category is the Belgian Style Blonde with Guava from our friends at Upslope Brewing.
Tilting back the new, Utah-exclusive, Upslope Belgian-Style Blonde with Guava.
Ski season is over (it is June after all) but much snow still remains in the upper Wasatch. Brewddah and I recently took our skis to Grizzly Gulch at Alta for some turns. Sure, everyone is mountain biking and rock climbing now, myself included. But I have a “can’t stop, won’t stop” attitude when it comes to skiing. If there is snow, you can make turns, and I like to eek it out when I can.
After a few runs in Griz, we perched up on a view-laden spot looking down Little Cottonwood Canyon, and that’s where I cracked open a can of Guava Goodness.
Upslope Belgian Style Blonde with Guava
Upslope Belgian Blonde with Guava in the glass. A perfect, summer scenario.
What is most awesome about this beer is that it was brewed just for us Utahns. At 4%, it’s a low ABV brew that can be sold in grocery and convenience stores here in the Beehive State, and it’s soooo nice of this Colorado brewery to think of us. We Utahns have a reputation of loving quality beer, the dominant religion be damned, and breweries around the west are taking note.
This Belgian-Style Blonde is the epitome of easy drinking. The body is light and airy, with champagne-like carbonation. The Belgian yeast imparts it’s typical funky flavor, which is balanced out by the fruity guava. Many flavored beers go too heavy on the fruit, but the guava here is subtle, imparting just enough kick to make you take note and drink some more in order to figure out the complexities of this bang-up brew.
Back home, while enjoying another on the back deck in a glass, I could see the light, straw-like color. The nose is very strong. As soon as I bring the glass to my face, the citrus and banana-like esters have a smack-upside-the-head aroma. Both in the can and in a pint glass, this beer is quite delicious. A strong and welcome addition to the stable of session beers in Utah, and just in time for summer.
For more, visit them at upslopebrewing.com
