Wild Beer Company Scarlet Fever

Wild Beer Company Scarlet Fever
Style: Amber Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.8%

From: Westcombe, Somerset, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://wildbeerco.com/

So for Christmas my girlfriend went above and beyond to get me the perfect gift. Firstly was a trip to the Duck and Waffle. If you are not familiar with this establishment, it is a 24 hour restaurant located on the 40^th floor of Heron Tower, London. Whilst there, we enjoyed a slap up meal and a cocktails to boot. The second gift meant even more to me. After talking on and on about taking my first official steps into becoming a qualified beer sommelier, Emma paid for me to attend the foundation course at London’s prestigious Beer Academy. To say I am excited is an understatement and I cannot wait to get started on the 18^th of March.  In the meantime, I will be continuing to write these blogs as a “novice”.

The idea for Wild Beer came to the founders Andrew and Brett during the Great British Beer festival. Disappointed by the lack of breweries producing ales with natural flavourings, the duo approached Arbor Ales to help them realise their vision. A few months later, a dark, barrel-aged beer cultivated with wild yeasts appeared under the name Modus Operandi (a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "method of operation"). Due to the beers success, they moved to their own brewery based on Lower Westcombe Farm in Somerset to continue their metamorphic rise. And it’s paid off, with the brewery winning the New Business of the Year Award at the Somerset Business Awards. Well done guys! The subject of this review is Wild Beer Company’s Scarlet Fever.

Got the Fever??

Colour: This drink pours a thick, rich, ruby red with a slightly tan coloured foam. Now, it took me almost five minutes to fully pour this beer as the head just kept coming and coming.  Don't be fooled into thinking that its due to heavy carbonation, as it was certainly due to multiple opening and closing of my fridge door during the festive season. The thick layer of foam will linger around for duration of the beer.  

Aroma: Although this is not the most potent smelling beer, citrus notes mixed with grass or a bouquet of freshly cut flowers are present in the nose. Sometimes it pays to have a little instead of a lot.

Body: This beer has a very refined, polished body which makes it easily accessible to all comers. The medium mouth-feel helps to create a  slight clogging effect on the back of your throat with every sip.

Taste: Tangy citrus and floral notes, slowly melt into a smooth caramel and a bready sweetness due to the use of English malts, slight reminiscent of a robust, earthy English Porter. The end is very crisp and dry, with a mild bitterness provided by the floral hops. Whilst not being the most flavoursome beer on the market, it would certainly go very nicely with the Sunday roast due to its perfect balancing of flavours. I will certainly be going back to this beer next time I visit my parents. 

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/brakspear-bitter.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/samuel-adams-noble-pils.html

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