It had been my intention upon my return from Colorado and Great American Beer Fest to highlight the experiences there.  Yet for some inexplicable reason I find that I am compelled to write about a local beer.  Certainly, there will be plenty of sharing from a craft beer week of epic proportions. But for this discussion, I will keep the focus local.

Those following my site may recall my rather uncomplimentary review of Alexander by Free Will Brewing.  I chose not to write at length about the recently loathed Napoleon from Free Will Brewing that had a pronounced resemblance to toilet  water with a dash of vinegar and acerbic funk.

Yet I’m drawn to the creative descriptions, intriguing names, and decent artwork on the bottles from Free Will.   This appeal has led me to purchase another sour from this company, Blood and Guts.

Blood and Guts, Free Will Brewing – At first smell, the sour dark fruit, tingling acidity, that I love and expect fills my nostrils and creates swirls of salivation in my mouth.   The body is extremely black and opaque and somewhat unlike many sours I’ve experienced.  Most have at least a bit of translucency. Blood and Guts actually resembles a stout.  The taste is tart and the body lighter than the color would suggest.  Funky cherries are prominent yet also is an earthy, ashy taste that seems inappropriate.   There is a bit of richness in the richness in the flavor that must have influenced the name of this brew.  I had very little anticipation for this brew based on my prior sour experience from this company, but Blood and Guts is moderately redeeming. 6/10

Humbly yours,

J