Transilience is an “Imperial Berliner Weisse” fruited with Mango and Pomegranate. While the term Imperial has become quite commonplace for a number of typically moderate-alcohol beer styles, Southbound did an outstanding job delivering an “IBW” that still retains the refreshing drinkability of the original.
Transilience pours a cloudy gold with a moderately large white head arising from moderate carbonation that dissipates rather quickly, as is typical with the Berliner Weisse style. The brew has a complex, earthy tartness along with some lactic and fruity mango notes in the aroma. The flavor of this brew demonstrates a moderately strong clean tartness that dominates over the wheat and pils malt flavors in the background. The clean tartness carries through from start to finish, with a touch of pomegranate fruitiness in the middle and finish. The mango character from the aroma doesn’t seem to come through as strongly as in the flavor, though it might be simply marrying well with the tartness. Hop character is very low, as expected.
This is a very refreshing, clean and dry brew. The relatively thin body and pleasantly dry finish taunts the palate to be wetted with another sip (or gulp) of the beer. The alcohol (at 7%, almost 3x higher than a standard Berliner Weisse) is hidden amazingly well.
Consider Transilience if you are looking for a refreshing Summer thirst quencher. Just don’t be surprised if the alcohol sneaks up on you unexpectedly!