Judge’s Review: 94 Rating - Modern Tart by Upland Brewing Co.

Modern Tart by Upland Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (Category 28C) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. 

This beer poured a hazy yellowish gold in color. The thick translucently white head was fluffy and big bubbled. This beer’s high effervescence can be both seeing and heard.

Moderately fruity with a light barnyard aroma character. Very ripe pineapple notes are mixed in with grainy malt. Very light citrus lime peel develops as it sits in the glass. The sour character is light and has nearly evaporated from the initial sniff.  

Lightly flavored with the same malt qualities mentioned in the aroma, grainy, fruity of very ripe pineapple and citrus lime peel finish. The finish is very dry without much hop character in the flavor or bitterness, yet nearly vegetal. The bitterness detected comes from the sour, lightly tart flavor. Balanced toward the sourness helps keep this beer light and flowing. The added apricots may be the cause for all the fruitiness perceive.

The body is light, and highly carbonated, remaining true to style. I was expecting a bigger body and mouthfeel from the added lactose. No alcoholic warmth here presuming this beer has a low ABV, and the puckery aspect is kept low while still enhancing the dryness in the finish.

The lightness in flavor and body make this beer a pleasure to drink. The moderately fruitiness gives it dimension. I believe this would be a great intro beer for the non-sour ale fans, or those looking for a gateway to sour styles. The funk is kept to a minimum while the fruity aspect adds drinkability.