Year of New Beer: Funk Land Country Shuffle, Country Boy/Upland (KY/IN)

Written By: Dion on 11/03/2016

I guess it was sometime in 2011 when the picture was posted on Facebook. It was, quite honestly, quintessential Kentucky country boy. It was a photo of a bowl, filled with an assortment of change, keys, and more importantly, pocket knives. Pocket knives that had to be surrendered before "the Boys" would be allowed to enter some Federal building to sign paperwork that would inch Country Boy Brewing closer to reality. Beers like Amos Moses, Brown Chicken Brown Cow, Stampin' Ground Stout...those were to be expected. But this one? Five years ago, I don't think anyone saw this coming. Working with Indiana's sour beer wizards from Upland Brewing, the Boys have infused a sour brown ale base with a massive amount of Cynthiana, KY strawberries and the result is a symphony of fruity deliciousness. Popping the bottle releases an immediate burst of strawberry to the nose, perhaps more than any I've ever experienced, short of a few meads. The aroma masterfully straddles the line between unripened fruit and an almost jam-like quality. The base beer provides a really nice undercurrent of toasted brown bread, but the nose just keeps returning to strawberry. On the tongue, the age of the brown ale base is evident, as a sharp acidity presents with notes of oak and dusty funk. Whereas the berries offer sweetness on the nose, it is a light caramel that serves to balance the taste buds, preventing the tartness of the strawberries from completely stealing the show. Much as it is absent from the label, the reported 8(ish) % ABV is nearly hidden from the taste buds, showing up only slightly with warmth. This is, in a word, stellar. Who says Country Boys don't do sours? Beer cellaring can be a finicky business, but I'm going to take my chances on a few of these. Bottles can be had at the taproom, while supplies last, beginning at 5pm tomorrow. Many thanks to the guys for once again giving me an early taste of this delicious brew.