Calicraft Brewing Company Buzzerkeley Light and Zesty Sparkling Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Calicraft Brewing Company Buzzerkeley Light and Zesty Sparkling Ale.  Calicraft Brewing Company had their first pint night at Hop Yard in San Ramon on October 2nd and I had the chance meet Blaine Landberg (great guy) and try his Oaktown Deep & Soulful Brown Ale on tap as well his Panisse Pale Ale. Soon after pint night I headed over to Mission Liquors in Fremont to pick this beer up.

From an interview with Jen Muehlbauer at Bay Area Craft Beer (dot com): “Buzzerkeley: Blurring the lines between beer and wine, Buzzerkeley is beverage unto itself. Fermentation with Champagne yeast adds a subtle tartness to the finish. Our combination of pure California starthistle and a blend of Belgian and American malts support the spicy fruity esters of the yeast. The honey sugars are almost completely fermented, drying out the beer similar to a Belgian golden strong or dry champagne. Its best drank cold and in a tight narrow glass.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a hazy golden color with a fluffy white head.

Aroma: The scents remind me of a Belgian ale – pale and caramel malts, banana, honey, spices and a hint of champagne.

Taste: Banana, honey, biscuit malt, fruit, spice, a certain champagne tartness and a light hop finish.

Overall: “Blurring the lines between beer and wine” is an excellent description for Calicraft Brewing Company’s Buzzerkeley Light and Zesty Sparkling Ale.  I completely enjoyed this light and refreshing offering. This makes the third beer I’ve tried from Calicraft Brewing Company that I’ve enjoyed completely.  At 7% ABV it is easy to want to drink more than one 750ml bottle.  As it turns out while I was reviewing (and drinking this one) my Mother-in-law inquired about it so I poured her a glass of it.  She loved it which was interesting since she rarely drinks and never drinks beer.  Well done, Blaine!

Special thanks to Brian Stechschulte (Founder & Editor at www.BayAreaCraftBeer.com) for allowing me the use of the beer description in the interview that Jen Muehlbauer (a writer for Bay Area Craft Beer dot com) did with Blaine Landberg (founder and head brewer of Calicraft Brewing Company) here.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey