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Lightning Electrostatic Ale


Percentile
85
overall

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
333.57/5.03.44/5.0Summer10%59.9Tulip
Commercial Description:
This beer was an experiment at the Lightning Brewery in crafting a high gravity farmhouse-style ale. We do experiments on occasion, maybe not as often as we would like, but we do. What can we say, we like Science and the Scientific Method. That means that we do not just do something to be different. We have an idea about the kind of beer we are trying to craft, think about what we know that relates to the beer style we are crafting, and then make an educated deduction by the application of our knowledge of beer and beer crafting. Electrostatic Ale is the Lightning version of a high gravity or Imperial-style farmhouse ale. We used imported “Pilsnermalt” and malted wheat to make the wort and then added a modest amount of bittering hops to allow further malt perception. We finished the brewing with some spicy hops just to add a bit of hop aroma. Finally, we fermented with a particularly “wild” strain of yeast to add some additional spice to the finished beer. We named the beer according to our now standard method that uses words associated with weather phenomena or more specifically lightning. It is important to note that lightning is made up of electrical current or electrostatic charge that suddenly starts to move and forms a lightning bolt. We thought that what makes up lightning, electrostatic charge, was a good starting point for a beer name. Electrostatic Ale is a big beer within this particular style. It finished stronger in maltyness, slightly sour from the wheat, and lighter in hops than commonly made ales. We found this beer worked out better than our expectations. That is the serendipity of Science: Experiments can work. Electrostatic Ale finished at a remarkably high 10% ABV, but with a smoothness that well balances the malt, hop, and fermentation flavors. This is a big and truly Imperial beer. Try it; just make sure you watch out for sparks!
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 gorditoabd (171), San Diego, California, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/103/516/20
Nov 27, 2009  
Bomber. Pours a very murky yellow-amber. 3-4 inches of dense white foam mean I’m going to wait a bit before my first sip. Aroma is tart, of green apples, barnyard funk, and spice. Taste is initially mild, mostly just malt, wheat, honey, followed by a peppery spiciness in the mid-palate. Finish is smooth and balanced. ABV well hidden. Nice saison. Lightning continues to impress, especially for the price.


 WeeHeavySD (2970), San Diego (Hillcrest), California, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/103/514/20
Nov 19, 2009  
Interesting high abv saison. Pours orange with a 1 finger tan head. Nose is sweet and very highly spiced. Taste is spicy, hoppy, bitter and extremely peppery, when saison’s hit the pepper like this I tend to not be able to drink very much, though I’m happy to see lightning branching out.


 drfabulous (1238), Columbia, Missouri, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/516/20
Nov 5, 2009  
22 oz from South Bay. Really nice spicy fruity aroma. Taste is very yeasty and fruity. Banana and spice. This is at op notch saison. Very drinkable. I had never heard of this brewery and took a chance. Well paid off.


 otakuden (518), Vero Beach, Florida, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/517/20
Apr 25, 2009  
Everyone knows lightning is dangerous and that should you be in danger, never stand under a tree, hold anything metallic, or wave your golf club in the air. Well, the latter may only apply to Florida, but overall, lightning is mother-nature at her most beautifully potent. The Lightning Brewery is a slightly different story, which brings me to their Electrostatic Ale. A wholly unknown brewery to me up until a couple weeks ago, I ironically just read about them, and I can say without a doubt that the beer is as unique and impressionable as the folks who craft it.

My Electrostatic Ale was ablaze with hazy golden orange sparks while a slim head of off-white foam rests lazily on top while lace crackles along the sides of my glass like a shower of lightning bolts. Raising her brew dangerously close to my nose, I am struck by how spicy and full of wonderful brett tartness she is. Dry and tart with a nip of pepper-corn while her sweet side soothes with orange and nectarines. Coriander, cloves, and spice mingle with lemon in the background. Most intriguing indeed. Danger is beautiful after all, and so I waste no time diving into her tempting depths. Ooh. Spicy first, with clove, coriander, and fresh pepper dancing across my tastebuds with lingering warmth. The funk I savored in her nose is present in her body with a sour dry palate of dirty laundry, leather, and over-ripe bananas. While that may not sound particularly appetizing, trust me, it is. As I chew my way through her depths, more dry bretty funk of banana, clove, and dirty laundry pervades while spices pepper my breath. Each quaff is as enjoyable as the next, never letting go of her bright, funked nature while a very faint undercurrent of orange and nectarines refresh. Very different and very good, I could easily quaff a couple of these thirst-quenching and thirst-inducing beers.

I must say, for my first beer from the Lightning Brewery, I am very impressed. As unique as their brewers, Electrostatic Ale was an electrifying indulgence of all my senses. This is definitely one lightning storm I am glad I was a participant in.


skmikeg (74), Poway, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/104/519/20
Apr 10, 2009  
pour a gold orange color with a small white head. aroma of fruit, clove, and other spices. flavor is of fruits, banana, cloves, spices. has a full moutfeel and a clean finish. the 10%ABV is well hidden. overall, this is a another tasty brew from Lightning that I really enjoyed.


 ericandersnavy (1055), crossroads, Texas, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/515/20
Mar 3, 2009  
Bottle thanks to bman1113vr. poured a cloudy orange with a white head. aroma of coriander, clove, and alcohol. flavor was earthy, spices, clove, and alcohol. full body and low carb.


 travita (1910), Frisco, Texas, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/514/20
Feb 22, 2009  
Bottle thanks to bu11zeye. The smell is fruity, spices, yeast, malts, and honey. The look is cloudy, golden in color, with an ok head. The taste is yeast, spices, fruits, and malts.


 bu11zeye (5442), Frisco, Texas, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/513/20
Feb 21, 2009  
(22oz. bottle, courtesy of BMan1113VR) Pours a hazy golden body with a small white head. Aroma of coriander, apple, clove, orange, and some honey. Flavor of apple, alcohol, root beer, and light honey.



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