Oak Creek Rare Earth

On tap @ 2008 AZ Strong Beer Festival (was wondering if this would ever be added). 14 karat pour with dense eggshell head that left clinging lace. Aroma is Welch’s grape juice, honey, and freshly cut fairways. Flavor is more earthy than the nose; lemongrass, white pepper, malt and a bit of sourness. Medium mouthfeel. Interesting.

Tap at the brewery. This was one of three seasonals on tap at the brewery (not the restaurant). Sample is $2. This was a pleasant surprise. Golden color with a thick head. Nose is faint but smells like grape jelly with a hint of alcohol. The taste is very complex. It starts off sweet like grape juice but then a sharp dryness (like a bold Cabernet wine) takes over the palate. The dryness lingers. After about 20 seconds subtle/faint malt shows itself but not for long.

(Draught, labeled as Rare Earth) Pours a hazy golden body with a medium off-white head. Aroma of oak, vinous, white grapes, some barnyard, and florals. Flavor of citrus, vanilla, oak, nuts, grass, and coriander.

Draught at GABF 2008 (as Rare Earth). Clear yellow - white head. Honey, dusty, caramel, cardboard, spidersweb, citrus, animals, yeasty, horsey.

GABF 2008, labeled as Rare Earth Saison. Pours hazy light yellow with a spare, fizzy, white head, mostly diminishing with spare lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (cookie, hay, straw), light hops (flowers, herbs, grass), average yeast (horse blanket, barnyard) with notes of pepper. Light bodied, oily texture, soft carbonation, and a chalky finish. Average duration, light sweetness, acidity, and bitterness.