What: A mixed fermentation sour wheat ale [3.2% ABV].

How we Had it: Out of a 750 ml bottle into a wine taster glass.

What we Saw: A pale yellow hay colored beer. A light amount of white foam quickly dissipates to almost nothing; nonetheless, bubbles continued to rise from bottom of glass throughout.

What we Smelled: Beautifully inviting and refreshing nose. Citrus predominates with lemon, and grapefruit at the forefront. Reminiscent of sour patch kids. A soft barnyard funk sits behind the citrus fruit creating a second layer to the nose and displaying complexity. Notes of melon were present as well. As the beer warmed the citrus became even more pronounced.

What we Tasted: Tart citrus was front and center as the aroma initially suggested. The tart yet reserved sour character was very enjoyable. As with other examples from the brewery, and even at 3.2% abv, the body of the beer was substantial. This created a wonderful vessel for the tart citrus character of the beer. The noted flavors followed what was detected in the aroma of the beer in perfect order. Balance and restraint really allowed the beer to shine.

What we Thought: This beer was incredibly refreshing and enjoyable. While only 3.2% abv, the mouth feel and body of the beer were substantial and created a beer that could be enjoyed by the pint on a hot summer day or with a nice dinner. As with other beers I've had from Casa Agria, that mouth feel is silky and body heavy on the tongue. In my opinion, this is fantastic. In Faja de Oro, balance and purpose are key features. The aromas are beautiful and the flavors play with each other in harmony. The surprise for me was the presence of melon in the aroma and taste of the beer. While not dominant, that melon character continued to present itself in the background throughout the entire glass. Casa Agria has presented a wonderfully easy to drink beer which displays complexity on all levels. For food pairings, consider oysters - the brine and salt would play nicely with the tart citrus of the beer.