REVIEW: Uinta Baba

I started this blog almost a year ago. Back then I talked about very few beers that weren't imperial this, or barrel aged that. If a beer wasn't big, or wild, or 10% ABV I didn't make much time for it. But in the months since starting this blog my tastes have changed a bit. While I still love the big bruising beers quite dearly, I have grown to appreciate, and even sometimes prefer something more sessionable. A well crafted lager or lighter ale is a thing of beauty. Enter another new to Ohio beer from Uinta, Baba. A schwarzbier, a German style black lager. I believe this is the first schwarzbier I've taken a look at on the blog. This one checks in at only 4% ABV. Take a look at that beautiful label again! One special thing about this lovely, monochromatic label is that seal down towards the bottom that indicates Baba as USDA organic. To the beer!

Baba pours what initially appears to be black. But upon closer inspection it appears to be closer to a deep russet brown with pretty ruby highlights. It's topped by a layer of bubbly off white head that leaves great lacing on the way down.

The aromas here are very subtle. Bits of faint grain, a subtle roastiness. The roastiness imparts slight hints of coffee, toffee, and a very slight chocolatey note. There's also an intriguing spritzy, citrusy, lemony note that I really like. Like I said, very subtle and measured, but still quite nice.

The flavors are a bit similar to the aromas, pretty subtle. It leads with light roasty flavors of coffee, burnt caramel and toffee. A round, robust, lively carbonation makes it light on the palate and keeps everything moving along speedily. It also creates a great creaminess and makes the beer very drinkable. It finishes with a great sweetness, a bit of tart citrus, and a bit of dry, bitter coffee.

This beer is pretty great. Light, very drinkable, with a great subtle set of flavors. I imagine that this would be a great beer to give somebody who says that they don't like dark beer. It's light and approachable enough that your corporate macro lager drinker shouldn't be scared off. Uinta is two for two in my book!

HD