Brand New Eyes Open Fermented Red Wine Solera with Motueka Hops and Lime Zest

Review Date 3/10/2022  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Saison   Brewery: Birds Fly South   Country: USA   State: South Carolina   $ Per OZ: $.15 (D)   ABV: 5.3%

My first experience with the Birds Fly South brewing company of Greenville, South Carolina, was admittedly not a success. Not for me, and not for my estimation of the brewery. The beer I drank, Nights Like These Irish Dry Stout, was in a crowler and seemed too thin in body and subtle to me for the style.

Then, though, I saw that Taco Mac had an interesting sounding beer from the brewery on tap: Brand New Eyes Blended Farmhouse Ale. Birds Fly South describes this as an Open Fermented Red Wine Solera with Motueka Hops. It did not hurt that the beer was only $3.50 for a 23-ounce Chancellor mug fill. I was sold! If more selling was needed, I do so love a good farmhouse ale.

Then, tragedy struck! The server came back with my mug which was only about 75% full. Apparently, the keg kicked and I got the last of it. Oh well. What do you want these days for three bucks fifty? Plus, the server hooked me up with a to go bag of Taco Mac’s delicious tortilla chips, perhaps as recompense. I lifted the beer to my nose and got a hint of lime. A sip revealed more of the same: this is the lime zest variant! Taco Mac did not mention this in their description, but the lime character in the nose and the palate were unmistakable.

Brand New Eyes Blended Farmhouse Ale with Lime Zest has an alcohol content of 5.3% by volume with 30 IBUs. The brewery lists pilsner, rye, and wheat malts as ingredients.

My mug of Birds Fly South Brand New Eyes Blended Farmhouse Ale arrived a a hazy yellow color with a funky yeast nose and a fluffy white head. Taking a sip the beer is light in body with more of the funk the nose promised, it is tart wheaty with notes of white pepper and tart lime citrus. Finishes dry and spicy.

Tonight, I skipped the wings and got the Savory Garlic Salmon ($14.95) entrée with parmesan zucchini and cilantro lime rice. The funky, peppery, citrusy saison paired perfectly with the entree. It also went well while with my goofy grandson’s game playing faces.

Definitely a beer I would buy again.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??