OK, Mantra Artisan Ales of Franklin, TN. You’re on my radar!  Mantra just opened in 2015 if their website is any indication, and while I’ve never been there (yet), I will say they’ve managed to wow me like no other brewer has in a long time with their Mantra Brett Project L a sour beer in the lambic style fermented with Brettanomyces yeast and, get this, blue cheese.

I don’t know a lot about the brewery or the beer yet, but Mantra does have a taproom that’s open Wednesdays through Sundays. I bought a growler of Mantra Brett Project L at Wild Hare Beer Company in Spring Hill, and they enthusiastically suggested it as something different. That it certainly is, and it’s a beer I think you’ll either love or hate. Mantra is owned and operated by a couple of Indian heritage, and the folks at Wild Hare told me their beer is designed to pair with Indian food. I’m not sure that’s the case here, but I’ll keep that in mind all the same.

Mantra Brett Project L has an alcohol content of 5% by volume according to my growler tag and I paid $7.50 for 32-ounces of draft at Wild Hare.

Mantra Brett Project L pours to a pale yellow color with a minimal head of wispy foam and a nose like stinky cheese. Taking a sip there’s a biscuity palate underneath and tart wheat, then tangy bleu cheese flavor, funky horse blanket Brett and a rather tart sour finish at the last.

Folks, Mantra Brett Project L is Amazing! The bready malt combines with the cheese to give a cheese and crackers in a glass impression. One of the strangest beers to pass these lips in a long time, but it really works. Not only would I buy this beer again, I would go out of my way to do so.

Wine enthusiasts enjoy cheese with their preferred libation. Beer drinkers can now enjoy cheese in their favorite drink. Game over. Beer wins.  

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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