August Schell Apparent Horizon

This is a 5.1% ABV berlinner weisse from the August Schell Brewing Company of New Ulm, Minnesota.  Schell's was established in 1860 and I believe they are the second oldest family owned brewery in the United States, behind Yuengeling. This beer is part of their Noble Star Collection of Berliner weisse style beers. There is a good description of the process for this beer on their website: "Apparent Horizon was brewed as a slightly stronger, “Vollbier” (full beer) strength Berliner Weisse, with a 35% portion of the malt bill coming from rye malt.  After a mixed primary fermentation with yeast and lactobacillus bacteria, it was transferred into our original, 1936 Cypress wood lagering tank.  An authentic brettanomyces culture was pitched for a long, slow, 9-month secondary fermentation.  The resulting beer is a highly complex, spicy version of a Berliner Weisse.  It features a moderate but balanced acidity with notes of lemon and cider."

The beer pours a slightly hazed honey golden yellow. There is a short and short-lived head of white foam. The aroma is tangy and fruity over toasted rye. The taste follows the aromas, tangy and fruity, over rich toasted and roasted rye. It is like tart fruit on a mild rye toast. The beer drinks easy with tingling carbonation. This is very well put together; Schell's is really dialing these sours in now.