Burlington Funk: Uncommon Element Brett Pale Ale

Nickel Brook Brewing Co. messed around with funky brettanomyces yeast when developing their Uncommon Element Brett Pale Ale. At 5.2%, 38 IBUs, and sold in an odd format 375mL bottle, Ue is a hazy dull-gold brew that pours with a serious cloud of off-white foam.

Ue has a funky, slightly juicy yeast nose. Strong yeast dominates the flavour, but beneath it, there are some tangy fruit notes, as well as a modestly bitter and crisply dry finish.

Having sampled a fair number of Brett-built pale ales, I'd have to say the Uncommon Element is quite good, but not great. It has the Belgian-inspired yeast funk in spades, but I'd have liked that to be compliment a bitterer, more assertive and distinctive taste. Still, would definitely buy again. Ue beat back a hot summer afternoon with crispness and substantial refreshment.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.