(Thanks to DCBeer contributor Bruce Webster for writing this profile.)
Name: Lucid Brewing
Location: Minnetonka, MN
Website: http://www.lucidbrewing.com/
Type: Production brewery
Available in DC Market: No
What you need to know: Opened in 2011 (with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign), Lucid Brewing’s mission statement is: “From Clarity in Thinking Comes Excellence in Drinking.” To the brewers that means thinking about product lines, ingredients, quality control, etc. with a goal of producing craft beer that is “refined yet approachable.” Their mainstay beers (low alcohol, American style ales) reflect this, but they have also begun to produce some higher alcohol beers, including their SAVOR offerings. In addition, they are definitely interested in combinations of wine and beer, as evidenced by one of their SAVOR offerings, and their Saturday salon (“Beer and Wine Hybrids”).
Beer #1: DUO (Imperial IPA/ 9% ABV)
Beer Description: Brewed with a blend of Citra, Simcoe, Chinook and Falconer’s Flight Hops, DUO has a pine, citrus and tropical fruit aroma and flavor. The body is light and refreshing with a clean finishing malt backbone.
Food Pairing: Clams on the Half Shell (steamed clams topped with garlic, thyme and lemon. Served chilled on the shell.)
Our Thoughts: Thanks to Lucid for sending us some DUO and a variety of other beers for tasting. The nose on Lucid was enough to make the three of us tasting it go "Whoa." Huge grapefruit aroma that nearly causes you to step back. The beer isn't nearly as fruity on the palate with orange and citrus being the main notes. Pine is somewhat subdued, this is much more of a citrus bomb. The finish is a mouth-smackingly bitter punch that lets you know you're drinking every single IBU of a DIPA. If you're into grapefruit and citrus with your IPA (and really, who isn't?). grab this one when you're nearby. Note that a beer this big is absolutely going to overwhelm the pairing of clams on the half shell.
Beer #2: Halucidation – Solera (Sour/Wild Ale / 12.5% ABV)
Beer Description: A blend of 50% Halucidation Frontenac Gris (a strong Belgian ale brewed with a local white wine grape juice and French saison yeast) and 50% Halucidation Pinot Noir (a strong Belgian ale brewed with local red wine grape juice and Brettanomyces bruxellensis) using solera blending techniques. The Halucidation Frontenac Gris provides apricot and tropical fruit flavors with some peppery esters, but there isn’t a lot of tasting information on the Halucidation Pinot Noir or the resulting blend.
Food Pairing: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie – Tart shells filled with poached rhubarb and fresh strawberries.
Our Thoughts: Thanks to Lucid for sending us the Hallcuidation and the Hallucidation Solera blend. The Hallcuidation is a scaled up version of their Silo saison (going from 5.5% to 12.5%). The Solera is what will be served at SAVOR. The presence of the grapes is unmistakable. Oenophiles rejoice! There isn't a ton of Brett funk to this, but there are very beautiful oak and vanilla notes that are warming against the acid of the wine grapes. There won’t be anything like this beer at SAVOR. The strawberry rhubarb pie pairing's success will largely depend on how sweet it is. A pie on the sweeter side will pair quite nicely, and it would be even better if there is some vanilla or cream in said pie. If the pie runs toward the more acidic/tart side, the pairing could be tart on tart. Time will tell!
This profile is a part of the DCBeer.com SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2014 SAVOR participants.
