My Dad placed another order through Taylor’s Gluten Free Beer Network recently, predominantly to try some more beers from potentially his current favourite brewery: Brass Castle. They are possibly the most experimental gluten free brewery I’ve seen. They make GF beers in a whole host of styles with some wacky flavours to boot. Today’s brew is no different. ‘Heretic’ is a 6.4% Saffron and Cracked Black Pepper Belgian Blonde. One of the strangest sounding beers I’ve seen and hopefully Brass Castle have made it work.

Visually the beer pours a nice cloudy marmalade colour with a small of white head. A really fragrant nose to this. The distinctive saffron coming through with the black pepper and a touch of that Belgian farmhouse sharpness. Overall the beer is floral and flavourful. The black pepper sits nicely at the back complimenting the fresh, full body. The flavour changes a lot as it warms up with saffron becoming more prominent towards the end of the beer.

A quick note on the can art: A really cool black and white photograph on the can. Works very well with the black can. I really like when breweries use photography on their cans.

This is a cracking beer. In all honesty I’ve tried it twice. The first time I had just a sip and while I thought it was good there wasn’t anything standout. However my Dad then told me it was the best gluten free beer he’d ever had! Intrigued I’ve had it again and it is absolutely a beer that gets better as you drink. It’s crisp and fresh with the distincitve flavours not overpowering the main body. As it warms that saffron flavour becomes much more prominent and is a nice contrast to the strength of the pepper. A well balanced and unique beer overall. Potentially my favourite Belgian style beer to date.

Score: 8.5/10

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Additional Information:

• Hops: Not Available
• Malt: Not Available
• IBU: Not Available
• ABV: 6.4%
• Gluten Free: Yes!
• Vegan: Yes!
• Purchase Location: Taylor’s Gluten Free Beer