394. Fernson Brewing Co. (Sioux Falls, SD) - Shy Giant

“At 7% ABV and 55 IBUs, it’s a big beer. It’s brewed with a healthy dose of Belma® and Mosaic hops, and dry hopped with Mosaic® and Citra® hops. It sounds like a giant—and it is— but it’s a giant with a lighter side. Grapefruit and citrus flavors create a beautiful nose followed by a balance of hop character and maltiness. This is a beer that doesn’t need to beat its chest to prove how strong it is. This is a beer that understands bigness without balance will only make you stumble. Sometimes it’s the shy giant who stands tallest.”

I had one of these out of a can at a crappy Rapid City chain restaurant, and then stopped in Sioux Falls on our way home for a carry-out six-pack. I gave one to Shane, and this is the fourth of the remaining five. Each one has tasted a little bit different. The one at the restaurant tasted like sweet, juicy stone fruit; and the ones I brought home tasted more like pine and citrus—until this one, which tastes like stone fruit again (with a little bit of bite from the alcohol, which I hadn’t noticed before). The fifth one is pine and citrus again—and either way, it’s an excellent beer.