Beer Review: Great Notion Brewing – Triple Berry Shake
Style: Tart Ale / Fruited Sour
The Pour – Straight out of the can, Triple Berry Shake looks less like a beer and more like a fresh fruit smoothie. It pours a viscous, completely opaque midnight purple with a thick, frothy head that resembles blackberry-stained whipped cream. The lacing left on the glass is heavy and vibrant, a testament to the massive fruit load within.
The Aroma – The bouquet is an absolute berry bombardment. Before the glass even hits your nose, you’re met with the scent of wild berry preserves and damp forest floor. The black currant provides a sharp, earthy top note that is beautifully softened by the sweet, comforting aroma of Madagascar vanilla bean. It smells expensive, dense, and unapologetically bold.
The Palate – The first sip is a masterclass in balance between high acidity and dessert-like sweetness.
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- The Front: An immediate zing of tart black currant and tangy blackberry hits the tongue, providing a refreshing “pucker” factor.
- The Middle: The blueberry takes over, adding a rounder, jammy sweetness that fills out the mid-palate.
- The Texture: The mouthfeel is the standout feature—it’s velvety, heavy, and coat-your-teeth thick, living up to its “Shake” moniker.
The Finish – As the tartness subsides, the vanilla finish sweeps in to clean everything up. It transforms the sharp fruit acids into a creamy, silken end-note that tastes remarkably like berry cobbler à la mode. Despite the intensity, it remains shockingly drinkable, hiding its higher ABV behind a wall of pureed fruit.
Great Notion continues to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the “culinary beer” world. Triple Berry Shake isn’t just a sour; it’s an immersive experience. While purists might find it too far removed from a traditional ale, fans of the Fruited Sour movement will find this to be a benchmark for the style. It is decadent, loud, and utterly delicious.
Pairs well with:
Lemon cheesecake, a rainy Pacific Northwest afternoon, or simply enjoyed on its own as a liquid dessert.