We pulled out all the stops and set the thrusters to Ludicrous Speed for this limited tenth anniversary Outer Reaches release. Cara cara, blood orange, grapefruit, lemon, honey, pink peppercorns, our house culture blend and yeast taken from the knees of a literal bee all went into the tank to create an otherworldly fuel that should keep the mothership on track for another decade and then some. TENfinity…and BEYOND!

Review courtesy of our Sensory Specialist, Travis Houston, a Certified Cicerone and FoBAB judge.

Vintage: 2023

Months Aged: 36

Culture: Mixed Culture (more on this below!)

This is a special, very limited tenth anniversary Outer Reaches release. There is a lot going on in this one—talk us through the ingredients, fermentation regimen, and some other things that make this release so special.

This beer is a blend of 2 different barrel aged brews. The first contained a blend of lemon, cara cara, blood orange, and grapefruit, fermented with our house Brett and Lacto strains. The second brew had pink peppercorn added, and was fermented with our Bee’s Knees yeast, a wild yeast that we captured from the legs of a bee that landed on a petri dish. This yeast adds an extra layer of complexity, bringing rustic floral notes that beautifully compliment our house Brett strain. Finally, the 2 batches were blended, into which locally sourced honey and fresh lime were added. The honey sparked a secondary fermentation that helped to meld the beers into a delicious concoction that starts with bright, fresh citrus and acidity and leads to deep, complex spice and wild yeast funk.

What makes you want to drink this beer?

The thought that went into this beer is obvious at the first sip. The intent was to create a beer that takes you on a journey of flavors, reminiscent of the journey that’s been our last 10 years. It starts bright and fresh, much like we were in 2013, with loads of juicy citrus, mainly grapefruit and orange. Acidity accompanies the fruit, drawing out the lemon and lime, while emphasizing the orange. Pink peppercorn shows up shortly after, blending with a mild honey note that draws out the rustic floral character that our Bee’s Knees yeast contributes. The finish lingers mildly with acidity and citrus, highlighted by slight peppery spice. The result is a beer with layers of depth only possible by blending 2 uniquely complementary brews.

What are some of your favorite mixed culture fruited sour beers?

Cantillon, a traditional Belgian brewery located in Brussels, brews not only the best mixed fermentation sours I’ve ever tasted, but many consider them the best brewery in the world. Cascade and Allagash also both make world-class mixed ferm beers.

Appearance: Light gold with some haze and minimal white foam.

Aroma: Tons of fresh citrus, mainly grapefruit and orange, plus hints of honey and pink peppercorn.

Taste: Grapefruit and orange meet the palate with complex acidity, leading to floral, spicy notes of honey, pink peppercorn, and Brett funk.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and effervescent.

Overall: This blended, barrel aged, mixed fermentation sour features bright citrus notes from the additions of lemon, cara cara, blood orange, grapefruit, and lime. Pink peppercorn and honey add spicy and floral complexity, as does the use of our own Bee’s Knees yeast. Complex acidity and medium-high carbonation help to keep the overall impression light and crisp while allowing the deep, layered flavors to linger pleasantly after each sip.

What foods would pair well with Tenfinity and Beyond?

This beer would go well with a deep, rich dish like prime rib, or a hearty steak.

Ideal glassware for T&B? A snifter