Cerveza Jerome Rubia
Jerome Cerveza Rubia is the most Champagne-like beer I've ever seen. It's extremely pale yellow and is immensely carbonated. All those bubbles create a stiff, airy cap that looks like blown styrofoam. Even though it isn't the least bit sticky, a splotch or two of watery lace can be seen on the glass. It's an interesting look, but not an especially good one. The nose is no better. If the aroma was a color, it would be extremely pale as well. The label states that Cascade hops (from Patagonia) are used, but I can't smell them. In fact, I'm having a hard time smelling much at all. I know that 'American' blonde ales aren't usually go-getters, but still... Thankfully, the beer is more flavorful than it is aromatic. Flavorful isn't a word that I would use in anything other than a comparative way, though, because there isn't much here to wrap my taste buds around. There's very little malt present and only a token amount of hoppiness. I still don't appreciate Cascade, but something much more herbal and grassy (that probably has German or Czech bloodlines). I'm not going to argue about style assignment, especially since Rubia means 'blonde' in Spanish. However, *this* Rubia tastes more like an underhopped, incredibly dry, incredibly crisp, incredibly carbonated pilsener. One could also think of it as the equivalent of Sauvignon Blanc. Pairing it with grilled swordfish would allow it to shine much more than it does all by its lonesome. Needless to say, the mouthfeel is incredibly light and continues to be chaotically carbonated even though I'm well into the midsection of the bottle. Since the bubbles don't feel too harsh and are so short-lived, I can't really say the beer is fizzy. I liked Jerome Cerveza Negra (a milk/sweet stout) and I fully expected to like Rubia as well. Maybe the overcarbonation is coloring my impressions, but I don't believe that a properly carbonated version would be much better. This one is just too strange for its own good.