Utah Beer Review: TF Brewing's Horse Thief and Kiitos' Tropical Haze IPA 

• Mike Riedel

TF - Horse Thief: This is a representation in beer form of a cocktail created at Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship called Horse Thief. The cocktail is a blend of Casa Noble Reposado Tequila, High West Campfire Whiskey, Green Chartreuse, Ginger Syrup, Lime juice and blackberries. Templin's interpretation has a sour base beer. The combination of these ingredients may sound daunting, but the end result was a truly unique and memorable brew.

The beer had a beautiful, hazy appearance with a deep, ruby red color. The aroma was a mix of tart blackberries and the herbal notes of Green Chartreuse, which gave the beer an intriguing complexity from the start.

As I took my first sip, I was immediately struck by the tartness of the blackberries, which was perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the Ginger Syrup and the tangy Lime juice. The flavors were complex and layered, with a subtle hint of the herbal notes of Green Chartreuse coming through on the finish. The mouthfeel was smooth and effervescent, with a lively carbonation that gave the beer a refreshing zing. The acidity was perfectly balanced, giving the beer a pleasing tartness without overpowering the other flavors.

As I continued to drink, I noticed a subtle spiciness emerging from the ginger, which added a pleasing warmth to each sip. The finish was dry and crisp, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of tart blackberries and lime juice on the palate.

Verdict: While no tequila, whiskey or those spiritus flavors were used to make this beer, I was impressed with this sour. It was an excellent blend of flavors that worked together in perfect harmony, creating a truly unique and memorable brew. If you're a fan of sour beers that push the boundaries of flavor, this one is definitely worth trying.

Kiitos - Tropical Haze IPA: This latest version of tropical haze features thiol yeast that imparts big fruity flavors as a byproduct of the fermentation process. The yeast gives the beer a unique flavor profile that was unlike any other IPA I've tasted. The beer poured a hazy golden color with a thick, creamy head that held its shape even as I drank.

Upon first swig, I was struck by the explosion of fruit flavors that flooded my palate. The Thiol yeast brought a delightful complexity to the beer, with a mix of melon and berry flavors that danced across my tongue. The melon flavor was especially prominent, with a juicy sweetness that was perfectly balanced by the bitterness of the hops.

The mouthfeel was smooth and velvety, with just enough carbonation to give the beer a refreshing zip. The bitterness had an excellent balance, adding a refreshing snap to each sip without overwhelming the implied fruity flavors from the hops and yeast. As I continued, I noticed a subtle hint of spice emerging, which added a pleasing warmth to each sip. The finish was dry and satisfying, with a pleasant aftertaste that lingered on the palate.

Verdict: I was blown away by the melon flavors in this IPA. The yeast definitely stole the show and brought a unique character to the beer that set it apart from other IPAs I've tried, with a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and bitterness. If you're a fan of juicy, complex IPAs, this beer is definitely one to try.

Tropical Haze IPA dials in at 5.0 percent ABV and is available now on draft at Kiitos – it's also available in 16 ounce cans. Horse Thief comes in at 4.8 percent and is also available on draft or in 16 ounce cans. This is a smaller batch, so take that into consideration when planning your purchase. As always, cheers.