Here’s my latest find from the Cherry Street Brewing Cooperative of Cumming, Georgia: Groovy Child Dry Hopped Guava Ale. I saw this on tap at Taco Mac and ordered up a fill of my brand-new Chancellor mug. I wasn’t disappointed. Certainly, it’s the fruit that’s going to be the star with a blonde ale base, but the dry hopping balances it nicely and keeps it from being cloying. Always a pitfall with these types of beers (do guavas have pits? I don’t even know).
Cherry Street says this beer is available March through May, but I’m drinking it on June 11th. Close enough as makes no odds, folks. It’s a spring offering, though I think it might be even better in the brutal heat to come here in Georgia. Cherry Street is a small brewer and as far as I know does not export outside of the Peach State.
From the website:
A juicy blonde ale brewed with guava nectar and the taste of the spring air. Dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops to add a delicious crushed grape aroma and soft finishing notes across the tongue. Crisp flavors of tropical fruits swirl over the taste buds to give a refreshing introduction to spring weather.
Ingredients from the website:
Malts: Belgian Pils, US 2row, White Wheat, Munich, Vienna, Flaked Maize, Flaked Rice
Hops: Northern Brewer, Mt. Hood, Saaz, Dry Hopped with Nelson Sauvin and El Dorado
Cherry Street Groovy Child Dry Hopped Guava Ale has an alcohol content of 4.5% by volume with 23 IBUs. I paid $6.25 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac.
My mug of Cherry Street Groovy Child Dry Hopped Guava Ale arrived a cloudy blonde in color with a thin but persistent creamy head and a nose resplendent with exotic guava aroma. Taking a sip, the beer has a medium maltiness with crackery wheat notes, citric orange juice and tropical guava, and a long dry sharp minty bitter hop finish.
I’m not sure what the Nelson Sauvins added here (tough to tell with the fruity guava present) though I’m sure they impart something. I didn’t get the crushed grape, and I’m glad I hadn’t read the commercial description before trying the beer. Sometimes, when someone tells you you’re gonna get crushed grape, you get crushed grape. I did get a very tasty and refreshing spring ale all the same in Cherry Street Groovy Child Dry Hopped Guava Ale. Give it a try. I think you’ll enjoy it too.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft