- This is allegedly the last bottle of Umami Stout in Illinois. But Maria’s still has six kegs of it.
In September, when I wrote about the launch of Marz Community Brewing, I included this aside: “They’re developing a frankly insane-sounding ‘umami’ stout with Against the Grain in Louisville—it’ll include beer aged in brandy barrels and in, get this, soy-sauce barrels.”
Even before our first sip, it was clear we were dealing with something strange and potentially wonderful. The rich aroma seemed fatty and almost sweet, like warmed whole milk splashed with coconut and vanilla. But it also had the intensely savory aspect of a reduced broth—the shiitakes and soy sauce came through in a pleasantly musty earthiness and a gently briny tang reminiscent of yellow miso soup or a rice porridge flecked with dried salt fish.
One of the last batches on the old gear is another run of Jungle Boogie in bottles and kegs. A pale wheat ale with Mosaic hops and rooibos, it’s the creation of Marz brewer Eli Espinoza, who’s also a member of CHAOS Brew Club. I fell in love with Jungle Boogie in October, when it first came out—it tastes like peach iced tea and fresh blueberries, and it’s unlike any other beer I’ve ever had. It’ll probably cost you $7 or $8 for a slim 16.9-ounce bottle, but it’s worth it. When I ordered a glass at the Hopleaf last week, the bartender said, “Ah, Marz—the new Pipeworks.” So take that how you will.
