“tinyHaus” is 10 Barrel Brewing’s “brewery within a brewery,” essentially a 10-barrel pilot brewing system that serves as a bit of a playground for specialty, limited beers that can showcase the brewing team’s creativity. The project is led by brewmaster Tonya Cornett, and releases a number of these beers in cans each year.

I’ve tried a number of these, including the two I’m reviewing here—the latest two that I’ve received recently from Cornett—and I can confidently say the tinyHaus beers are consistently interesting and inventive.

Agrio Morado

Agrio Morado was #012 in the series, a sour ale brewed with purple corn, butterfly pea flower, pineapple, quince, and “spice” (I don’t know what spice) — a pretty unusual combination to be sure! Here’s the description I’d posted when I received it:

This exciting Sour Ale was inspired by the refreshing Peruvian drink “Chicha Morado”. After a cereal mash of purple corn and lactobacilus souring, the beer is given a hefty dose of pineapple, a touch of Quince, and a blend of spices to create an enticing aroma. A post fermentation addition of butterfly pea flowers helps enhance the vibrant purple color.

It’s 6.2% ABV and yes, it does really look like that. It was brewed by Ian Larkin.

Appearance: Deep, deep purple with shades of black and gold/copper. Clear. Fizzy purple-tinged head that doesn’t last.

Smell: Fruitiness that reminds me a little of Hawaiian Punch crossed with grape soda and a slight tart funk. Cherry/prune juice.

Taste: Lactic tart snap with a similarly tart juice note that hits at the back and sides of the cheeks. No sense of spices but I’d suspect the quince gives tart fruit, and there’s a sweet element that’s got whispers of fruit cocktail. Refreshing with a sour citrus quality I get as it warms (the quince again?). Well balanced, and fruit punch-like.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light and tart, with a good crisp accompaniment to the pucker.

Overall: Super interesting, balanced, maybe a bit sangria-like.

Out of Focus Peach Hazy IPA

On the surface, a hazy IPA isn’t terribly innovative these days, but with Out of Focus, Cornett added “a ton” of yellow and white peaches to this beer to amp up the juiciness. I think it’s the  most recent tinyHaus release; I received it last month. It’s 7.2% ABV with 40 IBUs.

Appearance: Moderately hazy, maybe more golden translucent, with nice finely-structured white head.

Smell: Peach juice and allium—light chives, with some other light tropical fruit notes. Some candied fruits as well, a touch caramelized, and a hint of Juicy Fruit gum.

Taste: Spicy-zesty hops with a big peach presence but it’s not sweet—it’s like the peach (flesh) flavor with peach skin but the sugars have fermented out. Allium notes, kind of garlic scape-like, but not overwhelming. Some spicy grains as well, which makes me think of rye. Not terribly bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and not terribly “hazy” or thick; spicy(ish) finish that lingers.

Overall: A decent hazy and I do like that peach character.