An organic Pale Ale that is brewed with Cascade hops and yerba mate – a species of the holly plant that produces caffeine-like compounds.
Crackling head drops down to a thin lace with some clinging action on the glass. Nearly clear with a faint haze – most likely from a bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Obvious smell of Cascade hops, with their citric and flowery aroma, then comes a unique herbal note that melds well with the malt. Moderate carbonation lends a bit of crispness. Medium-bodied. Malty and grainy with the first sip, then with each sip after, the Cascade hops extend a long-lingering citric and floral flavor; meanwhile, the yerba mate leaves an earthy tea flavor throughout. Finishes semi-sweet with an herbal flavor.
Not only is this a good Pale Ale, it’s as unique in its marketing was with its employment of yerba mate. Being organic is a plus, as well. No need for a food pairing as this one seems like it wants to stand on its own.
Do you want or need caffeine with your beer? Mate is a variety of tea grown in South America and adds a spicy and herbal note to this hazy gold organic beer with a clean white head. The aroma is herbal and spicy with citrus fruits and a hint of licorice. It is tart, tangy and fruity in the mouth with a big punch of hop resins. The intensely bitter finish has hops, tart fruit, juicy malt and herbs.
The head here is eloquently low key in its proclamations, and followed by well-balanced aromatics. The taste is smooth, friendly and a tiny bit more no-hop bitter than expected; which is surprising because the hop character is noticeable, especially on the nose, but not really so on the palate. Odd, but very interesting and quite delicious.
A session beer drinker’s dream: a CNS depressant and stimulant, all in the same bottle. Citrus, herbal aroma, with a kiss of honey. There’s more citrus again on the palate, with a quickly emerging earthy, somewhat tannic bitterness that crescendos on the finish. The tannins coat the palate and linger long after the swallow-which is easily satiated with another sip. (Could that be why it comes in a 22 oz. bottle?) A pale ale with grit.
When Jim called me looking for yerba mate to brew beer with, I thought, “This guy is nuts.” Then he dropped by my booth at San Francisco Greenfest and gave me a bottle. I tasted it and I went nuts. MateVeza is a whole new species of natural high.
Twelve mile hike around the summit of Mount Tamalpais in the SF Bay Area on a clear, warm, windless day. Spectacular views. Great company. Then popped the ice-cold MateVeza from the cooler at the end of the hike and watched the sunset over the Pacific. The MateVeza never tasted better.
I’m a fan of mate, and a fan of beer (como no!), but even still . . . I was surprised at how much I liked it! It’s not quite as easy as throwing, say peanut butter and chocolate together. The care and craftsmanship come through in the taste. Good stuff!
I have to admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised. What I found most interesting about the product was that there were two very distinct flavors happening at the same time – the sweetness of the ale and the bitterness of the yerba mate. Which worked quite well, in my opinion. The two tastes offset each other nicely. If you’re not a fan of yerba mate – and it can be an acquired taste – you may not agree. But it’s certainly worth a try.
You’ve done a great service to college kids and society on the whole by creating a more respectable (its culture) and justifiable (its caffeinated) breakfast drink.
Thanks for the heads up on where to find your product. It is one of the best beers I have ever had. No BS. I thought the balance of hops and weight were perfect. They only had 4 bottles at the New Frontier market so I will have to pace myself.
It is not often when you think, wow, Yerba Mate would be great in beer, go on the Internet and find it and it is GREAT! There is a God!
I tasted the organic IPA at the Beer Festival in Denver, CO and thought it was the best beer of all 1500 there, hands down! I went back to the Mateveza booth so many times for my 1 oz. pour that the guys there probably got sick of me! Thanks for brewing something delicious!
22 Comments
Crackling head drops down to a thin lace with some clinging action on the glass. Nearly clear with a faint haze – most likely from a bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Obvious smell of Cascade hops, with their citric and flowery aroma, then comes a unique herbal note that melds well with the malt. Moderate carbonation lends a bit of crispness. Medium-bodied. Malty and grainy with the first sip, then with each sip after, the Cascade hops extend a long-lingering citric and floral flavor; meanwhile, the yerba mate leaves an earthy tea flavor throughout. Finishes semi-sweet with an herbal flavor.
Not only is this a good Pale Ale, it’s as unique in its marketing was with its employment of yerba mate. Being organic is a plus, as well. No need for a food pairing as this one seems like it wants to stand on its own.
It really tied the room together.
Everyone in this room is now dumber for having tasted it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
I should have stuck with MateVeza.
The rejuvenating nature of this liquid makes me feel as I would imagine Link felt after drinking the red potion…..Alive! (Restored)!
I know this beer is true. That’s all.
Mate is the best thing to happen to beer since hops! I hope to one day get this beer on tap. Stimulating.
One taste and I went rigid.
A true delicacy.
Good show!
You’ve done a great service to college kids and society on the whole by creating a more respectable (its culture) and justifiable (its caffeinated) breakfast drink.
Good on ya.
Wow!, Jim glad to see things are going so well, and I love the brew!
Q
To those that have ever experienced the stiff neck phenomenon: This herbal remedy saved me. I highly recommend it for acute pain!
It is not often when you think, wow, Yerba Mate would be great in beer, go on the Internet and find it and it is GREAT! There is a God!
Customer for life,
John Dutton
I tasted the organic IPA at the Beer Festival in Denver, CO and thought it was the best beer of all 1500 there, hands down! I went back to the Mateveza booth so many times for my 1 oz. pour that the guys there probably got sick of me! Thanks for brewing something delicious!