Vas Deferens Ale - Caldera Brewing Company

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

650ml bottle poured into tulip 9/5/13 cheers Rutager for the bottle

A if I was judging a book by its cover this ones a "5"for sure, the Devil pumping out a vasectomy by chewing through the Vas Deferens? fucked up to say the least. The beer has a reddish brown color with plenty of streams feeding a short lived finger of foam that leaves some random lace

S hazelnut and brown sugar with a little yeast and coco, I get the the orange after it warms, and it has some earthy notes, smells simple but I like it

T cola comes out and the brown sugars a little burnt, molasses I didn't smell and some anise and plum to go with it, smells good but I thought the nose was kicking ass

M medium bodied and very slick after the fact, bubbles give a little life but it could use a little more, no heat but slimy after the fact, orange peels nutty and lingers faintly

O I thought this one was a good example of the style and even though this was a want based purely on the label the beer itself was pretty good

I myself was sterilized by the devil when I hit puberty, I was told it was for the good of my species. I'm not bitter about it or anything like that I'm just disappointed with the artists interpretation of the event.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 06:14:31 | More by wordemupg

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Seriously fucked up label, yo! Love it.

Appearance. Pours a dark red-brown with a finger of thick off-white head.

Smell. Brown sugar, oranges, some dark fruits. Smells really nice actually!

Taste. Brown sugar and caramel malts, some sweet darker malt, oranges, chocolate and raisins.

Mouthfeel. Medium+ body, below medium very smooth carbonation.

Overall. Really surprised how enjoyable this one was. I figured it was just a novelty but it's a decent beer to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 03:30:47 | More by Rutager

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.63/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Decent malty brew. Served with a nice sized, light tan head that slowly settled and a bit o' lace. Color is a clear, dark cherry brown. Aroma is roast, malt, fruit. Flavor's like nose, plus nutmeats. Body is superb and ditto carbonation. Finish is like flavor, not that long, but exceedingly drinkable. Killer brew!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 03:01:52 | More by drpimento

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a deep amber hue deep and dark with only a finger of head that quickly reduces to nothing.

S - Smells like a Belgium Brown ale with chestnuts and fruity yeasts. Maybe a mild twang of citrus bitterness.

T - Quite good the orange like zest is kind of bittering and mixes well with the typical fruity flavors of a Belgium ale. A slight touch of chocolate and brown nutty malts as well.

M - Medium and chewy yet easy to drink.

Overall totally worth the 6 dollars to try. A tasty Belgium brewed with blood orange.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 00:36:06 | More by DrDemento456

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - brown with a reddish hue; short-lived, soft, white head

S - bready, caramel, some alcohol

T - caramel, nutty, faint roasted, light bitter finish, some spiciness, warming alcohol

M - medium to full bodied, smooth, well carbonated

Not a bad beer. It's nutty and caramelly like a brown ale. The oranges don't come through for me. The alcohol is noticeable but doesn't detract from the flavor. I liked this but I don't like the Belgian label. They may have used Belgian yeast but it comes across more as a brown than a BSDA. Worth a try nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 18:40:01 | More by tdm168

brentk56

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clear russet color with a rocky head that leaves a fair amount of lacing

Smell: Brown bread, chocolate powder and orange

Taste: Tastes as it smells, with the bread and chocolate forward and the orange developing by mid-palate; adds some caramel sweetness, after the swallow though the finish has an odd, phenolic character

Mouthfeel: Medium body and moderate carbonation

Overall: Let's be honest, here - as a BSDA it is a pretty weak effort but I still rather enjoyed the beer; call it an English Brown with a twist and I would be inclined to rate it higher

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 21:54:54 | More by brentk56

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A different Belgian. Aging this several months, in Tim's ideal garage helped mellow the yeasty part, leading way to the blood orange taste. Cross-style. Earthy. Very good drinkability.Not too sweet, more like a "juice not from concentrate".

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 03:11:49 | More by northyorksammy

bbb099

California

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Impressive, clear reddish amber color with a foamy white head.

S - Licorice, dark fruits, and cocoa. Almost imperial stout-like.

T - Smoky roasted malt and dark fruits with an orange-finish.

M - Low carbonation, full-bodied.

O - Decent aroma and taste. The orange didn't come through as strong as I thought, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 20:29:27 | More by bbb099

BilbosNuts

California

3.38/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a clear garnet color with some hints of cherry red coming through. It has a creamy one finger khaki white head that reduces to a thin film across the top. The beer appears pretty still, no carbonation is seen.

S: Sweet dark fruits are the backbone which include plums and dates. Phenolic smells come through along with belgian yeast.

T: The taste is pretty much the same as the aroma with lots of dark fruits, phenolic aspects, and the belgian yeast.

M: The feel is a little disappointing as it is on the thin side and has a somewhat watery feel. It is very still with no carbonation detected.

O: This beer was just slightly above average for me. The aroma and taste weren't bad, but could use some more depth. The feel was a letdown and could use some work. I picked this one up because of the artwork, but probably won't revisit it very often.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 01:10:09 | More by BilbosNuts

n2185

North Carolina

2.93/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: pours a dark mahogany with a finger of khaki head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: some slight roasted malt aromas at first followed by bubblegum and candy sugar notes. Sweet, dark fruit aromas like plums follow. Slight spices mix with faint notes of chocolate and nuts for the finish. Smells pretty nice.

T: unfortunately the flavor doesn't live up to the aroma. Spices with some roasted malt and nutty flavors up front followed by a light Belgian candy sweetness. The finish has a light smoky bitterness and alcohol burn.

M: medium-light body with medium carbonation, this beers burn and bitterness keep it from being crisp.

O: not a bad beer, though I have to say that I bought it mostly because of its name. It smells good, but that's the most it has going for it.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 01:33:06 | More by n2185

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.45/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this ine from the Nashvillian (cheers John)

Pours chestnut/mahogany with a pinky of of tan head. Average head retention & good lacing

S: Rich dark fruit, chocolate. All fade as this warms

T: Follows the nose, dryness, apricot, pears & cherries with a touch of oakyness up front. I start picking some candi orange notes as this warms, a touch of juicy fruit gum on the edges, along with apple skins. Finishes dry with some orange rind bitterness showing up, some cocoa powder as well

MF: Medium bodied, fairly firm carbonation, a bit too dry for my liking

A decent shot at the style, just didn't pull a the way together for me, still very drinkable

Was hoping for some like an acholic version of Terry's Orange Chocolate (if you know what I'm talking about)

Having read other reviews, yeah what is up with that label? Not sure what that demon is is grabbing...

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 04:02:10 | More by russpowell

mjyoung

California

3.85/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Drank 11/5/11

A: A slightly reddish amber hue, with a head that dissipates quickly and completely. Intriguing simply because it's a different color.

S: It smells like an orange chocolate bar. Not what I was expecting at all, but I like it. Not the most exceptional or complex beer I've had, but it's good.

T: Again, orange chocolate. Mmm mmm good. Very well balanced, and not a hint of booze.

M: Good intermediate body, but nothing special.

O: I enjoyed this beer, but I much prefer Caldera's other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 04:58:55 | More by mjyoung

phichifiji00

California

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: Deep mahogany with red hue, pours 1 finger of off-white head that fades quickly. Lots of lacing.

Smell: Roasted malt, chocolate, orange zest, slightly boozy as it warms, raw sugars.

Taste: roasted malt, chocolate, blood orange, sweet, brown sugar.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, good carbonation.

Overall: A tasty porter. I like the subtle blood orange element. Not a lot going on here, but what there is is quite good. Drinkability is above average.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 20:45:02 | More by phichifiji00

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Piraat tulip. 1/2 finger of lazy tan bubbles formed on top of the dark copper/brown body. The head vanished rather qucikly, but laced the walls of the glass nicely.

This smells a lot like a classic quad...lots of dark fruits, plums and malt.

Just as the nose indicates, the dark fruits are the major flavor here. The blood oranges can be detected slightly, but not as strongly as other beers that contain the same citrus.

Medium bodied...a little sticky with moderate carbonation.

Not a bad offering...a little heavy after the first glass. Well balanced flavors and one of the coolest (and disturbing) labels of all time!

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 03:13:25 | More by mgbickel

vande

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: a coppery, somewhat bronze type color with a nice thin layer of lace left atop.
S: Malty and some dark fruit notes... plumb/fig..but a sweet
T: the malty sweentness blended with the dark fruits do make for an interesting tasting beer.
M: medium bodied dark ale, relatively easy to drink...
O: pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 00:39:13 | More by vande

oline73

Maryland

3.43/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear very dark redish amber with a finger of tan head that fades to a ring.

Smell: Malty with some fruity notes along with mild chocolate and spice.

Taste: More fruit here than in the smell. Malty and quite sweet, I'm picking up just a bit of the orange. The finish is malty and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with prickly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Not as much citrus and I would have expected. I would have liked more fruit to go along with everything else. I would probably pass on this one in the future.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 03:18:20 | More by oline73

pitasoup

Tennessee

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: pours clear dark brown with a hint of ruby. one finger of white head, very fine buttles that are slow to subside, no lacing.

S: barley malt, orange zest, pumpkin spices? i'd almost want to guess summit hops without the onionyness.

T: slight hop bitterness at first, then smoked and barley malts, vanilla, bread, campfire, caramel, honey, and lingering hops. a touch of minerallyness, perhaps crystal hops?

M: slightly astringent from the carbonation that quickly subsided to smooth medium bodied barley malt. marginally tart on the tongue afterwards.

O: bottle says orange bitters and zest - i only taste zest, and not that much, which may have been better replicated w/ appropriate hops. a fun beer overall, i'd drink it again, but not at the large-bottle price. if it sold itself as a brown ale, i'd like it more. belgian yeasts arent as present, and the intended spicing is overwhelmed by roasted barley. i liked this a lot, despite being oddly unfitting to any style.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 03:48:12 | More by pitasoup

match1112

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: dark brown with amber highlights, no head or lacing.

s: dark malts, medicine, little orange and rubbing alochol.

t: malts, caramel, no medicine but dark fruits, other than bitters no other orange taste detected.

m: full body with some bitterness.

o: worth trying once, dont think i'll seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 00:15:50 | More by match1112

Siggy125

California

3.18/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

poured from a 22oz bottle to a couple of taster glasses with a buddy. Dark amber/copper in color, dusty off white head with fast fading carbonation. A little haziness.

Smells of hard candy, tart citrus, spices and little like a fruity cough medicine. Not in a bad way though. I enjoy the aroma after a few minutes of temp increases. The tart nose softened a bit.

Tastes a little sweet, I get the hard candy sugars again, dark fruits, faint orange zest. The flavors are combining with a slight medicinal taste. Some spices, maybe nutmeg, cinnamon? The orange flavor comes across a bit "artificial", maybe the bitters?

A very different brew, surprised my palate a bit. Stands on its own in flavor and not like anything I wouldve expected. I enjoyed it more at cask temp after it smoothed out. Deecent mouthfeel. Not in hurry to obtain more, but not really bad if you want to try something new.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 22:36:48 | More by Siggy125

beer2day

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had to give this a try, based on the name and the label. A bit disturbing, if you dwell on it too much.

Ruby brown with 1-finger pale cream head. Light lace and just a touch of head left at the bottom of the glass. Great color, though.

Nose is caramel and brown sugar with a touch of Belgian yeast. Getting the orange zest about half-way through the glass.

Orange much more evident in the taste, with more blood orange than zest. Lots of caramel malt and sweet molasses here. A bit of roasted toffee, too. Touch of bitter orange in the finish. Nice twist.

Feel is pretty solid. Very creamy with just a touch of carbonation.

Overall well worth trying. Just got to get past that label.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 01:00:46 | More by beer2day

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had to get this one for the name, Grabbed a bottle when I came across it at the store. The pour was a murky orange brown color with a fluffy tan colored head on it. The smell of Belgian yeast was prominent, along with some citrusy aromas and earth too. The taste of the beer had some sweet notes up front with the fruits and brown sugars that might be in there. The finish was a little on the dry and spicy side. The mouthfeel I thought was just a little thin. Overall the beer was worth the try for sure. I would probably buy this one again in the fututre.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 03:17:48 | More by Knapp85

Urbancaver

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish brown. Fairly clear with a bit of white head. Smells orange heavy and sweet dark carmels malts. Vry rich and dark . Brown sugar sweetness. Almost a burnt caramel on he tongue, the orange is not as strong as i would like. Thick and full bodied. Overall very nice compared to what I expected

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 00:59:43 | More by Urbancaver

sgsmfdoom

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smell is light, almost non-existent, must be trapped in the dark amber. Very light head tops a thin effervescent surface. Taste is belgian yet bitter, with very little of the promised oranges. I'm getting a lot of roast out of this, which normally would be a compliment but it just doesn't fit what I was expecting. Aside from the bitter notes the beer is pretty good, it's almost like a belgian strong dark coffee stout ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 03:35:54 | More by sgsmfdoom

Nashvillain

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is an awesome color, a very dark brown that only lets small amounts of light through around the edges. Head is thin and fleeting, the small amount that sticks around is like cream poured in a latte. Smell is a light belgian roastiness, something like a sweetness mixed with coffee and a slight amount of bread. It's very faint, hard to pull out any specific aromas.

Taste is great, a roasty brown ale with a belgian-friendly slant. The yeast lightens up the beer considerably, very thin up front with most of the body in the middle and finish. The sweetness hits first, followed by the roasty flavors and orange bitters in the back end. Nothing in the beer is really overpowering, but it's not weak, just tame. On the whole, it seems like there's a tendency to go crazy in the BSDA category, this is a reserved offering that's great for a nice relaxing evening, definitely in opposition to what the label may suggest.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 02:19:32 | More by Nashvillain

CHILLINDYLAN

Washington

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber with an awesome label.
Clear deep amber with razzberry and apricot highlights. A big dense tan head with decent retention. Tight sheets of lace.

Blood orange, caramel, dark candi sugar/brown sugar, toasty, spices, pie crust. Some fruity Belgian yeast esters.

Sweet toasty caramel, brown sugar and spices, pie crust. Bitter blood orange. Nice and bitter, counters the sweetness.

Smooth, no bite. Full feeling medium body. Slow med carbonation.

Very drinkable and interesting brew. Complex, lots of flavors, and very enjoyable. Hilarious name and label.

bomber enjoyed 9/12/10

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 22:41:40 | More by CHILLINDYLAN