Vas Deferens Ale - Caldera Brewing Company

emmasdad

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to inflatablechair for sending out this great extra last month. Shared with a few others last saturday night. Poured a nice reddish brown color, with a bit of tan head on top. Aromas of toasted malt, caramel, orange zest and yeast. Medium bodied, with flavors of orange, caramel, toasted malt and yeast.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 19:30:57 | More by emmasdad

Bendurgin

Maine

3.6/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I got this one from Lazerlobe a while back in a BIF. Thanks again! Poured into a tulip. The beer pours a dark mahogany with slight red hughs and a small off white head.

Interesting aroma here. I get dark chocolaty malts with a hint of orange zest. Don't really know where the chocolate is coming from but this smells pretty good. Choclate taste without much noticability of orange flavors as the label of the beer would indicate. Strong malt flavors here.

The feel is pretty good, soft carbonation and a full body help this a lot. Good beer, kind of a sipper and it's not so much what I thought it would be as the label indicates but an interesting effort.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2011 22:00:47 | More by Bendurgin

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

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

Pecan shell dark brown that becomes burnt orange and dark cherry red with backlighting. Appropriate color for a BSDA. The good looking lid of golden khaki is not Belgianesque... nor was it expected to be. Thick streamers of sudsy lace means no real negatives.

I'm not getting much in the way of Belgian yeast esters in the nose, which makes me think the brewers used dark candi sugar, but not Belgian yeast, and called it a day. Not getting the blood orange zest either, just some dark malts.

Vas Deferens Ale is the first Caldera brew that I haven't enjoyed immensely. While it isn't bad beer, it's a sorry excuse for a BSDA no matter how you slice it. The flavor profile does not fit the style, not least because there still isn't much contribution from the yeast... which is what should be driving this car.

Specifics include toasted pumpernickel, medium-dark fruit, black tea, black pepper and a modicum of citrus zest. That last one isn't immediately recognizable as orange, blood or otherwise. Warming brings a bit more boldness and definition, which is enough to tilt the score in an upward direction. Good sweet-bitter balance and skilled alcohol masking help too.

Since nothing else about this brew is Belgianesque, it would unfair to ask the mouthfeel to be. It has neither the medium-full creaminess, the expansiveness, nor the hang-on that it needs to earn the 4.0.

Unless you have a passing familiarity with human anatomy and physiology, it's probably best that you don't know what the singing devil on the rather disturbing label is being showered with. Hey Caldera, in the interests of gender equality, how about giving us Fallopian Tube Flanders Red Ale next?

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 13:26:49 | More by BuckeyeNation

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #42 (Jul 2010):

Crazy name, disturbing label. WTF!! LOL ... we're OK now. It's a dark and heady brew. Brown sugar, medicinal phenols, bubble gum and ripe fruit make for a Belgian-like aroma. It is crisp and smooth with a bitty mouth- feel. Suggestions of chocolate, oranges, toasted bread and rum come to mind. With modest hops, the alcohol is very prevalent; lots of ripe tropical fruit in tow. Bitter orange wins over the blood orange zest. This beer is not half bad, and certainly worth a try if you can get past the label.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 03:23:33 | More by BeerAdvocate

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Beer poured from a bottle into a beer mug. The beer pours an extremely dark brown with a foamy, light 2" head. The beer has smells of alcohol, citrus, and heavy malts, but all well blended together. The beer has a robust burst of flavors, again well blended like the smell. There are flavors of malt, sweetness, citrus/orange, and a little bit of molasses undertone. It's impressive that these bold flavors all blend so well, and the beer still manages to be smooth in mouth. There is an alcohol tinge to the flavor, and it is rather pleasant along with the rest of the beer. There is a very smooth finish, as well, and the beer is surprisingly easy to drink despite all the strong flavors and the decent ABV. Pretty decent brew, and it's unfortunate that this is a rare release. I think this could be a decent flagship beer for the brewery. If it weren't for the sticker price, I would bring home a lot of this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 23:29:06 | More by GarthDanielson

chumba526

Oregon

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

Appears dark brown with a medium light brown head.

It smells of oranges, chocolate, nutty malts and it strangely smells a bit like cherries.

It tastes strongly of oranges. The orange flavor almost has a fresh taste to it. The malt taste to the beer is a bit nutty and chocolate like. There is a noticeable amount of Belgian yeast flavor. I get a tangy almost chalky flavor from the yeast. The yeast also seems to add some fruity characteristic to the beer. This most orange tasting beer I have ever had. They must have added a lot of orange zest to the beer.

The carbonation is medium low in this beer. It has a smooth carbonation to it.

The drinkability is pretty good for the how high it is in alcohol. The beer has a smooth flavor so it is quite easy to drink.

Overall, a distinctive creative ale that has some minor flaws but overall is a nice tasting beer. This is an interesting take on Belgian strong ale. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 03:31:16 | More by chumba526

Xul

California

3/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a translucent, deep ruby with brown highlights, capped by a finger and a half of frothy head. Retention is moderate as it settles down to a thin layer of foam and holds there.

S: Dark fruits - prunes and figs - along with some oranges and wheaty base. A strange salty, vinegary aroma not unlike green olives lurks in the background. Doesn't kill the beer, but it's a big strange.

T: Lots of dark malts, some chocolate and coffee, and a big dose of dark fruits. The oranges come through a bit but not overwhelmingly. Some light tartness near the backend. Long, sweet finish.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation.

D: Bold flavors, but somewhat unbalanced...not a particularly interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2010 01:32:44 | More by Xul

Docer

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Roommates GF brought home a bottle to try... love the name, label.. etc.... let's see what we've got...

- Clear, and rather dark brown ale of sorts.. glows a touch red as well... big off-white head... leaves a bit of a ring and a subtle layer on top...

- I get some bitter hops, tangy Belgian-like yeast.. wheat or a wit quality... and green olives. I usually get a green olive smell when something is wrong.... little spice, zest, earthy...

- Esters.. fig, prune, fruit... yogurt.. spice, and some green olive... a very interesting almost iced-cream-like approach to a beer... a cream flavor exists... zesty tangy hop.... very interesting. I am also getting peanuts... lots of essence of peanut... like peanut butter.

- Medium bodied, creamy.. dry, and chewy.

- Certainly an interesting brew. Just a touch off for me though... could do without the green olive smell.. but I would love to know what they put in this... certainly pushing the envelope with this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 06:28:51 | More by Docer

rand

California

2.25/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

22 oz bomber to pint glass

Pours a rich reddish-brown that, although isn't cloudy or murky, is dark enough to let little light through. It's seems to be amply carbonated, but the small head quickly dissipates leaving little lacing.

The nose is a little flat. Given the description on the bottle, I was expecting something unique and layered, but I could have mistaken this for Newcastle (sorry NC fans). You can pick up a bit of the orange, but given that the label mentions orange was added, you're smelling for it.

The flavors are a bit more pronounced than the scent, but they're perhaps less interesting. You're met with roasted malts and orange, but the flavors don't pop, at all, and they're combined with muddy, earthy tones that becomes cloyingly sweet as the sip progresses. This beer needs something else. Hops, perhaps? Perhaps not, it's simply unbalanced.

Given the wispy head, I wasn't expecting a lot of viscosity and I wasn't surprised. This is light on the tongue and not in a good way, especially for an 8% Belgian. I've noticed some 'chewy' references here - maybe I got a bad bottle? Possibly, but I'm not sure bad batches/bottles change the body much, and this is pretty damn thin for 8%

This beer clearly doesn't work and it's not something I would seek out again, but it doesn't fail - it's not the worst thing I've tried and I like what they were trying to do here. There's a template in there to work from. But if I was Caldera I would go back to the drawing board on this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2010 08:47:07 | More by rand

Arbitrator

California

2.25/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

Chilled bottle into a glass. A generous gift from ramnuts. Thanks, Frank!

Shared with alfrantzell and chswimmer.

A: Pours a clear maroon body with a light tan head. The bubbles fill the tulip but quickly collapse into nothing.

S: Not much aroma at all. Some nuts and orange, perhaps.

T: This beer initially tasted like sushi. Ted narrowed it down to the seaweed wrap used in rolls, but I am convinced I picked up the soy / cardboard signs of oxidation, as well. As it warmed, those flavors receded a bit, producing flavors of orange, nuts, coffee, and some kind of spice. Somewhat disjointed.

M: Oddly thin, with a watery flavor.

D: Not enjoyable...

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 20:33:11 | More by Arbitrator

ccrida

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bomber poured into a large goblet, Vas Deferens is dark garnet brown with a small eggshell head that leaves light, scattered lace.

Smell is sweet and very rich. The blood oranges really come out, as does some peppery spice.

Taste is okay, pretty similar. A Belgian inspired kitchen sink strong ale. Very phenolic, but as it warms the blood oranges come out stronger and temper those somewhat. Still, this beer is sharp and disjointed overall.

Mouthfeel is on the thicker, sugary style, sticky, not particularly digestable. Dry finish.

Drinkability isn't too hot, all the ingredients lack synergy and fatigued my palate in a hurry. There's a reason this is a one-off, it really should have only been a tasting room pilot batch.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2010 04:38:11 | More by ccrida

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

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

22oz bottle.

Pours mahogany with an amber hue and a half inch head of tan. A whisp of foam on the surface and a few dots of lacing thoughout the glass.

Aromatics lead off with raisins, chocolate-laced malt, cloves, bubblegum, and plums. Hints of citrus, smoke, espresso, and cocoa follow through.

Medium bodied with a slick, chewy mouthfeel. Extremely light carbonation for the style. Tacky and a bit syrupy.

Plump malt, caramel, brown sugar, and raisins start the palate. Dark rum with orange oils follows through along with hints of roast, peppercorns, and booze.

Finishes with rum-soaked raisins, sweet malt, and a citric undertone.

Tasty enough but there's an odd bitterness that lingers. The spicing adds a nice touch but the beer drinks more like a "Gran Cru".

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 00:15:33 | More by brewandbbq

GradyS1

California

3.18/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Was pretty excited to see some limited 22's from Caldera down this way. Interesting art work on the bottle.

A-ruby, brown almost a dark mahogany, small half finger head and translucent
S-Orange, cherry and chocolate-Terry Chocolate Orange upfront, a faint grassy smell in the end
T- light malts and belgian yeast. light orange and cherries with a slight bitterness on the end
M-watery, light carbonation, not much body to it

D-Overall, the taste was interesting but light, I wish it tasted as good as the smell was. There was not much body to this one for being a strong dark Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2010 14:15:24 | More by GradyS1

meatyard

Pennsylvania

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

The pour, into a Westmalle chalice, is a perfectly clear but dark, ruby/amber with a short off-white head that falls quickly to just a partial cover. There is light carbonation visible but no lacing.
The smell is faint cherries.
The taste is some cherry and some roasty malt that finishes with a hint of alcohol.
Mouthfeel is nearly up to medium with moderate carbonation and slightly sweet.
Drinkability: For me, it wasn't particularly anything I'd want to try again, especially at the price (about $10 in SE PA). There are many $10 22ozers that are superior, even in this style. This is not a bad beer, but more of an indifferent beer. When the beer name and graphics are more interesting than the beer, the beer is either great & the graphics are phenomenal or the graphics are great and the beer is, sort of, forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 22:20:49 | More by meatyard

Mora2000

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to bman1113vr for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a clear brown color with a tan head. The aroma is heavy on the toffee and not too much else. The flavor is toffee, leather, tobacco, wood and dark fruit. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A decent beer but nothing too exciting.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2010 05:08:51 | More by Mora2000

GRG1313

California

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

I believe that this is not going to be a rotating beer but that this is a limited one time brew. Just my belief subject to confirmation but this is part of the Caldera Kettle Series, a "Limited Small Batch Seasonal Release."

Pours a dark copper red with a yellow/white head.

Sharp smokey spice sweet cherry cola nose.

Mouthfeel is thin/medium thin with a light "elegant" carbonation. Light creamy character.

Flavors follow nose; all smokey, spice sweet cherry cola and lots of cocoa flavors. Very well balanced in that there is a hint of bitter sweet chocolate that goes to a bitter sweet chocolate finish.

Flavors do have definite undertones of the orange bitters and blood orange zest.

Nothing stands out but this beer if really welcoming and immensely drinkable; you just want to keep drinking more. A much more complex brew with loads of flavors profiles that sneak up on you. Very nice effort.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2010 04:06:24 | More by GRG1313

zoso1967

Michigan

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An interesting beer with an equally interesting name. Vas Deferens pours a lovely deep reddish tinged brown with a nice, slightly tan head that has nice retention. The aroma is sweet and a bit boozy with plenty of dark sugar and fruit notes, chocolate and a bit of spice. The taste is very similar. Fruity, caramel, chocolate and slightly spicy with a bit of herbal hops. It also has a slight sour note to it and some definite orange like character. It is an interesting beer, but really not that compelling. The mouthfeel is medium with a nice finish, and it is of average drinkability for style. It is an interesting beer, but really not that compelling. Still, a well made brew with a name that makes me giggle. That has to be worth something.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2010 02:01:27 | More by zoso1967

DeanMoriarty

California

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Somewhat disturbing but hilarious label - the devil ripping a vasa deferentia in two, thus completing a vasectomy, hence the name "Vas Deferens". The label states, "A belgiian-style ale with a unique twist incorporating a little snip of this and a little snip of that."

Poured this from a 220z bottle into a Brouwerij 't Ij tulip.

A: Deep copper, reddish hue (i'm assuming this is from the blood oranges) with a 1" head that dissipates slowly and leaves small amounts of lacing. Really nice looking.

S: Sweet cherry, citrus and chocolate with some spicy herbals in there as well.

T: The orange is there with a heavy chocolate flavor and creamy stout characteristics that are very prevalent (roasty and malty). Not as strong of a flavor as the look and ABV would suggest.

M: Medium bodied but on the lighter side for this style of beer. Mellow carbonation with a spicy bight.

D: Looks like it would be an intense beer, but it's actually smooth and easy to drink. Good dessert beer after a nice dinner.

My only gripe is the price - $10.49 a bottle! Come on guys, seems like you could drop the price on this a bit. I understand it's limited release, but there are far better beers in the $7. range (which would be a much more accurate price for your product).

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 06:29:19 | More by DeanMoriarty

Halcyondays

California

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

22 oz. bottle, an ale brewed with blood orange zest and orange bitters,

A: Pours a dark burnt orange to brown with a medium white head, some lace.

S: Definite orange peel, some dark candi sugar, but relatively light for a Belgian style.

T: The orange is definitely there. More of a straight up caramel malt flavour than most Belgians, only a hint of yeast esters with some kumquat marmalade. Not hugely complex, but a good flavour. The orange complements the malt base well.

M: Well-attenuated for this style for sure, off-dry, medium-bodied, smooth.

D: An interesting beer, I wanted the blood orange to come to the forefront a little more as it's a great flavour. I wanted the beer to come out and grab me a bit as a big Belgian. Good beer, not worth a $10 bomber price tag for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 22:57:31 | More by Halcyondays