Gilgamesh - Upland Brewing Company

eclipse54

Idaho

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A corked/caged 750 mL bottle from fvernon; many thanks for this one! A batch code of "9-11" is embossed in gold on the back of the label. Split into tulip glasses at cellar temperature.

Pours a rocky brown color that glows with blood orange hues where the light pushes through. An inch of foamy, khaki head rests atop the liquid. It diminishes to a frothy ring over the course of a few minutes, leaving scattered spots of lacing.

The aroma is of tart cherry and date, with some acidic tangerine thrown in as well. A bit of funky yeast, light grains, and biscuity scents float up in the middle. Notes of dry oak and and candied apple make an appearance as well.

The nose leaves no doubt that this one will be sour, and the taste follows through. Dry, acidic cherry, date, and tangerine scour the palate around flavors of oak, faint vanilla, raisin, and tart grapes. The flavor places more emphasis on the wood than the nose, and brings out a bit more of the yeasty funk. Various light grains and faint grassy notes round it out.

The mouth is seemingly thinned by the acids, but ample citrus and carbonation keep it lively and almost champagne-like. Finish is vehemently dry and puckering.

Overall, this is a great Flanders-style ale and tremendous sour. The fact that the bourbon barrels used to treat this beer were previously used for another brew shows, as I had a hard time finding any bourbon notes. The faint vanilla and overall "woodiness" seem to be the dominant contributions from the barrel treatment. Ultimately, I would love to have this again, and would say it’s worth the effort to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 02:17:46 | More by eclipse54

Gobzilla

California

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: poured a dark burgundy with brownish highlights and really no head which left virtually no lacing sticking to the glass.

S: lots of fruit aroma was coming out on the nose such as plum, apples, slight citrus but with a little bourbon vanilla character and acidic vinegar notes as well.

T: the bourbon barrel character was not as pronounced on the palate but had lots of fruit flavors like nose consisting of dark fruit, slight apple, a touch of citrus, acidic vinegar notes and vanilla accents.

M: the brew was medium in body with a low amount of carbonation which had a sweet, fruity, mild boozey and tart finish.

O: really good flanders brew and was glad to have been able to try a bourbon barreled flanders.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 13:16:26 | More by Gobzilla

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml corked and caged poured into tulip with Mattsander and alpineclimber, bottle sent out by Masterski and Sean9689 cheers fellows

A glows a ruby red when held to the light, some sediment and just a few slow bubbles feeding a short lived tan finger of foam that leaves lace where it existed

S vanilla hits me first, a little booze, faint cigar smoke and toffee, the barrels strong and it works very well, some overripe fruits as it warms, complex and very enjoyable nose

T much like the smell but it has a strange spice I can’t quite place but I like it, the bourbon notes are nice with a touch of sweetness and a little sour at the same time. Lots going on with everything I smell but there’s a little less vanilla in the mouth

M slightly sour with the burnt brown sugar lingering on the finish, medium-full with very faint heat, it could use a few more bubbles but its far from flat

O very interesting stuff that I could drink myself stupid with, the barrel works well for it and it has mellowed out nicely at this point

I can’t think of anything to compare this one to but I’m loving it, very interesting brew that’s worth seeking out

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 02:03:11 | More by wordemupg

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a murky dark red with some copper hues and a big 2 finger creamy off-white head.

Aroma is sour just like a flanders should be. Notes of vinegar and cherries along with a little oak. Not much bourbon in the nose.

Starts out with a vinegar sourness and some tart cherry flavor. A little bit of sweet bourbon comes on pretty quickly and is present throughout, but rather subdued. More sour fruit notes combine equally with the bourbon finishing sweet & sour. The bourbon adds a nice complexity to balance the sour.

Fairly creamy mouthfeel and medium-high carbonation levels.

I love flanders reds and the bourbon adds a unique twist to this classic. I was afraid the bourbon would be overpowering, but it really is delicate and subtle making it work.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 00:28:09 | More by jmarsh123

ehammond1

California

4.65/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle (2012)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, barkingelectron!

Dark crimson and ruby with a moderately sized light khaki colored head with great retention (for the style and the relatively high ABV), that leaves streaks of messy, dotted stick down the glass. Very pretty.

Incredible and complex aroma; this remains true to style while also remaining unique and interesting--quite the accomplishment. The oak character, sour fruit (cherry?), and more big sour, acidic notes combine together strongly, with also just a bit of an earthy vanilla character.

The flavor follows a similar road as the aroma, with sour cherry and oak playing the dominant roles, along with strong acidic sour character and an earthy vanilla. The lingering oak/vanilla/cherry/mild bourbon finish is what separates this beer from others in its style. Balanced but explosive. Drinkable but extreme.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Wonderful. Incredibly drinkable. Alcohol presence is non-existent.

Perhaps my favorite American-brewed Flanders Red. This stuff was out of sight!

I've opened three bottles of this (one roughly 6 months ago, another 3 months ago, and another last night). Each bottle has gotten progressively better (and more sour). This one still might not even be at its peak yet. Exciting stuff!

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 21:56:21 | More by ehammond1

mrand01

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

A: A hazy brownish red that pours with about 1/4" of off-white head that quickly dissipates. Spotty lacing with decent head retention.

S: Cherries, vanilla, oak, with just a hint of alcohol.

T: Initial taste is sour cherry, quickly followed by some fruity sweetness and some vanilla/oak tones from the bourbon barrel. The booze is pretty subdued, just a hint of bourbon.

M: Medium to heavy body with light carbonation.

O: An excellent example of the style. Blows away Marron Acidifie for sure and I'd venture to say I like it better than Oerbier Riserva!

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 00:14:25 | More by mrand01

machostacos

Indiana

4.78/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased 4 of these bad boys from the Upland Tasting Room in Indianapolis. Served at cellar temp in my favorite tulip glass.

A: Pours a beautiful crystal-clear ruby color with a quarter-inch cream-colored, frothy head that doesn't stick around very long. Thick, sticky lacing. Lots of microbubbles streaking around. I spotted some cork particles floating around, but that's not really a concern of mine. This looks fantastic. (Took a peek at the bottom of the bottle after it was empty - sweet bottle-conditioned goodness!!! Incredible clarity.)

S: The aroma is pretty much exactly what a Flanders Red should smell like - tons of tart cherries and fresh black cherries (as in straight-off-the-tree-in-Traverse-City, MI-sort-of-fresh-black-cherries), a healthy twang of vinegar acidity, luscious oaky wood and vanilla notes, a tiny bit of booze, and a touch of band-aid on the end. A veritable fog of aromas. The bourbon is basically hidden - I feel like I'm almost imagining it, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt and say that the bourbon character is there, but just barely peeking through.

T: This is an onslaught of incredible flavors. The sweetness of the fruity cherry flavors bathed in rich oak and vanilla hit your tongue first, but are immediately overwhelmed by a biting flash of sourness and acidity. The sweet oak and vanilla-coated cherry returns in perfect balance with the sourness and mingles with a subtle dryness from the bourbon which cleanses the palate for an incredible, long and wonderfully drawn-out finish. The aftertaste of this beer is truly one of its greatest characteristics. It's where the bourbon truly shines. Just amazing. This is absurdly drinkable for being 10.5% ABV.

M: Quite full-bodied and almost silky. This is an incredibly dangerous beer! Easily the most drinkable sour I've ever had. It keeps getting better as it warms. It's literally lip-licking good! Everything in this beer is in perfect balance. Just...wow.

O: Upland simply outdid themselves with Gilgamesh. I was a bit skeptical at first to be honest - a truly legitimate Flanders-style Red Ale from Indiana? Really? Well, let me quell your fears: Upland ROCKED this Flanders-style Red. In fact, it just ousted the Duchesse as my favorite of the style. A word to the wise - let this beer warm up to almost room temperatures before enjoying - I know it's going to be difficult, but you will be rewarded with the way it opens up and everything melds together in perfect harmony. Easily the best beer I've ever had from Upland. BRAVO!!! SO happy I bought 4 of these!

This beer is perfect by itself, but it would compliment a cherry sauce braised pork chop like nobody's business. My next bottle is on the menu! Can't wait. Again, Upland - incredibly impressive. You nailed this beer, and you nailed the style. Legit Flanders Reds in Indiana! Who'dathunkit?!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 05:08:04 | More by machostacos

brentk56

North Carolina

4.89/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Pours a cloudy auburn color with a very impressive head that leaves a pattern of lace remindful of the Matisse cutouts

Smell: Oaked tart cherries with layers of caramel

Taste: The caramel layer arrives first and buttresses the tart fruit flavors; an explosion of tart cherry, green apple and honeydew in the middle; after the swallow, the oak barrel adds subtle complexity with a hint of Bourbon and vanilla

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy, with moderate carbonation

Overall: Pretty darn close to perfection; right up there with the best beers I have ever tasted

Thanks, duels, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 01:13:57 | More by brentk56