Founders Cerise - Founders Brewing Company

Mitchster

Michigan

3.43/5  rDev -6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

$2.70 for a 12oz bottle @Jacks. 15 IBU's and 6.5% ABV per the label. No info on the website at this time. Pours out to a somewhat cloudy bright ruby red, forming a small pink head with poor retention and absent lacing. Mild carbonation. The aroma is akin to Sam Adams Cherry Wheat...very similar. Fruity, with cherries over the top of a light american wheat base. Mouthfeel is thin and flimsy with a light body. The difference ends there, however, as the flavor pops with the sour fruitiness and zest of red cherries that the Sam lacks. This is balanced by a light bitterness which balances out the mild sweetness of the brew. The aftertaste definitely has an ale character...I think this brew would actually fare quite a bit better if it were a lager. Very distant hops...I'm guessing Cascade.

This is a decent fruit beer, but it doesn't seem quite up to Founder's standard of taking it to the next polished level. It seems over-priced considering how light it is. I wouldn't bother buying it again, which is unusual as far as Founder's and I go.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 21:34:46 | More by Mitchster

peabody

Kentucky

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

Pours out a really clear effervescent cherry color with some near white suds. Two fingers with some slight lacing.
Smell is cherry cola, yeast and maltsugars.
Taste is a bittersweet cherry that starts out bitter, then hits sweet then back to bitter in the aftertaste. The sweet cherry flavor is sticky and it stays true through the entire drink.
You can't taste the alcohol and you can't really feel it either, it was well hidden in this fruit beer.
Mouthfeel is a bit dirty but it helps this drink from becoming cherry cola.
Drinkability is not the best here but if I were in the mood I might drink two or three at one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 02:27:43 | More by peabody

ommegangpbr

New York

4.18/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cherry soda with a kick!
Lovely red color upon pouring, it certainly makes for a conversation starter when amongst company.
This might put of some people that are expecting "a beer" when drinking this down but I don't have any problems with it. Authentic and tasty cherry flavor. Clearly, if one doesn't like cherry flavor then don't bother here.
Aside from cherry there's some nuttiness in the foundation of the flavor that serves to balance this out quite nicely, and helps to remind one that you're not drinking a cherry soda.
Very refreshing and a nice change of pace. Give this to someone who "doesn't like beer" and see what kind of reaction you get.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2009 01:22:38 | More by ommegangpbr

Shumista

Ohio

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

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass. I'm always excited to see new offerings from Founder's so I've been looking forward to trying this one.

A- Founder's Cerise has an interesting look to it. Pours a clear light red/pink with a large fluffy pinkish white head.
S- Lots of cherries.
T- Sweet, tart cherries. Subtle light malty background.
M- Crisp.
D- I'm not quite sure what to do with a beer like this. It's a little bit too sweet to be sessionable, and it's not exactly refreshing but seems like it would be good on a hot day potentially. Probably some interesting food pairings could be thought up.

my bottom line: It's like Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat, but good. A 4-pack my girlfriend and I can agree on.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2009 01:08:06 | More by Shumista

Gavage

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a pinkish / light red color with a 1/4" head that falls quickly to a spotty surface foam. No lacing develops.

Smell: loads of cherry comes through to the nose. Some softer wheat or grass qualities are far in the background.

Taste: cherry is most dominant flavor but it is muted and creates a balanced beer with a mild malt profile, soft bitterness, and grass. For a fruit beer this is well done.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp throughout. Aftertaste is soft and focuses on the cherry flavor.

Drinkability: for those that are not fans of fruit beers, this one will change your mind. The flavors are well balanced and you may actually want more than one in a session which rarely happens in this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2009 00:53:16 | More by Gavage

LauraAlberts

South Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Light red to pink in the glass. Beautiful rose color - with a bubbly appearance that made it gorgeous in a 16 oz glass

Smell: Cherry, rose petals, yeast.

Taste: The taste actually introduces itself and then opens up into a beautiful sparkling rose with hints of red fruit before opening up further to finish with the bittersweet taste of cherry from a cherry pie aspect. This beer isn't sweet, it fragrant - it's not fruity, it's complex - it has potential and opens up as you take another sip. Very enjoyable and not overly carbonated or a cheap knockoff to flavor like the other fruit/vegetable beers I've tasted.

Mouthfeel: Enlightened. This brew would be perfect with some vanilla ice cream or tart cobbler. Soft tannins. If you are a rose lover or even a sparkling wine lover - this beer will satisfy those flavor profiles while giving you the craft flavor satisfaction you're looking for.

Drinkability: I wouldn't session with this beer but instead would enjoy it on every/any occasion that doesn't necessarily call for beer. This is one over those brews you can use to convert people to the craft beer world - a brew that even the most loyal wine lovers can enjoy. Founders has hit the nail on the head with this one and I look forward to having this beer again with some great food to complement.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2009 02:03:58 | More by LauraAlberts

DrJay

Massachusetts

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

Fairly clear, bit of haze, with a definite red hue. Fine whitish bubbles formed a thin ring and a few remained on the surface of the beer, producing some short-lived spotty lacing between sips. Mild aroma, floral hops were up front with a subtle fruity character. Yeah, there some cherry there, but also a bit of earthy berry. Certainly balanced towards sweetness, bitterness was light and really only noticeable up front. Sour cherries and sugar/caramel became prominent mid-palate and sweetness increased into the finish. There was a hint of crackery malt and some tartness towards the end. Medium bodied with carbonation slightly less than average, a bit viscous. Not bad overall. The cherry flavour had a bit of a medicinal quality to it as the beer warmed, but the malt kept it closer to cherry pie territory.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2009 00:43:04 | More by DrJay

WakeandBake

Michigan

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

Bottle 12oz,bottled on date 04/01/09. A pretty light Mars red color body with a thin soapy head that fades rather quickly,leaving some spotty lacing,lots of soft carbonation. Aroma is of ripe cherries and a wheaty malt,and a very subtle funk type yeast note. Flavor is slightly sweet up front with a bit of carbonation wash and then a some nice wheat flavors, followed by the tart cherries,leaving a nice sweet cherry Jolly Rancher type flavor on your lips,cherry in the finish ,not super complex but has layers of flavors that fit togeather nicely.Fruit Beer is not my favorite style,especially if too tart, but this stuff is very good,very drinkable .

Thank You Founders

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 01:58:54 | More by WakeandBake

tburkhart

Ohio

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

PREFACE ---

Why do I buy cherry beers when I don't like cherries???? Oh yeah, because it's Founders and they make damn good beer. If it wasn't for the fact this beer came from Founders, I probably would have never purchased it. I tried to review the beer objectively. And now onto the review...

Appearance: Light red with excellent carbonation rising throughout the glass. The head sticks around quite nicely for a fruit/vegetable beer. Lacing is minimal.

Smell: CHERRIES!

Taste: CHERRIES!

Mouthfeel: Very smooth across the palate.

Drinkability: Would be very drinkable for someone who enjoys cherries. Since I don't care for cherries, one will be more than enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 00:23:32 | More by tburkhart

BierFan

Michigan

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass.

Small pinkish head on top of a slightly hazy red body. The small head doesn't last for long. The smell is like maraschino cherries. While I wasn't blown away by the appearance or smell, the taste of this beer is truly great. The four pack was definitely worth the $12.99.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2009 19:40:39 | More by BierFan

TurdFurgison

Ohio

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

I bought a 4-pack for $11.99 in Columbus, first time I've seen it. In retrospect this seems a bit too pricy for this beer, but I do like most things from Founders so it seemed like good odds. The beer is reddish-orange color, very clear, with a thin sticky white head. The beer smells a little like cherry pie, I get some cinnamon and cherries and maybe a little fresh bread out of this. I think the taste is OK for what it is, but fruit beers are usually not my thing. Sweet upfront and a little tart in the aftertaste. Medium body and easy drinking (so long as you like cherry pie). Not to be purchased again by me, unlike other Founders beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2009 21:36:16 | More by TurdFurgison

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clear red in color with no head at all on the pour. Plenty of carbonated bubbles around the edges, and racing up the side of the glass. Smell is all cherries. Very sweet and sugary cherries. Taste is more of the same. Very sweet, ripe cherries. I kind of like the lack of being highly carbonated. This could be quite possibly the easiest drinking beer I've ever come across. You could really put this away without even thinking about it. I would like a few other flavors to make it a bit more complex, but this is what it is. Decent spring/summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2009 18:23:55 | More by FtownThrowDown

jim102864

Connecticut

3.05/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Why do I listen to people? The guy at the Big Ten liquor store raved about this brew so I felt I had to try it at the source. This is yet another cherry ale, none of which is different from the other. Served on tap at Founders brewery in a nonic glass, this is a mild, boring brew with a reddish hue (pardon the rhyme). Non-craft fan women might like its simpleness and lack of complexity. Some cinnamon in the taste. It kind of grows on you like mold. Sadly, a round waster in an otherwise special visit to Grand Rapids. Probably true to the style, but who cares?

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2009 13:04:06 | More by jim102864

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at Capone's in a Weyerbacher Tulip. I wish I had this glass when I had my Riserva.

A- Cerise is a bright ruby red color. Nothing in terms of head or lacing off of the tap version. A few swirls would bring on some faint white bubbles on the surface which were short lived.

S- A nice mix of tart cherries with a nice malt base off setting any over bitterness. A decent smell but nothing overwelming.

T- Tastes like I expected with tart cherries at the forefront with a nice malt backing. Some bitterness comes through with warming. Some bready qualities as well, a good replacement for rubeaus for the time being.

M- A step above light bodied with a nice crispness to it throughout. Some bitterness on the tounge from the carb that was added. Some tartness with larger gulps. Has a similar but lighter feel than rubeaus.

D- Once I heard it was on tap I had to have it, and im glad I did. Very drinkable and refreshing and a great beer for the upcoming warm weather. Low alcohol and a slighty tart taste and feel makes this one a winner in my senses. I need to find a bottle to compare.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2009 03:27:02 | More by onix1agr

philbe311

Pennsylvania

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

A - Muted strawberry red color... Translucent with an orange hue... Thin pillow-like crisp white head... Thin veil of delicate lacing, slightly thicker around the edges of the glass...

S - Cherries, prominent but not overwhelming... Shortbread...

T - Cherry... Mostly sweet, but remotely tart... Minor biscuit... Slightly salty...

M - Syrupy... Light to medium bodied... Slight carbonation pringles the tongue... A tad on the dry side... A very mild tart finish...

D - Light and refreshing... An interesting summer brew, but not overly memorable... I would drink again in the future, but probably not something I would seek out myself...

Note - Previously Founders Cherry Pale Ale, this has been slightly reformulated and bottled as Founders summer offering...

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2009 01:02:03 | More by philbe311