CynicAle - Surly Brewing Company

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 16oz can into a snifter
Thanks goes to my brother for bringing this one down from Minnesota for me.

A: Pours a lightly hazy golden-straw color with a foamy white head with a few larger bubbles that quickly dissipates to a thin, oily cap.

S: Some grassy funk and hay is met by some toffee notes which lend an overall sweetness to the aroma. A little bit of yeasty dough as well. It may have been a little cold at first; as it warms a nice banana phenol joins the aroma.

T: The bready yeast and banana flavors play a prominent role here, however the banana is more subdued than in many of the classic Belgian beers. The midpalate is mostly caramel with just a hint of alcohol flavor to temper the sweetness. Some hay funk frames a moderately dry finish.

M: Fairly thin but almost a little creamy. Carbonation is at a medium-low but pleasantly foamy, which lends the beers to easy drinking.

O: A great farmhouse style beer. I wouldn't quite call it mild, but the flavors are all well-balanced which leads to a great, easy drinking beer.

Serving type: can

04-11-2013 02:56:05 | More by WankelEngine

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.44/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16 oz. can poured into an Allagash chalice.

Appearance - Clear golden body with a nice fluffy white head. Never quite settles. Sticky lacing all down the glass.

Smell - Phenolic esters that remind me of a tripel in some respects. Mustiness to the nose brings it back to the farmhouse genre. Fruity, between apples and apricots.

Taste - More malt forward. Sweet caramel malt. Grainy biscuit malt. Slick with that fruit flavor lingering on the back end. Less complex than the nose by quite a bit, but a clean tasting saison.

Mouthfeel - Strange dichotomy to it. Initially slick and sweet, but quickly drops off. Never quite achieves a dryness, but the body deteriorates quickly.

Overall - Only touches on the components that would make a it a really good saison, but there aren't any flaws or off-flavors. Surly always makes a good product.

Serving type: can

03-08-2013 02:50:35 | More by Alieniloquium

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

16oz can courtesy of kevin's order. Thanks!

A: Brilliant gold color, mostly clear, with a 1/4" hhead. Bubbles rise through the body like there's a geyser at the bottom.

N: Yeast, banana, clove. A little peach in here. Flaky oats. Black pepper and salt. Clean nose, if overwhelmed by the esters.

T: Very peppery. Floral hops, apricote notes, lots of yeasty esters again. Has a distinct oatmeal quality. Some green apple tartness. Can be a little too sharp, as there are too many hops to maintain balance.

M: Has a loose, light mouthfeel. Feels like there's a low amount of carbonation, somewhat surprisingly.

O: Decent, but not something I'd seek out too often. The mash-up of styles doesn't work well for me.

Serving type: can

03-04-2013 00:00:26 | More by writerLJBerg

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: France 44
Date: Canned on 12/06/2012
Glass: Tulip

Pours a tall, 3cm head of marginally off-white bubbles that begin as small, then move to medium-sized as the head coalesces and begins to collapse. The result would be a time-lapse shot of bubbles congealing, growing in size, then becoming too large and infiltrated by air and popping, leaving a cavernous void where the head used to be. Thus, retention is above average and declines with cataclysmic intensity, though it reduces to a fairly standard ring around the perimeter of the glass. Lacing is present, though not particularly substantial, a few spots and washes of lines scattered across the glass. The body is a copper orange color, somewhat hazy, with light bringing out red and orange hues. Carbonation is visible, streaming from the center and sides of the glass.

Aroma is simultaneously grainy, Belgian saison-yeasty, slight funk, and peaches. In general, this is appetizing and intriguing, spurring the act of drinking.

The primary flavors are grain-like with white pepper, Belgian saison yeast, and mild apricot and peach. Front of palate picks up grainy, slightly cracker-like malts with hints of peach ester sweetness and slight hop bitterness. Mid-palate finds an explosion of peach complexity melded to white pepper, Belgian saison yeast with mild funk, subdued graininess, and relaxed bitterness. Back of palate experiences increased Belgian saison yeast presence with subdued peach, grain, and white pepper. Aftertaste of peach and grain flavors, remaining appetizing and never cloying.

The beer is medium-light to medium in body, with carbonation of medium intensity, resulting in a beer that foams up nicely as it moves across the palate, traveling fairly smoothly and without harsh fizz. Closes out semi-dry and with little stickiness lingering across the palate.

Serving type: can

02-16-2013 06:56:51 | More by falloutsnow

TThurling

4.15/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass 1.1.13.

A: Pours a clear, amber/gold with a pillowy, 2 finger head that fades moderately fast, leaving only a slight lacing behind.

S: Very sweet, with notes of honey, apricots, peaches, and white pepper but, interestingly, not much of the barnyard "funk" I've come to expect with this style. It smells a little boozy, but not to the point of burning.

T: Surprisingly balanced, given the sweet, boozy smell. The sweetness, while certainly present, is hardly cloying, and actually backs off in the aftertaste. At 33 IBU's, the bitterness matches up nicely with the shortbread-like maltiness. Noticeably absent, as in the smell, is any hint of a tart, barnyard funk, but I hardly miss it with how well the other elements come together. Thankfully, thesomewhat boozy smell hasn't carried over to the taste, and the 6.5% ABV is well masked, to say the least.

M: This is perhaps the most impressive aspect of this beer. Given the lack of a tart "funk", I was concerned that the mouthfeel would leave something to be desired. Not the case. At first sip, the effervesence is inescapeable, but the initial tingling soon gives way to a chewy, full feeling that is just short of being syrupy. The aftertaste is pleasant, and peppery-sweet (if that's even possible).

O: I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. Surly has done an excellent job of re-imagining the saison style, and has delivered something that is far from cliche'. Really solid brew.

Serving type: can

01-03-2013 00:22:21 | More by TThurling

Dope

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours an almost perfectly clear gold. Huge effervescent and fluffy white head. Fades at a moderate pace, leaving smudges of light lacing here and there.

S: Crisp light citrus - lemons mainly. Mixes in with some nice strong banana. Bready malt with some fresh black pepper.

T: Citrus, banana and black pepper up front. Bready malt and spicy, earthy yeast kicks in in the middle with stronger black pepper. Spicy and peppery into the finish. Earthiness and black pepper lingers between sips.

M: Medium bodied, smooth. Slightly drying in the aftertaste.

O: A nice saison from Surly. Pretty standard, well balanced and drinkable. Not a huge in-your-face beer but it comes together nicely and goes down easily. Great example of the style.

Serving type: can

12-29-2012 03:55:15 | More by Dope

Philly82785

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly hazy yellowish gold color. The nose is strong with yeast, a slight bubble gum, and slight citrus fruits. Comes across the palate as balanced hops and malt with slight floral notes. It has subtle finish that gradually dissipates. Very good beer.

Serving type: can

12-24-2012 05:57:32 | More by Philly82785

DovaliHops

California

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden color with a small-medium white head that disappears quickly. Scent is wow... not what I was expecting. Now that I read about this beer...a saison??? In a can??? If anyone can do it, it's Surly I suppose. Smells somewhat similar to a saison, but with a strang malt liquor aroma. There is the black pepper, spiciness, and Belgian yeast aromas of a good saison... not much funk though. However, this strange malt liquor aroma is somewhat off-putting. Taste is a little better. Luckily, it does not taste like malt liquor. It does taste like a saison. A great saison??? No. The pepper and spiciness is there. The light fruitiness and Belgian yeast flavors are there. A ton of floral flavors. It lacks the funk and has some strange flavors that I've never got from any saison/farmhouse ale before. As it warms...I'm starting to get that malt liquor profile in my mind again. Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied, with a spicy, tingly finish. Drinkability is high. Overall, I didn't see "saison" anywhere on the can. So, there is a possibility Surly wasn't even trying to create a saison. Regardless, this is a very tasty beer. An AMAZING fizzy yellow beer (hence the title)... a mediocre saison.

Serving type: can

12-15-2012 10:33:01 | More by DovaliHops

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can poured into a tulip

A light amber body with a bit of a golden tint sits beneath an ecru cap that rose a good two+ fingers. Good retention with tons of clingy lace. The nose is floral and spicy. White pepper and clove with a little Belgian yeast tang/funk. Earthy undertones. On the palate, this guy slides right in. Floral spicy notes up front. Some mild fruity esters (pear and apple) from the yeast with pine and earth underneath. Some cracked grains through the middle leading to a dry finish of spice and floral/earthy hops. Light to medium body, good feel. This is a fairly straightforward saison. The flavors all work well together, good body, the carbonation is a little too high, but never really gets in the way. Solid across the board. Will gladly have this guy in my glass again.

Serving type: can

12-01-2012 23:05:26 | More by ColForbinBC

cfrances33

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Can thanks to yamar68, poured into a tulip.

Pour: Clear straw yellow with a nice two finger plus of white fluffy head. Head really sticks around, and leaves lots of lacing.

Smell: Spicy belgian yeast, some bready malts, and a light grassy hop presence. Just okay here.

Taste: Really nice breadyness, followed by a clean grass and pepper spiciness. Some light sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly drinkable, and nice and dry. This beer is a great thirst quencher. The best aspect of this beer for sure.

Overall: A highly underrated saison.

Serving type: can

10-30-2012 22:43:37 | More by cfrances33

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a lightly hazy medium golden yellow in color with moderate amounts of gentle carbonation near the surface of the beer. The beer has a finger tall white head that slowly redues to a medium sized patch of thick film, a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of light fruit (apricot and peaches) along with yeast spices (pepper).

T: There are light amounts of light fruit flavors upfront (apricots, peaches, and pear) with some more moderate flavors of yeast spice (pepper) and some clove.

M: Light to medium bodied with slightly heavier than moderate amounts of carbonation. Very light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This might be the easiest drinking saison that I have tried and it comes with the bonus of being in a can. There is very light dryness (especially compared to others in the style) and good flavors. Quite enjoyable and just shy of sessionable - a little too strong in ABV to be truly sessionable but I could have a couple of these.

Serving type: can

10-15-2012 22:18:40 | More by dbrauneis

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Ommegang flute from a 16oz can.

Pours a nice rich bright golden color with some slight orange hints. There is a nice 0.5 inch head that is white and dense and is retained for a good bit. It recedes down to a nice thin film.

Starts of with yeasty spice notes with some nice earthy grain notes. There is some slight sweet notes as well.

Taste follows the nose pretty well. Starts off with some fruity sweetness with some good spice notes. Notes of yeasty phenols and slight clove notes. Pretty straight forward saison. Nice crisp mouthfeel.

Good saison.

Serving type: can

10-14-2012 01:32:28 | More by JoEBoBpr

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Translucent straw color. Thin off-white head.

Aroma: Not much in the nose. A little peppery malt and yeast.

Taste: Grainy with cloves and other similar spices. Missing that Surly essence (i.e. hops) or at least the Slovenian hops aren't cutting it. The description on the can says the ingredients create "honey & black pepper flavors." I guess I'd agree with that, although it's not super appetizing. It is, however, very clean tasting with a dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with good effervescence and decently smooth. The taste of cloves and dry finish get a little cloying.

Final Thoughts: This one is geared more towards the BMC crowd (although maybe not intentionally). I wonder why this is brewed year-round. Would I drink it again? No. Hell, Bitter Brewer, and SurlyFest are much better options (close to this style) if you're in the mood to get Surly.

Serving type: can

10-14-2012 01:17:53 | More by JamesMN

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This poured out as a slightly hazy golden color. It had a nice looking white head on top with a good retention and a touch of lacing on the glass. The smell of the beer has some subtle fruit and spice notes to it, there is an aroma of fresh grain as well with a mellow sweetness. The taste of the beer is light, refreshing and doesn't really show it's true colors till the aftertaste. The settling flavors of the earthy hops and the black pepper notes shine bright. The mouthfeel is crisp, smooth and clean feeling, leaving behind some stickiness in the mouth afterward. Overall I didn't know it was supposed to be a Saison but I could definitely make that assumption from the first sip to the last.

Serving type: can

10-11-2012 22:40:57 | More by Knapp85

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a slightly hazy copper colour, finger of head with some retention and no real lacing.

S - Musty grassy hop notes, light citrus and a hint of fruity cloves.

T - Nice fruity cloves, hints of peach and orange citrus, a bready malt with buttery notes alongside a citrus rind and peppery spice.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and a touch of dryness.

O - Yet again Surly delivers the attributes of the style offering a solid dose of flavour and a unique fruity twist. Flavourful and drinkable. This is a brew that I could drink all night, and I'm certain many would agree. Do yourself a favour and grab a can.

Serving type: can

10-08-2012 01:48:42 | More by andrenaline

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - mostly clear golden orange, solid head that retained at a thick half finger and left lots of whispy lacing
S - grainy, fruity, leafy, with a hint of mineral/metallic
T - must like the nose, the fruity flavours are pear and light apple, leafy hops, cracked grains and a mineral finish
M - light to medium with big carbonation, finishes pleasantly dry
O - a fantastic example of the style with its own surly character, this would be a go to sessioner were it available in my hood

Serving type: can

10-06-2012 02:30:13 | More by joemcgrath27

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Though it might be yet another yellow beer in a can, this one sports a golden yellow color from the can. Not much head here but lots o' carb's.

Smells of wheat malts barley and yeast come through. Spicy and hints of clove.

Refreshing with a dry finish. Lightly sweetened malts yet spicy and peppery with hints of Beligum yeast.
Hops come through but lightly.
Feels smooth with a med. weight. The carbonation gives a prickly feel as it goes down.
Grainy and a bit metalic in the finish too.
I'm not really big on farmhouse styles, I could take them or leave them but this was most enjoyable.

Serving type: can

09-22-2012 14:23:36 | More by micromaniac129

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving type: 16-ounce can. The “CANNED ON” date printed on the bottom of the can is “07/16/12.”

Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is a lovely, medium gold with an amber tint. Two fingers of eggshell-colored head dissipated to leave a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.

Smell: Floral, yet spicy and hefe-like. Lots o’ cloves. It has a nice bouquet of floral hops, which is rounded with Belgian yeast, a little funk, and both pepper and clove spice.

Taste: Smooth, creamy, and well-balanced. The floral hops shine and offer adequate bitterness. Much like the smell, there is also a little funk that is spiced with black pepper and cloves. The can mentions honey, apricot, and peach notes, but I do not really get them. It does, though, have a fruitiness to it.

Drinkability: It does not blow me away but it is a very well-crafted brew. Enticing nose, great flavor, and excellent mouthfeel.

Serving type: can

08-25-2012 04:40:41 | More by TheQuietMan22

sonata2008

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm always thrilled when Cynic is available as cask conditioned. It is so smooth.

Appearance: Cloudy yellow with about 3/4 inch of creamy white foam. Lots of lacing.

Smell: Strong hops with spicy floral notes and some pine.

Taste: The cask version makes it taste less Belgian. The cask had a hoppy taste with floral hops dominant. The a bit of astringent-ness probably from the hops, but overall, there is very little bitterness. It is extremely smooth.

Mouthfeel: Almost a creamy mouthfeel. No sweetness. A dry finish.

Drinkability: Very drinkable. Goes well with poutine. Would go well with other foods with subtle flavors.

Serving type: cask

08-24-2012 00:56:59 | More by sonata2008

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear rich golden honey color with a nice big off white head that settles into a decent lacing.

Light spices like cloves with lemon pepper and some yeast aroma.

Light dark spices with cloves and peppers mixed in a lightly sweet grain malt taste.

A medium bodied beer that has a dryish aftertaste with just a hint of the spices remaining.

A decent enough beer but not really up my alley, would be cool to have this with just a touch of the traditional American hops taste added to it.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 03:01:39 | More by LXIXME

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours cloudy dark gold with a couple finger white head retaining one finger with spotty lacing down the glass.

Aroma is Belgian yeast mostly. Some notes of lemon with a little pepper and floral notes too.

Similar flavors. Lemony up front along with some wheat malt. Clove and pepper kicks in near the end. Not unpleasant, but not flavors I enjoy much. I prefer more lemon than spice in my saisons.

Light bodied with medium carbonation.

Eh not bad for what it is, but Surly has so many better offerings, I probably won't seek this one out again.

Serving type: can

07-31-2012 22:00:12 | More by jmarsh123

jegross2

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Reviewing the CynicAle from Surly Brewing Company. This traditional farmhouse saison is the last of Surly's year-round beers that I have yet to try.
Score: 79

Canned 06/13/12, served in am Avery nonic pint glass and enjoyed on 07/22/12 after watching the incredible ending to the Batman trilogy in IMAX.

Appearance: Pours a clean and transparent golden color with a slight reddish hue and two-plus fingers of off-white soapy head that settles to a thin layer. Poor lacing, average retention. 3/5

Smell: Bitter grain, wheat, a little corn, cloves, mellow piney hops and a little lemon. Mile Hefe-like yeastiness too. 3.5/5

Taste: Stale hops, wheat, lemon peel and yeast. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Water-like mouthfeel with medium-light carbonation. Somewhat dry and bitter finish. 3.5/5

Overall: A refreshing and light beer that reminds me more of "a better Spotted Cow" than Hennepin. Bold in flavor for the mouthfeel and definitely drinkable/refreshing in the heat, but this one is barely above average at best.

Recommendation: Surly is one of my favorite breweries, but this is not one of their beers that you need to seek out. I feel that this would make a solid starter craft brew for casual beer drinkers.

Pairings: Brats.

Cost: $8.99 for a four pack.

Serving type: can

07-28-2012 05:54:11 | More by jegross2

stakem

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pounder can into a standard pint glass The brew pours a clear golden with 2 fingers worth of white froth. Thick patchy lace sticks to the glass.

The aroma is spicy and fruity with a scent of pear and apple skins initially. More smells reveal clove and some peppery spice. As it grows warmer, it picks up more dried fruity qualities.

The flavor opens woth a strong taste of clove and spice like pepper with an increasing amount of dried fuits. Hints of dehydrated apricot, apple skins and pear. There is a mild fruity alcohol ester that creeps up the back.

This is a light to medium bodied saison. It is crisp and easy drinking with a pleasant uplifting level of carbonation that is spritzy throughout the entire duration. Fans of saisons need to give this one a try.

Serving type: can

07-25-2012 15:01:14 | More by stakem

vandemonian

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Surly cynic is a tasty saison which is dominated by malt, spices and lemon. Quite nice.

A: Orange colour and a crappy head. 3.5

S: Spicy aroma. Cloves. 4

T: Malty with strong spices. Subtle lemon flavour. Quite nice. 4

M: Good carbonation. 4

O: 4

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 03:03:47 | More by vandemonian

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.78/5  rDev -31%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Hm, bit of a disappointment to me. Poured at a good temperature with a smallish, off-white, foamy head that quickly subsided to a large island and ring with almost no lace. Color is a clear amber with one bubble trail. Aroma is yeast, malt, grass, caramel. Flavor's similar to nose, a little too sweet for style, and sweet up front, some carbonic tang, and yeast/hop bitter. Body and carbonation are ok. Finish is like flavor, kind of long and again, too sweet; couldn't finish it. Not for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 02:45:25 | More by drpimento