Five - Surly Brewing Company

vandemonian

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Surly Five is an ok wild ale. Dark and harsh. A little too much vinegar for my tastes. Not so great.

A. Black colour and a crappy head. 4

S: Sour with a little maltiness. 4

T: Malty with a sour kick. Vinegary. Pretty nice though. 3.5

M: A little flat. 3

O: 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 02:55:47 | More by vandemonian

emerge077

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Draft served in a small footed goblet.

Second time trying this, first time with a full pour. The color appears black at first, with a brown hint in the lower meniscus of the glass. Towards the last third of the glass, it's a reddish transparent copper color. Thin ring of froth around the edges, it didn't have much head to speak of.

Tart and vinous aroma, wet barrel and cherry skins.

Flavors are similar, black cherry, some tannic cherry skin bitterness, lightly oaky and toasty. Feels a bit thin, though there's an ample level of tartness to it, lending some acidity that carries it through. Finishes somewhat dry and clean. The flavor profile seems Flanders-inspired, which always hits a sweet spot for me. It was good and i'd have one again if the rare opportunity arose.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2012 21:33:35 | More by emerge077

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This brew arrived in stemmed glassware, very dark in color, with nice cap of creamy foam. The aroma is sour, like cherries and citrus with some hints of darkly roasted malt. The dark malt comes alive on the palate with hints of cocoa as the beer melts around the tongue. The sourness drives the flavor while the dark malt and chocolate notes strangely and positively accent it. As the beer moves back the flavor weakens the slightest amount. An interesting brew, worthy of a fifth year celebration.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2012 23:26:23 | More by BeardedBoffin

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Draft at Churchkey DC

Appearance: mahogany brown pour with a small head, touch of lacing

Smell: Sourness that is very odd, a bit earthy with cherries, cranberries, raisins and chocolate.

Taste: Odd-ball, doesn't seem like it should be sour but it is. Vanilla, wine, oak, cherries, prunes, raisins, plums.

Mouthfeel: medium body and carbonation

Overall: I love sour beers, but this tastes like a beer that shouldn't be sour.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 02:40:54 | More by craytonic

russwbeck

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at a Surly event at Churchkey in DC

A: Amber red pour, not unlike soda, with a finger of white head. The retention is great, lasting well into enjoying the beer, but the lacing is just OK.

S: This was ordered directly after Darkness 2011...and I was surprised to smell a ton of smoke and roast coming out of Surly Five. Perhaps my nose was looking for it, but it really dominates here. I'm not really getting anything sour, but perhaps some wine notes are making their way up. Definitely some funk, but it's all taking a back seat to the roast. It's pretty strange.

T: The taste really follows the aroma, but finally I get some characteristics of an American Wild. Only a slight roast kicks the beer off and is taken over by some notes from the barrel aging (still not exactly sour, or vinegary), and some barnyard funk-like tastes at the end.

MF: Light body with lower than average carbonation. It hints towards being too light for my palate, but that could be a product of the kinds of beer I had before and after this one, sadly. Clean finish and pretty drinkable.

O: Not at all what I had expected. Still trying to figure out what I just drank. I wasn't a huge fan, but I didn't hate it. Just not in any way what I expected coming into it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 23:26:53 | More by russwbeck

timtim

District of Columbia

4.48/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours a dark reddish-brown with a tan head that fades pretty quickly and doesn't leave lace. fine for what it is. nose is dark fruit, sour cherry, cola, toasty/roasty malt, wine, vinegar and a touch of oak and funk. seems pretty spot on flanders red to me. taste is very good balance of the above. sour hits first, followed by fruit and cola which is rounded out by a proper wood, malt and funk character. mouthfeel is medium full. very soft and silky. extra points for alcohol being virtually undetectable. wow! 8+% really! totally out of the mold for what i expect from surly. delicious, fun experiment that i would love to sit down with again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 12:40:07 | More by timtim

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served at Stub and Herb's.
I was surprised how light the body was on this, especially for the size of the beer. Dark color with minimal head. Fruit flavors and aroma quite notable. On the milder side of tart, although definitely sour. Held wine like qualities in taste (and kinda' for body too, except the bubbles). Mild carbonation helped some with smoothness. Not too acidic, but more than one could have been a bit of trouble.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 22:33:53 | More by garymuchow

kojevergas

California

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-draught at Cafe 23 in Minnesota. Reviewed from notes. Expectations were high.

A: Pours a one finger head of great cream, good thickness, and pretty good retention. Colour is a solid black.

Sm: Red wine, bacteria, yeast, and pleasant souring hops and funkiness. A moderate strength aroma, but very pleasant.

T: Wonderful sourness, funkiness, and yeast alongside red wine notes. Very complex and subtle. Extremely well balanced and quite nicely built.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Very complementary of the flavours and style. Not too thick or too thin. Just right.

Dr: Very drinkable for a sour beer. I'd definitely love to have it again. A bit pricey, but excellent. The red wine and sourness coalesce beautifully. A real gem of a beer that would be wonderful with age. It might be disrespectful to pair it with food.

I was sad to hear that Cafe 23 will be closing soon.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 20:42:52 | More by kojevergas

Beerdregs

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: pours with an ample white head. The color is orange-amber much like a pale ale.

S: Oak, sourness kind of like a balsalmic vinegar.

T: Sourness but with some oakiness from the wine barrels. Very difficult to pick up much malt from this.

M: moderate amount of carbonation with a very dry finish that makes you want to pucker.

O: This is an excellent beer. Another great addition to their anniversary line up. I have to admit I do enjoy La Folie better however. Thanks to Heritage liquors for Beer Geek X-mas!

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2011 02:47:58 | More by Beerdregs

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Stanley's Barroom in Nordeast Minneapolis. This beer arrives a clear ruby color. The head is one inch of firm white foam that recedes slowly leaving good lacing. The aroma is of tart cherries, and faint caramel. The aroma is quite weak for a sour beer. The taste, however, is abundant and full of complexities. It has a sharp tart cherry quality, some broken in leather, faint hints of wood, a touch of sweetness, and a well integrated sourness. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with a velvety texture, a dry finish, and effervescent carbonation. Overall, this is a very well crafted beer. It may not be the most sour beer out there, but it isn't trying too be. It is more of an easy drinking workingman's sour that would pair well with a large variety of foods. I would drink this beer again without hesitation, and look forward to Surly further exploring the realm of sour beers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2011 03:36:48 | More by KarlHungus

syrupjoe

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap into oversized wine glass at Black Sheep in downtown St. Paul.

Pours a dark amber root beer color - almost completely opaque except for hints of color around the edges. 1F light mocha head with tiny bubbles. No lacing.

Nose is definitely sour with notes of cranberry, toasty vanilla and oak.

Raw cranberry bitterness with almond creaminess and vanilla and oak tones.

Moderate carbonation - tiny bubbles, tight, crisp.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2011 13:48:28 | More by syrupjoe

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Surly Five. Five points in the pentagram, mystic talisman of satanic ministers, invoking demons and demigods to do evil bidding. I just knew the eventual imagery for this one, celebrating 5 years of Surliness, had to be Baphomet. "It Had to Be Baphomet." Sounds like a sitcom. or a broadway show. I want to see that.

So, this was made exactly like a Flanders Red. Brown ale and brettanomyces, aged in wine barrels, blended. But this comes out much darker than those. Called a "dark ale" on the label, perhaps in an effort to dodge associations with more famous "brown ales"?, …but looking at this final product, it is mighty dark.

Nearly black, this, with a slim head, currently a light, cola-tinted ring.

Aroma: black cherries, sourness, tart, slightly sweet, deep, and inviting. Beautiful. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Taste: bam, fruit, bam, sour, bam, pucker. Not incredibly intense, not horribly palate-wrecking, just nice and sour, amply backed up by rich malt. Tanin-y, tart, puckering, gritty, earthy, with the feel of grape peels, of getting into the insides of stone fruit, licking the pith, getting rightfully intimate with the danker sides of darker fruits. Berries and cherries, grape and more, a potent sour kick, then smooths, mellows, and winds down delightfully.

once off the palate, it begs back in. Hey, that was good, let's have some more. Mmmm, yeah. Tangy, tasty, never-ending sour kick, starts in the front, moves to the back. Lays long in the palate, fades slowly.

This is a very mellow, approachable version of this style, ridiculously delicious. Sour flavor still kicks in, drops it's bombs on the palate, over and over, with rich malt holding down below. Hints of cocoa, chocolate, some bitter hops and funky acidity. Tangy kick never quits, cherry/currant flavor remains strong, sourness reigns supreme.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 06:42:56 | More by feloniousmonk

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Cafe 28 today.

The beer pours a pretty dark brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is very impressive in this beer, showcasing considerable sour, chocolate, wine, vanilla and dark fruits. Frankly, in many ways the nose on this beer reminds me very much of the Cascade bourbonic plague. Unfortunately, this beer did not taste nearly as good as it smelled. There is considerable sour in the flavor profile, along with some underlying chocolate, brown sugar and wine. However, the flavors seemed muddled in this beer, with the sour clearly dominating the chocolate and wine I picked up on the nose. It's not bad, but it's not the sort beer I'll be unhappy to learn is gone. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a fairly long, mostly sour and wine finish. The alcohol is pretty well disguised, and is well integrated into the flavor profile

This is a very nice beer, but I can't say it's anything to get unduly excited about either. I have a bottle, so I'll hold onto it and see if things come together a bit a few years down the road.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2011 03:50:10 | More by johnmichaelsen

TheDudeRules

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap in a 8oz glass.

Pours a burgundy color liquid. Similar to wine. No head. No nothing. Smell is of grape skins and brett. Taste is right in line with smell. Not very tart. Rather bland for the type. Not my style of beer, but this is rather boring. I really love the sore throat feeling it gives me after I finish my sip.

Rather terrible.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 23:26:56 | More by TheDudeRules

Moon2Goddess

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Just came back from the Common Roots Cafe where I had this on tap. Other patrons must not be in the market for sours, because the server was trying to warn me about!

Color: Very dark cherry wood or mahogany. Nice red tones on the edges where bits of light could pass through. No head to speak of in the glass I was served, which was a stemless wine glass.

Aroma: Fantastic! Instantly reminded me of the Rodenbach Grand Cru. The predominant aroma was sour cherry, then raisin, oak and malt.

Texture: Decent texture, low carbonation, medium body, not creamy or frothy, but very evenly consistent. There was a good amount of sediment at the bottom however, which became little white chunks and took on a funky smell at the very end. I did not drink the last swallow because of this. For this reason only, I am scoring it lower on mouth-feel.

Flavor & Balance: The wine barrels gave it a darker flavor and richness than some other sours. It was quite smooth, and maintained its sour characteristic throughout, there were no uneven moments when the sour suddenly attacked and made my lips pucker and the hair stand up on the back of my neck. The malty tones and oak from the barrels made it a very easy drink. I can honestly say I could taste all the flavors the brewers claim--tobacco, dark malt and Brett, along with sour cherries and grapes it was extremely balanced and quite delicious.

I have two bottles of this in my fridge, I hope they taste as good as it did on tap!

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 20:02:55 | More by Moon2Goddess

tmcelvain

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

On-Tap at my local tavern - 10oz pour for 6 bucks, served in a tulip.

Nice dark mahogony color, but lacks much of any head. This seems true to the style, but for this ale it was a precursor to my biggest fault -

Super thin mouthfeel. I was about 4 oz in before the alcohol content began to build up a bit on my cheeks to give it a better body. This detracted a bit from the pleasing and complex flavor palette.

Very fruity and dry. A big departure from a lot of the other Surly products, but my complaints about the weight may stand to reason, as this is a fault I find with Bender/Coffee Bender as well.

Given those impressions, the flavors of sour cherry are very pleasing. I expected a funkier odor and taste, but my overall impression was a well balanced flavor and smell - a strong dark ale that you can sit for a long long time savoring a good number of.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2011 15:47:32 | More by tmcelvain

maximum12

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Republic in Minneapolis, new restaurant across from Town Hall. I gotta say that with the beers, ambience, & kick-ass food, it has a chance to steal us away from Town Hall once in a while. Great place.

Anyways, the beer. Having been raised on Russian River sours, it's a surprise that this beer is dark brown with a spare shot of reddish. Smell is very vinous, healthy shot of wine barrel mixed with a noseful of tart. Nice.

I have to say: wild ales aren't my favorite, & I still haven't found a sour that I really love. Surly Five is close. Sour-heads might not be too excited though. Not quite sour: a tart. Very tart. Really melds well with the wine & oak, which are both prominent. Sharp lemon. Extremely dry, complete lack of alcohol presence. Not making my brown-eye pucker, this is up there for drinkability, extremely drinkable for a wild. My wife & I split three of the 8 or 10 oz. glasses over & after dinner.

Well, damn. I was prepared to be all non-homer on this beer, but then it's all "drink me, I'm good!" & so it is. If this is going to get more sour with age, I'm going to drink my couple of bottles soon. Excellent beer that was well worth the wait.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2011 01:32:31 | More by maximum12

deebo

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap tonight at Republic release party for Surly's fifth anniversary beer Five.

A-Weak tan head that is gone almost immediately-a little hangs on rim of glass. Color is dark brown with reddish hue.

S-Boozy aroma, some caramel malt with a hint of an acid bite.

T-Upfront sour. The sour is not an overpowering Brett bite. A mild lactic acid bite, not acetic like some sours which makes it smoother than others. Mild malt flavor is also there.

M-Fairly tingly. Moderate-high carbonation. Thin body. No alcohol burn-hidden nicely for a stronger beer.

D-More drinkable than dark sours I've had such as Rodenbach Cru. This one would be easy to have multiple pints.

O-A good sour. A nice entry to sour dark ales for those that are new to the style and expect it to taste more like "traditional beer". Will be interested to see how these age in the cellar.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2011 00:27:37 | More by deebo

ngeunit1

California

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Reddish-brown with a finger of frothy tan-khaki head. Fades normal.

S - Sour cherries, oak, vanilla, red wine, other dark fruits, some dark malts, funky Brett, and some tart green fruits.

T - Sour cherries, funky Brett, oak, vanilla, red wine, dark fruits, dark malts, tart green apple and other green fruits.

M - Medium bodied with moderate-light carbonation. Smooth with a tart and sour finish.

D - Nice wild ale. Good overall balance and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 04:45:43 | More by ngeunit1

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Generously shared by Rutager.

A: Black liquid with a slight tan head around the edges of the glass.

S: Smells like an oud bruin. Caramel malt and sourness.

T: Pears, white wine, red wine, oak, chocolate, hazelnut and caramel.

M: Medium to thin viscosity and a low level of carbonation.

O: Interesting wild ale reminiscent of an oud bruin.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 01:19:03 | More by DaftCaskBC

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Huge thank you to Steasy66 and Mikesgroove for each getting me a bottle of this!

Appearance. Pours a deep dark brown with half a finger of khaki head.

Smell. Malt vinegar and sweet dark malts, a little cherry and dark fruit. Yum!

Taste. Sour, cocoa, red berry tartness, old dank barrel, a little dry funky brett.

Mouthfeel. Lighter than medium body, lowish carbonation.

Overall. Interesting, different and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:21:54 | More by Rutager

ElderPuma

Wisconsin

4.56/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is a very dark deep red to brownish color and pours with a minimal head. Appearance is solid but leaves you wanting a bit more.

For whatever the beer lacks in appearance it makes up for in smell and flavor. The beer is a typical amazing Brett sour with heavy tones of leather, hay, and I hate to say it but wet horse blanket. If you love sours, this is right up your ally and I am quite sad I only had this one bottle.

In terms of mouthfeel this is spot on for a sour. It is effervescent and well carbonated but overly light in body. A perfect example of body for a sour.

All in all, this is a superb example of a Brett aged sour beer and one that sadly is a limited production.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 02:48:59 | More by ElderPuma

Jfriz25

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance- Dark brown with ruby edges. Thin off white head that's fades to a film of tiny bubbles.

Smell- The dominant smell is sour apple but underneath there is some earthy funky stuff going on.

Taste- The taste follows the smell pretty closely. Sour apple, some cherry, funky leather seems to finish.

Mouthfeel- Fairly thin body but the carbonation makes the overall mouthfeel smooth and almost creamy.

Overall- Really glad I got a chance to try this out of the bottle after having a sample at the great taste. It lived up to my drunken memories. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 02:47:47 | More by Jfriz25

Jriggz

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown body with tan head that discipates quickly to ring. Smell sour cherries with slight funk. Taste sour cherries, red wine, moderately sour with slight notes of oak and funk finish. Mouthfeel lively with dry finish. Decent Brett brew. Nice job Surly!

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 22:27:03 | More by Jriggz

oline73

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this at the November Baltimore BA tasting. Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter.

Appearance: The beer pours a mostly clear mahogany color with hardly any off white head. The head fades to a ring around the pour.

Smell: I'm getting lots of dark sour smell, some wine and a hint of red berry tartness. Just enough malt sweetness to compliment the sourness.

Taste: Wine and red berries with some malt sweetness in the background. Just a touch of vinegar and a hint of bitterness. The finish is tart with some fruity vinegar notes.

Mouthfeel: The body is medium with tingly carbonation and a finish that is a bit dry.

Overall: This is a nice dark sour. Quite smooth and I think it will age quite nicely. I would have more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 21:10:30 | More by oline73