Yeast Series: Brettanomyces - Mikkeller ApS

SMortiL987

Louisiana

3.73/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Golden orange, cloudy, rust color. Nice off white head which slowly fades. Nice lacing down the glass as it is drunk.

S - Obvious Brett character. Slightly spicy, earthy smell. Slightly medicinal, slightly acidic. A touch of funk.

T - Malty, with a touch of medicinal. Citrusy and bitter. A touch of earth; not as extreme in the funk as many Brett / sour examples. Just enough to perhaps introduce someone into the world of Brett without being overbearing.

M - Medium mouthfeel with a nice, slick coating on the tounge. Medium, tight carbonation. A tad bit of alcohol warmth creeps in not long after swallowing.

O - A very mild Brett sour. Personally, I think the bitterness of hops slightly overshadows the Brett which the beer is attempting to showcase. However, I would def purchase this beer again and use it to help convert friends to the Brett sours.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 05:47:52 | More by SMortiL987

JellyJacket

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -17.9%

05-07-2013 00:28:01 | More by JellyJacket

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Brix, Omaha, NE
Date: None on bottle (purchased in 2011)
Glass: New Belgium globe glass

I enjoyed Mikkeller's Yeast Series: Brettanomyces beer, despite initial reservations on what the Brett intensity and characters of this beer would be. I found the beer to be a pleasant mix of toasted malt fermented mixed with Brett characters of slightly spicy phenolics, burnt dust, leaf litter, sugary-acidic candy, composting hay, and a mild burnt plastic. Aside from price, this is a beer I would try again, and consider brewing a version of myself.

Pours a 2cm head of off-white foam, composed of small and medium-sized bubbles, the result appearing quite frothy. Retention is above average, lasting over a minute while fading to a thin cap atop the body. A significant amount of lacing is left along the glass in a variety of shapes and patterns. Body is a light caramel brown color, somewhat hazy from suspended sediment, with light bringing out orange and rust-colored tones. Darker than I expected, and with some visibly active carbonation.

Aroma is a pleasant mix of toasted or otherwise browned malts that have been fermented alongside Brettanomyces yeast: slightly spicy phenolics, burnt dust, leaf litter, sugary-acidic candy, composting hay, and a mild burnt plastic that is not strong enough to be off-putting.

Overall flavor of the beer is similar to its aroma, a mix of toasted malt and attendent sweetness with Brettanomyces-induced spicy phenolics, sugary-acidic candy, leaf litter, and mild burnt plastic. Front of palate opens with toasted malt flavors tied to sugary-acidic candy (think US Smarties), seamlessly transitioning to a mid-palate that features subdued sweetness behind spicy phenolic compounds, leaf litter flavor, and a bit of burnt dust. Back of palate picks up continued sweetness with mild burnt plastic flavors arriving, slightly on top of spicy phenolic compounds, leaf litter flavor, and a bit of burnt dust. I do not detect the presence of ethanol, despite this being 8%.

The beer has a medium weight to it, with carbonation of medium intensity, resulting in a slightly fizzy at first, but quickly becoming foamy and somewhat smooth, mouthfeel. Closes semi-dry, with little residual stickiness and a bit of ethanol warmth.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 05:43:48 | More by falloutsnow

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +1%

10-29-2012 02:01:34 | More by t0rin0

pohldogg356

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +1%

07-14-2012 02:42:35 | More by pohldogg356

theminutemen

Missouri

4/5  rDev +1%

06-22-2012 18:58:47 | More by theminutemen

polishkaz

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1%

06-06-2012 23:39:52 | More by polishkaz

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've been trying to locate this beer for some time now, and finally I got a hold of it. And at $7, it better be good. We've got all the hallmark characteristics of the style/yeast. Seems a bit acidic. Very direct and distinct profile. I mean, it's Brett, so what do ya expect. I guess this is what I'd expect, and I got it. A nice production.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 05:38:10 | More by RblWthACoz

rinhaak

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1%

04-04-2012 03:41:08 | More by rinhaak

skotster13

California

4.28/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle: purchased at Perry's Liquors (Livermore, Ca)
Consumed from Michael Jackson's "Tasting Glass"
A: Cloudy, blood orange colour. Pours with a thin white head.
Promises tart flavours.
S: Nose is tart orange, bitter citrus.
T: Taste of soft orange and tangerine. Tart brett is apparent but not overstated.
M: Delicate and lively. Tartness is playful yet smooth. Wonderful puckering.
O: Have had better Brett beers, but as always Mikkeller comes through with a delicious adventure into the world of Brett. Would almost call it a sour for beginners. Quite liked it.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 19:08:09 | More by skotster13

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

9oz draft pour, served in a snifter, and sampled on 10/22/11.

A: Arrives with a small white head that lasts fairly long and provides random slings of lace. The body is medium orange, very radiant.

S: Great nose and unexpected hop aroma. Even though the yeast character is strong, the hops contribute floral notes plus citrus scents of orange, lemon and clementine. Barnyard,funk and Smarties are prevalent, but not overwhelmingly so.

T: Just a small drop off from the nose. Citrus fruit forward flavors continue while adding peach and pineapple. The malt bill is grainy and nondescript - a sensible decision for the yeast series. Brett is much more intense here and adds a butterscotch flavor plus chalk on the finish.

M: Medium body with a mineral-like texture. Carbonation is fizzy and adequate. Lightly sweet at first. Finishes dry with a moderate amount of bitterness on the backend.

O: Pretty darn good beer from Mikkeller. And redeeming enough for me to continue to take chances on this spotty brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 14:26:48 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Funky aroma wafts through the room. Cloudy golden body with a ridiculous amount of thick foam. A bit of a tongue number, active carbonation. A little toastiness, carmel, citrus. Really good, and fun, if you like funk. Very drinkable, ends in tartness, and then a bitter aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 03:57:53 | More by northyorksammy

whartontallboy

New York

4/5  rDev +1%

01-17-2012 03:04:19 | More by whartontallboy

deapokid

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1%

11-26-2011 13:33:25 | More by deapokid

clegolfski

Ohio

5/5  rDev +26.3%

11-26-2011 04:43:53 | More by clegolfski

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +1%

11-21-2011 19:02:03 | More by JAHMUR

HopStoopid120

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +26.3%

11-16-2011 05:07:52 | More by HopStoopid120

westcoastbeerlvr

California

2/5  rDev -49.5%

11-15-2011 19:03:16 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

patm1986

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1%

11-15-2011 06:25:03 | More by patm1986

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2011-10-15 at Capone's (from notes)

A - Dark amber with a big, tan head and excellent lacing. Deep-hued red light refracts around the edges of the glass. A great looking beer.

S - Certainly smells like brett yeast with hay, earthy spice and funk.

T - There's a big malt base that is earthy and spicy, followed quickly by plenty of sourness and some hay. Less than a Rodenbach Grand Cru but significant. A big sour-spicy finish.

M - Light body and medium carbonation. Light, crisp and just a touch resinous.

O - A really nice sour. My wife would like this one a lot too. I'd seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2011 11:38:48 | More by Tucquan

dubinsky

California

3.4/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle covered with yeast spores into a tulip glass.

A - Pours a hazy dark orange with a fluffy two finger off white head. The head sticks around for a minute and eventually recedes, but leaves a trace of lace that marked how tall the head was. Great retention.

B - Bretty funk dominates the nose of this beer. Its super tropical smelling with , passion fruit, grapefruit, some sour fruits.

T - Not what i was expecting. I had thought this would be a sour beer based on the smell but this one is really bitter initially. Kind of like the white rind of a grapefruit. The brett is very strong and funky leaving a tartness in the back of the mouth. Very earthy.

M - Medium to heavy body with really good carbonation. Its pretty creamy for the style. The abv is a bit evident as it goes down a bit hot.

O - Like everyone else this beer threw me a curve ball. My mouth had an internal argument with my brain because my nose told it that it would taste different than it was. I really wanted this to be great, it was fun and good at best. I think its great that mikkeller is doing this sort of series with yeast and hops. It allows me to really understand what im drinking with other beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 03:28:22 | More by dubinsky

AgentZero

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Copper colored beer with a bit of haze. Fluffy white head that left some spots on the sides.

S - Some tropical fruit, funk, citrus. Smells better than the other two I had.

T - Taste is about like the nose. Some funk, light sour notes. Little bit of lactic notes on the end.

M - Lower carbonation, medium bodied.

O - I guess this is the best one, although it's not great. I don't really care for the yeast series. I think if you are going to focus on different yeasts you should make sure the beers you're making are better.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 03:20:52 | More by AgentZero

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft at the Farmers' Cabinet.

Pours a hazy, dark golden orange color with tangerine edges and a one finger frothy white head.  Good retention slowly fading into a lasting ring that leaves sporadic spots of lace.  

Slightly funky, dry aroma with subtle barnyard notes and funky dry Brett.  Also pretty hoppy/earthy with lots of grass, straw and a bunch of citrus.  Hints of mango, papaya and orange peel.  

Medium bodied with a nice balance of dry, earthy,funk, bitter earthy hops and sweet citrus notes.  Dry funky brett up front that lingers over the sweet citrus into a lingering funky, dry finish. Hints of mango, pineapple and orange peel.  Complex and unique.  One of the better ipa/Bret hybrids.   Abv well masked subtle heat in the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2011 04:57:38 | More by corby112

jamescain

Texas

3.65/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a sniffer, thanks StoneBrewFanatic for sharing this one

Appearance: Orange-copper with a white head about one finger thick.

Aroma: Tropical fruits dominate the nose with a spicy character and a little funk, but not over powering.

Taste: Not nearly as nice as the nose. Rather subdued and muted, not much going on. Slightly fruity with a sweet finish, but nothing impressive.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation and light body with a slightly sweet finish.

Overall: I wonder what strain of brettanomyces because the funk just wasn’t there. I would assume they used one of the more mild strains which produce more fruity esters or the beer was just too young and could use more time for the brett to work.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 20:52:44 | More by jamescain

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice amber color, cap of stiff white bubbles, good retention and lacing. Scent is dominated by brett as expected, earthy barnyard funk, nice underlying fresh dried hay and grapefruity hops come through. Taste is brett forward as well, some tartness acompanies the funkyness. Unexpected light fruityness aside from grapefruity hops. Lighter side of medium bodied, lingers on lips and palate. A nice beer, very much a showcase for brett, but good underlying beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 14:26:36 | More by rfgetz