Ris A La M'ale - Mikkeller ApS

BNodes

California

4.83/5  rDev +36.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received this bottle as a gift. The beer is a dark red with medium carbonation. The smell is mostly of cherries. Flavor is quite unique. I was expecting an intense supplication type cherry flavor, but this is a more subtle cherry flavor, with the malt characteristics still coming through. The almonds are not immediately identifiable, but it definitely gives the beer a new dimension. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 16:58:48 | More by BNodes

Jake1605

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev +29.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12.7 oz. bottle poured into a snifter.

Appearance: Dark red/orange color with a pinkish 3 finger head that was sudsy like soap. The head does not dissipate, leaving thick rings of lacing on the side of the glass. Excellent carbonation.

Smell: Very sweet, but mild. The smell is my least favorite thing about the beer, but I like it the way it is. If it had a stronger smell, there might be too many cherries for my liking. The alcohol smell is very subtle, it's in there but hiding.

Taste: Simple yet complex--This beer changed my views on cherry beers. It was not over the top with any flavors, it's really enjoyable. I would like to try this dessert to compare the flavors. I slightly taste the almonds, some citrus, & sweet malt--And obviously the sour cherries. The taste was amazing.

Mouthfeel: Oh so smooth & creamy, perfectly carbonated.

Drinkability: Outstanding drinkiabilty, it doesn't feel like I am drinking a 8% ABV beer. I wish I had several of these to drink on Christmas Eve to share with friends & family.

Pick this up if you have the chance, it's worth a try. I thought it was worth the $8.49 I paid for it.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2010 08:46:47 | More by Jake1605

trixdout

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +27.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage.

Another Mikkeller and I think this has got to be my favorite fruit/vegetable beer to date.

Appearance - is a light ruby red color, almost a reddish gold, definitely a little haze, some carbonation rising from the bottom center of the Duvel Tulip. After harshly pouring it into the tulip a 3.5 finger head developed that was quite frothy snow-white head and left quite a cob-web-like lace all over.

Smell - I got quite a sinus issue so my smell is not all that great. I get tons of cherries and some floral notes, but can't seem to find the almonds or any other aromas.

Taste - Now this is where the fun begins. Right out the gate, the brew gives you a smack to the face with a vibrant/rich like lemon taste that is not sour at all, next you get a breeze of butterscotch as the brew goes down. As soon as that butterscotch vanishes, an unsalted butter comes into play which could be from the almonds. In the finish, there is quite an earthy sensation as well as some floral aspects to that butter. There is even some tartness, but it's almost hidden thanks to that earthy taste.

Mouthfeel - Initially it is very vibrant and rich, and quickly changes to a creamy/buttery brew. Quite dry in the end, but also mouth watering.

Overall - Would definitely get it again, but the price of $8.99 kind of throws me off. Maybe at around $5.99-6.99 it would be a good purchase.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:06:24 | More by trixdout

redleaves

Maine

4.35/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Funny red color, never seen a beer that's red, amber and cloudy all at the same time. Lots of yeast came through even on a careful pour. Nose isn't really there, I expected more than a light grain smell. Taste is wonderful, cherries but not tart, I think this is thanks to the almonds. Others say they don't taste the almonds but the creamy edge the cherries get is from that. I'm glad I drank this for dessert though. Very full flavor, amaretto, caramel, and grain. Like a cake of some sort. Carbonation is perfect full enough to keep off any cloying sweetness, no detectable hops apart from offsetting sweetness, but maybe that's the almonds. Well done, my first mikkeller due to the prices but this one is certainly worth it!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 05:06:59 | More by redleaves

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out on tap at the Trapp Door, it gives off a reddish orange color with a decent looking head on top. The head fades and just leaves a slight ring around the glass. The smell of this beer reminded me of sweet apple cider and some spice. The taste is also sweet and spicy, really nice for a finisher or a night cap. The mouthfeel has a medium body to it along with a light carbonation. Overall I feel that Mikkeller strikes again with another really interesting brew. I can people not enjoying this but if you have it at the proper time of the day I feel that it will not the spot. I would be interested in having this one again some day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2011 00:38:48 | More by Knapp85

codsmith

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a deep reddish brown with a two finger foam off-white head that stays around.The head laces the glass nicely throughout

S: The smell is close to a very clean Belgian, but with a little less yeast esters present on the nose. Almost reminiscent of a sparkling champagne. I was really hoping for some of the cherries and almonds to come through in the smell, but sadly none that I could detect.

T: It has a very smooth and tactful cherry flavor. Very well balanced. I was a expecting less due to the smell, but the taste full delivered better than I was hoping.

M: Incredibly smooth and well rounded. Light-to-medium mouth-feel. Flavor really gets all around the mouth

O: I'm a huge Mikkeller stout fan and got this one on a whim... and I continue to be impressed by another style of Mikkeller. The only thing I would change is the smell to be more accompanying to the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 03:18:10 | More by codsmith

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.21/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pink tinted head and body more cherry brown hues in the body with hints of glowing amber....fine bubbled Belgian style lacing. Aroma has tart cherries malt forward bread and a mild nutty finish. It's one you sip when you really taste the almond skins, and earthiness with tart cherries in the finish complex fine ale I'm glad this was my locals last bottle. Brewed at De Proef, you can smell and taste the BELGIAN influence here friends. Earthy cherry cider with hints of almond think a high class amaretto liquor blended in your favorite Belgian sour ale. Mouthfeel is fine with the carbonation light flowing bubbles with a textured hint of syrup from residual sugars left behind in fermentation overall classic sour ale, I'm glad Mikkeller showed that he does have some finesse.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 01:09:52 | More by WVbeergeek

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy copper-brown with a finger of frothy off-white head. Fades fairly slowly.

S - Sweet caramel malts, cherries, almonds, and some bready malts.

T - Sweet caramel and biscuity malts, cherries with a touch of sourness, almonds, some residual sugars.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet, warming finish.

D - Nice fruit beer. Good overall balance and mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:00:51 | More by ngeunit1

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

super cool beer, like no other that i am aware of in existance. it has a pleasant pale pink color to it, with majorly active carbonation accumulating a few inches of bubbly almost see through head. the nose is more cherry than anything, yeasty too, with a saison sort of wildness to it, and an essentially nonexistant malt smell and taste. the almonds kind of vill the void left by the light malt, adding a unique and not so subtle nutty quality, with almost a vanilla and wood essence, although the cherry is the star of the show here, not sweet, not tart, just very flavorful and ripe. the yeast ties everything together, and the alcohol is barely there. it has a mouthfeel like champagne, effervescent, light, semisweet, but dry also. could gladly drink a bunch of these, which i rarely say of a fruit beer. classic stuff from mikkeller here, worth the price (i hate to say), of 15 odd bucks for a 12.7oz. bottle. its too interesting to pass up. also a beer your non hop loving girlfriend might get into...

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:19:54 | More by StonedTrippin

SolomonGrundy

California

4.03/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I'm starving!! Must...write....quickly....Pours a vibrant and beautiful red tinted with orange. It pours a huge, soapy head that slowly crumbles into a half=finger of persistent, white beauty. Sheets of lacing and well carbonated to boot!! So far a winner. Sour cherry dominates the nose, as one would expect from this ale-take on a European X-Mas time dessert that's topped with cherries!!! Some crisp yeast and malt notes in there too, like wheat. Some citrus of the tangerine persuasion also. Very nice. Flavor is a wonderful, tangy melding of cherry, wheat-like malt characteristics, and some cask-like notes - maybe a hint of char way in the back. Weird, unexpected and altogether fantastic. The middle is more of these evolving flavors that work together rather than against each other. Finish is super long and very dry - like a desert. Delicious but also quite expensive at $8.99/375ml bottle. Worth every penny that you find behind the cushions of your couch, though.

What I like most: Pretty much everything.

What I like least: The price, and that's 'bout it.

Verdict: A unique and delicious must-find, folks. Maybe beg Santa for some.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2010 03:09:52 | More by SolomonGrundy

brew3crew

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to urbancaver on this wonderful spring afternoon.

A-bronze in color with almost a pink head
S-lots of cherries and a slight bit if almonds
T-tastes alot like it smells. Cherries up front and almonds in the finish
M-medium bodied and smooth with an almond after taste.
D-very drinkable. Gone in no time.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 21:28:11 | More by brew3crew

Urbancaver

Ohio

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pinkish orange. Tons of frothy head. Looks really interesting. Very pinkish.
Smells sour and sweet on the nose. Some nice almond as well on the nose. Te cherry is fairly apparent. The taste is sweet and a bit tart. Like sweet cherry pie. And to my surprise i can taste almond on the tongue pretty prominently. Very unique interesting beer. Highly carbonated and very drinkable. I would Definitely have this again

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 21:26:40 | More by Urbancaver

ADZA

Australia

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Wow this pours like a desert beer with a murky blood orange reddish hue which leaves behind a two finger head that slowly dissapates and leaves smoggy islands everywhere and heaps of clingy lacing.

S-Creamy vanilla,nuts,sour cherries and sweaty socks.

T-Sour cherries,vanilla,barnyard funk,a nutty creaminess and finished with a touch of raasperries and sour yoghurt.

M-Creamy nearly full bodied and sour.

O-For me this is a nice desert beer and the one would be enough definately not someting you could drink all night cheers.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 14:02:21 | More by ADZA

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

375ml bottle. Timmermans Flute glass. Enjoyed on jul´12 -funny no-planned tasting session in good company at the Freiburg- (Thanks to Robert -the best nose on this side of the bar- & Manolo –deluxe barman). Pours bright reddish amber, cherry-like to the light. Chill haze. White crown. Nice spots & fairly good retention. Aromas of rice, lactis, vanilla, berries & green almond. Funny sweet maltiness & raspberry hues. Low hoppiness. Gentle & refreshing sensation. Light body. Moderate to high carbonation. Watery but flavorful texture. Undelying warming alcohol masked by fruitness in the middle. Mildy toasted malty & sweet finish. Well balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 01:07:30 | More by GONZALOYANNA

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Phelps, from the Blind BIF III. reviewed blind.

375ml into Bells tulip. Corked and caged. Synthetic cork.

A- Pink and ruby on the pour. Hmm. Interesting color. A bit hazy, some orange highlights. Big white fluffy head that has some sticky frosty lacing on the glass. Actually, the head is slightly pink too.

S- Fruity, berries. Cherries? Cherries.

T- Tart fruit, this is for sure a cherry beer. Trying to identify the base... not a lambic, not sour, just tart. A bit of an earthy taste and some medicinal notes come out too..

M- Good tartness, light enough body, although this is prob. 6-7%. Good carbonation. Nice finish.

D- Moderately high. Very tasty stuff, great fruit presence. If you like cherries, check this one out.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 02:18:57 | More by ShogoKawada

ManVersusBeer

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

After unwrapping like a Christmas present, this beer pours an orange caramel body with hints of rose color along with a crisp pink foam head.
The smell is real cherries with a subtle nuttiness. Somewhat like a seeded dry bread and pie.
Sweetness and tinges of cherry lambic power the taste. Banana esters come through with bites of tart, crunchy apples like Ginger Golds or Honey Crisps. Very nice and interesting.
Quite crisp and dry like a french cherry cidré. The beer presents a good mellow flavor and an easy, refreshing drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 01:28:50 | More by ManVersusBeer

Arenbeer

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12.7oz bottle thanks to Finewinemike

Poured into a goblet at fridge temperature

A- Pours a nice clear dark reddish brown with a fluffy 2 finger pinkish white head that sticks around like a cloud on the beer. Leaves a good amount of slow moving sticky lacing on the side of the glass.

S- Pale bready malts up front with a slight cherry sweetness in there. Slight nuttiness from the almonds but hard to pick out. Smell like a real light beer more than anything.

T- Real thick and creamy malts up front and definitely some rice in there. Tastes just like ris a la mande when it's still in your mouth but after it goes down the bitter dark cherry comes out and sticks with you in the back of your throat. Not really getting to much nut like flavors unfortunately and has some slight metal like skunk to it.

M- Medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a really nice slight bitter dry finish.

Overall this beer really hits home with me and been pumped to try it since it came out. Every year since i was little at christmas my family makes Ris a la mande as a dessert because my family is danish. So when i heard about this I had to get it. I have to say Mikkeller definitely did a good job with this beer for what the dessert actually is and how plain it is. It was a nice touch adding the almond and cherry in there. I could understand never having the dessert and not really liking or understanding this beer.

SkÅL!

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 00:50:23 | More by Arenbeer

chugalug06

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 vintage

A - Very nice White foamy head. Some good lacing too. Brew is a bit cloudy, Orange/Brown/Red.

S - Lots of almonds... Almost too much. Some super dark cherries. No sugar, verly little sweetness. Quite pleasant and light.

T/M - Very light and enjoyable. This brew could be session-ed. Very dry with reasonable amount of bitterness. You can tell the cherries and almonds were well blended, otherwise this could easily turn into a mess of a brew... No sourness like I was secretly hoping for... No noticeable heat.

O - A very unique brew. Glad I tried this one. Recommended for the adventuresome beer drinker.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 02:22:01 | More by chugalug06

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a paper-wrapped 375mL bottle into an Allagash cervoise glass. Brewed at De Proef Bouwerj. Stamped 8891208.

A: A careless pour nets an overflux of lightly pinkish head which I'm compelled to siphon away. The beer is clear golden-brown, the color of unfiltered honey. Heavy, sticky lacing.

S: This smells like something, though what I could not say. No, wait, it actually smells like Heineken. Ugh.

T/M: The head taste great! Light yeast, tart cherries, and a subtle aftertaste of amaretto. The beer is similar, with a light tang and noticeable almond flavor. The beer is smooth and light, almost wine-like. The finish is moreish and smackworthy.

O: I really enjoyed this Mikkeller effort, and don't really understand the low ratings. I would have another, recommend, and generally approve. Well-made and interesting!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 06:40:09 | More by AgentMunky

GbVDave

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a synthetic cork and caged (and paper wrapped) 375ml bottle into a Mikkeller long stemmed tulip.

Back label code: 7511008

A: Pours a deep dark pink with two fingers of light pink meringue on top. Retention was excellent as was the lacing. Carbonation was somewhat active.

S: Cherries and almonds. As it warmed, it began to smell a bit like a cherry almond torte. I also picked up on some mildly Saison-ish spicing that, sadly, wasn't more in the forefront.

T: Pretty agreeable cherry flavor. I think the almonds actually tone down what could've been overly bright cherry. Once again, Saison spices lurking in the background with a bit of sweet malt.

M: The sweetness of a fruit beer with the spicy dryness of a Saison. Finishes dry and a bit peppery. Astringent spiciness cleanses the tongue of any remnants of fruit.

D: After glancing at kkipple's review score (KRS) for this I braced myself for a truly horrifying experience...and I was pleasantly surprised. Not quite sure what Mikkel was going for with this (an after holiday dinner dessert beer?) but I enjoyed it. This actually would function quite well as a stomache settler after a gut-busting Thanksgiving and/or Christmas dinner. Relatively light with almost non-existant alcohol presence.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 18:22:23 | More by GbVDave

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12.7 oz green papered, caged, and synthetic corked bottle.

It pours a beaut of a color. It is a clear orangeish magentaish red with a big foamy white head. The head sticks for a good while and leaves some very nice lacing.

The smell is very subtle. It smells like a cherry desert with marzipan, almond extract, cherries, and pastry. Along with it is what seems to be noble hops, but the hops are zesty, citrusy, and herbal and they complement the sweet cherries very nicely. I'm surprised, but the smell is right on.

The flavor is also very nice. It has a surprising bitterness again form the hops. The cherries really shine here though. They are sweet with a hint of tartness and blend with the malts like a danish pastry, often times kringle will be sold with almond so it seems like a good fit, but the almond doesn't come out as much in the flavor in the very aftertaste you get that nutty flavor but it seems a bit faint. I think the hops drown it out.

All in all it is a solid Mikkeller offering. He probably could have gone without the flavoring and bittering hops, but the aroma hops worked great.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 07:14:56 | More by crossovert

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12.7oz bottle into a LaTrappe chalice.

A: Slightly pink hued head looks creamy but fades quickly. Body is mostly amber with a red hint from the cherries.

S: Smell is actually unimpressive, maybe the bottle was too cold, but I was unsure of the serving temperature. Smells like a normal beer, maybe a light noble hop aroma.

T: Very lightly flavored. Slight cherry sweetness on the finish.

M: Crisp, well carbonated.

D: This is the most amazing part of the beer, it drinks as if it was much, much lighter.

Actually a very nice beer, but not at this price point. I guess I expect expensive beers to be packed with flavor, and that expectation hurt the scoring here. It's nice and tasty, just unimpressive.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 00:39:46 | More by 51mmz0rz

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up on KJ Baarons and poured into my Duvel tulip. This really jumped at me...an ale brewed with cherries and almonds? Expecting a flavour profile from an Italian brewery, not a Danish one.

A - Poured a rosey pink hue that wasnt quite see through. Atop this sat a big, fluffy two finger head that while it left very little lacing that head hung around forever.

S - Getting some really nice sweet cherry notes but not much almond. Theres some light roasty aromas presumably from the almonds but no standout almond aroma.

T - Much like the aroma there are nice smooth cherry flavours with some very, very light sweet almond tastes. I would like a little more almond flavour though with this.

M - Wow this is nice. Its got some nice carbonation to keep it light and not heavy or syrupy, however, it still manages to stay nice and creamy.

O - This is a nice fruit beer. Would like the almond to be a bit more, but perhaps its just overshadowed by the nice cherry flavours. The ABV is present on the nose and taste slightly. If the price was a bit lower I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 04:23:21 | More by rudzud

mltobin

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Spuyten Duyvil.

Appearance is a light red with pink head. Its` nose has strawberry, malts, a few spices. An interesting aroma, but very fruity and sweet. Taking a sip and I taste strawberry, some raspberry, a bit of sourness . Mouthfeel is medium, some carbonation. Overall, a pretty solid beer and one that I would recommend ordering for a girlfriend that enjoys rose champagne.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 02:22:03 | More by mltobin

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy garnet red with orange highlights in color and some very light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall creamy pinkish off-white head that has great retention properties - the head reduces to a thick film and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Aromas of sour cherries along with a strong presence of almonds. Slightly sweet with some extremely light amounts of funkiness.

T: The beer starts out kind of sweet with some cherry fruit, then the cherry sourness takes over. The almond presence comes out in the finish with some light bitterness. There is a very slight amount of funk and vinous notes.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Creamy and smooth which is unexpected for the style.

O: Very unique in appearance with an unusual combination of flavors that was successful. Enjoyable and I'm really glad that I tried this one even if it is not the easiest to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 23:56:52 | More by dbrauneis