Spontanwildstrawberry - Mikkeller ApS

mkotsayfan

California

3.74/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 375ml bottle into a snifter. Pours a cloudy dark orange with a nice pillowy white head w/decent retention. The aroma has typical lambic smells: lemon, funk, grapes, and a disappointing amount of strawberries/sweetness. The taste delightfully has more strawberry, but something is offputting a little bit. I'm not sure if it's just the mix of flavors, or if the strawberries themselves aren't quite as good when fermented, but it's off. Nothing offensive, however. The mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with good carbonation, and a nice tart finish.

A solid brew from Mikkeler, I can see those that don't like Strawberries might think the taste is a little offputting, but I still thought it was fairy enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 21:54:19 | More by mkotsayfan

anhigdon

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -9.9%

05-10-2013 19:29:21 | More by anhigdon

C2H5

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-07-2013 05:25:27 | More by C2H5

tsauce2

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-04-2013 16:06:27 | More by tsauce2

Beejay

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

A: A very hazy peach color.. the head rises instantly to the top of the glass like champagne, before the large bubbles collapse upon themselves, leaving a foamy ring around the glass, and a thin frosting of light head.

S: As the bubbles burst through the top layer of the beer, they bring with them tartness, and an acidic note. Berries dance with the sour smell, and perhaps a touch of a plastic note lingers in. I am also getting a smell like fresh stream water and wet rock. Almost a bit of earthiness. As I continue to sniff the plastic smell comes forward a hint.. hopefully it doesn't show itself in the taste.

T: Tart! Whew is that tart, there is a quality like a citrus peel... part sour, part bitter. Light strawberry notes as well as some earthiness followed by funk, there is almost a sharpness to it, like an aged cheese. Very interesting.

M: Dry and high carbonation. There is certainly an acidic feel to it, making your teeth feel like you just ate a lemon. The dryness leaves you reaching for another sip.

O: Overall interesting. Not my favorite beer in the world, but I had a craving for a good sour.. this didn't quite quench the craving, but it was a start. A little too much funk, and not quite enough cohesion.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:11:25 | More by Beejay

bsinger45

Colorado

3/5  rDev -9.9%

04-29-2013 21:16:47 | More by bsinger45

Pencible

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured a nearly opaque bright copper with quickly dissipating off white head.
S: It smelled like very tart vinegar and funky oak, with musky white grapes and a hint of unripe strawberries.
T: It tasted like huge funky oak and musky white grapes, with some tart vinegar and unripe strawberries. It had a lasting and bold funky aftertaste.
M: It was watery with lots of carbonation. Nice lively body.
D: This was a pretty extreme lambic, with borderline moldy character. The scent and taste were fairly complex, but not so delicate or refined. The body was fitting, but the finish was pretty harsh, so it must be sipped. Hoping age will help this brew mellow out and gel. Fresh, it was a challenge to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:46:38 | More by Pencible

danbar

Maryland

3/5  rDev -9.9%

04-10-2013 02:03:24 | More by danbar

buckyp

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -9.9%

04-05-2013 03:54:37 | More by buckyp

sweemzander

Illinois

3.49/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip.

(A)- Pours a cloudy golden orange color. Produced quite the voluminous white fluffy head that is really sticking around for awhile. Lacing 'a plenty left behind in the process.

(S)- The smell is funk central. Brett heavy with a potent but clean acidity. Ever so slightly earthy in the funk as it turns very very dry. On the finish is one of the brightest strawberry fruit aromas I have ever seen in the style; very juicy.

(T)- Very similar to the smell. Really dry and funky up front. Very Brett-centric in the funk area, that almost turns a touch towards the band-aid realm for me. Its saving grace is the bright strawberry acidic fruits on the finish.

(M)- A crisp and vibrant carbonation level. The dryness helps, though the Brett heavy funk profile turns almost medicinal/band-aid. Thankfully the fruits come through on the finish to twist it into a nice fruit profile for the lambic base.

(O)- This looked and smelled quite good; awesome really. The taste and feel is just way too much centered on the hospital room Brett funk to really enjoy fully. The vibrant strawberries on the finish was the saving grace of this beer that explains why my review is not scored lower.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 19:08:48 | More by sweemzander

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev +12.6%

03-30-2013 22:55:29 | More by t0rin0

mfnmbvp

Illinois

4/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12.7 fl oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date present, but the cap does say 10081205. Got this at the local Binny's the other day. My second journey into the realm of lambics, and it is always exciting to try another one of Mikkeller's creations.

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours about one finger of off-white bubbly head, audibly sizzling away. Head retains itself for a minute or two. Body color is light orange around the edges, and a bit darker in the middle. Almost an IPA-like appearance to it. Can definitely spot a bit of a yeasty culture looking presence in there.

S - As soon as I uncapped this, I got a whiff of the sour barnyard funk, and tart fruit. Funky Belgian yeast type smell almost reminds me of a fruity latex glove. One of the more unique smelling beers that I've encountered, yet I was still hoping for much more fruit.

T - Extremely tart, sour, and yeasty. Tastes of brettanomyces and bacteria. Belgian yeast strains don't exactly seem to be my thing, but I'm slowly trying to ween my way towards liking them, taking baby steps. Would have definitely enjoyed more of a strawberry presence here, because I can barely taste any strawberry at all.

M - Tart, bubbly, champagne like feel to it. Carbonated. Very sour bretty, yeasty aftertaste. Finishes very smooth and clean, though.

Overall, I am really on the fence with this beer. I definitely have to say I enjoyed this beer more than many other Belgians I've had in the past, but I guess I am just disappointed because I was hoping for more a tart fruit fix. Still, an enjoyable enough bottle, and one I am glad to have tried. Sour, tart, bretty, yeasty fun, and definitely glad it doesn't have a weak abv like a lot of other lambics I've seen around. If it wasn't so damn expensive, I would probably try it again. Pick it up if you see it!

Mikkeller Spontanwildstrawberry ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 03:40:49 | More by mfnmbvp

SupremePie

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -2.4%

03-25-2013 02:59:47 | More by SupremePie

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

4/5  rDev +20.1%

02-26-2013 22:42:42 | More by CwrwAmByth

logicerror

California

4.25/5  rDev +27.6%

02-24-2013 05:51:35 | More by logicerror

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +30%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Cloudy golden-red-orange with a finger of frothy white head. Fades normal.

S - Wheat, lemon zest, strawberries, tart green fruit, funky yeast, sourness, barnyard funk, acidity, funky yeasts.

T - Sourness, sweet and tart strawberries, tart green fruits, lemon zest, wheat, funky barnyard flavors and yeast, acidity, lactic acid, oak, vanilla.

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

D - Very tart and acidic. The strawberries are a nice addition.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 04:44:03 | More by ngeunit1

rangerred

Tennessee

4.16/5  rDev +24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

375ml bottle into a tulip

Pours a deep clear light copper with just the faintest hint of pink. A one finger white head slowly fades to a ring around the sides of the glass and a thin layer of bubbles over the beer.

The aroma is extremely funky. Plenty of Brett along with hints of wood and a light fruityness with hints of strawberry. Some straw in there too along with some medicinal phenols.

Tons of tartness immediately in the taste with a healthy dose of funkyness. This is accompanied, however, by wonderful fresh picked strawberry sweetness that you can tell is definitely not from any artificial additives. There are some faint wood notes from the barrel aging but it is very understated. The tartness almost seems to increase after the beer is swallowed leading to a bit of astringency on the back of the throat although this gets less and less noticeable throughout the glass. The finish is a little sticky with lingering tartness.

Overall, it took me a little while to warm up to this beer but halfway through the glass I am loving it. The strawberry flavor is quite pleasant and fresh tasting and I love the tartness and funk. A nice lambic and one I'm glad I picked up.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 00:51:05 | More by rangerred

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.26/5  rDev +27.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

the sophistication and flawless execution of this gem must be lost somehow on the BA community. this beer is astoundingly well done. it pours a washed out looking wheat color with just a shade of pink to it and an inch or so of slowly fading white head. nothing miraculous there, but the nose is just amazing. its tart and sour as hell, bretty and lacto sour, but also sweet like candied strawberries, or those tiny little wild ones that grow in the summer that are no bigger than a pea, but have more flavor than those genetically derived grocery store versions by a long shot. its tantilizing and mouthwatering and unique. the flavor is even better than the nose, with the sourness taking an an almost fruit vinegar characteristic, and with the sweetness being present in the middle but not at all in the finish. the strawberry flavor is not fake at all, and is at the peak of ripeness. the sourness is really intense, and the malt profile is just right to make these two seemingly adversarial components fit like a glove. i like this a lot better than either the kriek or the framboos from this series (the only other two ive had), and really admire this for the creativity and the execution. the flavors are divine. mouthfeel too is great, super bright belgian carbonation with a lighter than medium body and a dry sour finish. theres a tad of caustic hospital taste in the finish too, but whatever, it works. i also appreciate a fruit lambic that isnt 4% abv, this higher test works well here. overall a one of a kind masterpiece that i think deserves more attention, and certainly a revisiting from the 40ish other BAs who gave this beer a score in the 70s, this thing is world class!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:29:50 | More by StonedTrippin

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Burnt orange, one finger off white head, minimal lacing.

S - Strawberries, brettanomyces, white grapes, hints of perfumy hops, sweet grains, buttered popcorn, bubblegum, and peach. Very complex.

T - Not as complex as the nose, but still very delicious. Tart strawberry, funky brett, vinous, sharp bitterness on the back end.

M - Medium body, moderate-low carbonation.

O - Very drinkable, great beer, great series, I have also tries the spontanframboos and really enjoyed it, can't wait to try the rest of the series.

10081205

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 00:11:57 | More by Rickythejeweler

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.51/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Strawberry aroma wafting after the pour, but then funk aroma. A little pink colour, surprising head, and lacey Unwashed clothes, feet like, that kind of funkiness. Thanks Jon.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 15:08:53 | More by northyorksammy

chippo33

Vermont

1.75/5  rDev -47.4%

12-21-2012 03:35:57 | More by chippo33

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up tonight at the COOP for a pricey $13... a guilty but expensive pleasure. Poured into my slim tulip, the brew glows a slightly hazed orange.. 1 finger white head leaves decent lacing.

Funky with a light strawberry note.. real fruit though.. a bit phenolic that makes me think bandaid.. some sulfur.. still pretty okay.

Flavor is better slightly.. fruity and acidic... plenty of lactic notes combine with fermented out fruit.. sorta briny... the fruit shines mid-palate for a moment and then moves back to the traditional lambic elements.. phenols show again on the finish as a sorta lingering bandaid note.

Body is light as expected... carbonation is spritzy.

Decent... but I don't appreciate the bandaid aroma/flavor too much, I know they show often in funky brews, but I thought they detract too much from the fruity elements.

4/3/3/3.5/3.5

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 05:39:10 | More by JohnGalt1

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

375ml bottle, best before May 2022. Wow, a decade from now, hard to quite fathom.

This beer pours a hazy medium orange-tinged amber hue, with two fingers of tightly billowing off-white head, which leaves a low ebbing berm of lace around the glass as it slowly fades away.

It smells of week-old, yet still rather sweet strawberries, languishing in the back of the fridge, with some mildly earthy barnyard funk, some bewildered pale malt, a subtle, more vegetal tartness, an echo of musty cheese, and tame leafy hops. The taste is sour strawberries, this time a bit more fresh in their bearing, mixed with some aged lemon juice, a continuing funky barnyard essence, meek grainy malt, some softly rendered barrel notes, and a very slight petrochemical nature.

The bubbles are a bit frizzy, but in a generally low-key manner, the body medium-light in weight, the acidity doing a lofty sort favour for us all, at the same time letting the smoothness off with nary a warning. It finishes off-dry, the malt kind of asserting itself for the first time, as the sourness, funk, and fruitiness maintain a steady holding pattern.

A surprisingly agreeable 'new' world wild ale (so the Danes are allowed to call it 'Lambic', eh?), the barrel treatment deft and understated, just enough to allow the base nature of the fruit to actually shine through. Well drinkable, and that's a metric shit-ton more of praise than I had been expecting to proffer for this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 07:17:54 | More by biboergosum

st9647v3

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +27.6%

12-05-2012 03:38:02 | More by st9647v3

Mamoswined

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -2.4%

11-25-2012 01:28:25 | More by Mamoswined