Funky E Star - Sauternes Wine Barrel Aged - Mikkeller ApS

jmgrub

California

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

01-06-2013 19:06:03 | More by jmgrub

RaulMondesi

California

3.69/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Raul was delivered this bad boi on the house because they were out of another brew - the chaos at The Playground, I tell ya, stand up folks.

Now, back to this hot n sassy thing. Wild, wild like Nev Campbell and Denise Richards in a pool wild. A lil faint, a lil subtle... but it sneaks up on you like a good girl should.

Holla.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 23:12:51 | More by RaulMondesi

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.94/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

mikkeller can simply do no wrong in my book. all these beers push the envelope, challenge me in some way, improve my palate, and make me appreciate the art that is experimental brewing. I should start by saying the psychedelic label of this beer had be tripped right out, I wish I could upload a picture to add, but I don't have the technological capabilities required to do so. the pour on this is mostly clear, light amber or dull copper in color, with several inches of big bubbled white head with okay retention. the nose on it is very complex. ive got the same wild ale yeast complex as the original brew, but add in some sweetness from the dessert wine barrels, its not tannic or acidic, but driven by the actual sweetness of the grape. the flavor is relatively grainy, medium toast on the barley malt, and some residual sugar. this is exacerbated by the barrel treatment, which adds additional sweetness, fruity must, and an old oak vibe. the wildness of the beer, that farmy funk its known for, is crowded out, or mellowed I should say, but all the sugar, but I am not complaining, I think it works wonderfully. it loses some carbonation pretty quickly, which hurts it in the feel category, and the medium body lacks some life. the aftertaste is glorious though, with the alcohol just starting to counter the sugars. its a really complicated beer, a novel idea, and one that keeps me paying high prices for, and seeking out all things by mikkeller. even if I don't always love it, I know its going to be fun!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 17:02:34 | More by StonedTrippin

wethorseblanket

California

4.16/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

375 ml green glass bottle labeled as a Belgian Wild Ale.

A; Pours clear amberish orange with lively carbonation yielding a 1/2-inch fine white head which fades to a thin cap leaving rings and sheet lace.

N: Fruits (peaches and apricots), honey, floral and funky notes. Oaky, with earthy mushroomy mustiness.

T: Fruity and funky with mild tannic oak acidic zest. Nutty and vinous with a mild sweetness.

M: Medium body and carbonation. Lingering fruity and dryness with oaky must finish.

O: Would have again. Layers of oak, funk and white grape contribute nicely.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 03:02:39 | More by wethorseblanket

Pdrufo

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-02-2013 00:43:51 | More by Pdrufo

SupremePie

Vermont

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

02-15-2013 17:09:44 | More by SupremePie

GRG1313

California

4/5  rDev +4.7%

02-13-2013 05:36:46 | More by GRG1313

bsuedekum

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

02-03-2013 23:53:05 | More by bsuedekum

chippo33

Vermont

2.75/5  rDev -28%

02-03-2013 03:19:06 | More by chippo33

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Copper-orange with a finger of frothy off-white head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet caramel malts, oak, sauternes, sour cherry, funky, dark fruits, vanilla, and a bit of booze.

T - Sweet caramel and dark caramel malts, sauternes, oak, vanilla, sour cherry, dark fruits, some acidity, funk, and a bit of booze.

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

D - Nice sour beer. The Sauternes barrel really adds some great character and complexity to the beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 07:03:27 | More by ngeunit1

arash1000

California

3/5  rDev -21.5%

01-23-2013 03:54:29 | More by arash1000

kojevergas

California

3.29/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

9.39% ABV confirmed. Cost was $14.00 for the 12.7 fl oz green glass bottle with standard pressure cap. Imported by the Shelton Bastards. Brewed and bottled at De Proef. Expectations are high; Mikkel is my favourite brewer, period. Served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live.

Note: I've never had Sauternes wine. I know nothing about wine.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger head of beige colour, great cream, very good thickness, and very good retention for the 9.39% ABV. Body colour is a semitransparent translucent pale auburn. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. A nice appearance, but there's nothing unique or special about it.

Sm: Acidic to the point of approaching vinegary. Sugary pale and biscuit malts. Light tart peach. Heavy lactic notes. Fermented sugars. Underlying slight caramelization. It's assertive. A bit of raisin. Intriguing and quality, though I don't know that I'd call it a great aroma per se. It's certainly funky. A moderate strength aroma. No alcohol is detectable.

T: Fermented sugars. Heavy funkiness. Traces of tart peach. Caramelized raisin (though that diction makes it sound better than it is). Pale malts. Light biscuit malt. Lactic yeast and even light brett yeast notes. It's interesting, with some emergent timid sweetness on the climax. I don't get hardly any wine; maybe some background white wine. Certainly no dessert wine notes. Balanced but surprisingly simple. The notes it does have are subtly gracefully executed, but it lacks the complexity I'd expect not only from Mikkel but from a posh wine barrel aged beer in general.

Mf: Crisp and clean. Smooth and wet to stay refreshing, yet lightly tingly and coarse in the second act to bring out the flavours. Excellent carbonation. Good palate presence.

Dr: Drinkable for the high ABV and enjoyable but far from excellent. I do like it, but it's overpriced. Not Mikkel's finest offering, but certainly not one of his worst. It will scratch the funkiness itch if it's seized you, but I wouldn't get this again. It's just not as impressive as it needs to be - or as I know Mikkel's beers can be.

B-

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:24:50 | More by kojevergas

bluesplit63

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +30.9%

01-13-2013 15:10:58 | More by bluesplit63

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Split a 12.7 oz bottle poured into a duvel glass

A: pours a slightly browned amber with a touch of ruby, hazy, no head or lacing to speak of.

S: this deffiantly smells alot more tart and funky then the chard barrel version. I get some sweetness along with some citrus notes, some tart funk and a touch of wine barrells, smells delicious.

T: this I very yummy... Some great tart Brett character along with some sweet and citrusy notes... This brew lacks that bitter earthy oak bite that the chard barrel version had, which is deffiantly a plus IMO, this versions is much more funky and well rounded.

M: medium bodied with low carbonation, nice and drinkable for the abv.

O: this is a pretty solid Belgian wild, great Brett character and balance going on here... Enjoyed it more then the chard barrel version, give this one a go if you are looking for something a little different and a whole lot funky.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:41:55 | More by PeterIngemi