Ovila Quad - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

monkbrewed

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is a beer than has a sincere character yet lacks the substantive mouthfeel of the more sophisticated beers. Immediately hits with fruity and sweet flavors, yet lacks a significant melding of components. Roasty maltiness with slight hints of chocolate never develop. It is truly an American beer. No hop profile present which is surprising for ANYTHING Sierra Nevada makes. You won't be disappointed with this beer, however you might be let down. Does this make sense? Drink it and it will.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 06:35:46 | More by monkbrewed

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-dark red brown color with a nice off-white head and some lacing

S-caramel, fruit, malt, slightly spicy

T-dark fruit, caramel, sweet malt, slightly bready, hint of spice, alcohol slightly noticeable

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth

O-a decent Quad but not among my favorites

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 21:52:32 | More by MDDMD

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Khaki head with moderate retention. Mahogany body. Aroma includes raisins and dates, old dark fruit and a touch of alcohol vapor. Taste includes caramel malt, brown sugar, dates, raisins and a bit of molasses. Very nice interpretation of the style for an American version but what else would you expect from Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 02:54:42 | More by KickbacksSteve

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a dark brown with a smaller tan head. Head is not frothy; it is more of a collaboration of individual bubbles. Minimal lacing.

S-Sweet and deep. Rich aroma. Figgy and raisiny. Plums and light spice. Yeasty. Light chocolate and brown sugar/molasses. Alcohol is fairly well masked.

T-Booze is hidden well. Does not taste like it is holding nearly 11% alcohol. Rich sweetness. Flavorful. Dried dark fruits and Belgian yeast. Spiced and sugary. Chocolate is very light. Does not have a single component of the flavor that really excites me, but in unison it tastes pretty good.

M-Lighter than I would expect from an 10.4% brew. Still rich and syrupy. Big bodied nonetheless, just not super-big. Mellow carbonation. Dry.

O/D-Overall, a good Quad. It isn't my favorite style, and this one is not stellar, but its tasty enough. I enjoyed the glass and it was quite potent.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 22:24:17 | More by VelvetExtract

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown and opaque with plum/mahogany edges and a two finger light beige head that slowly settles into a lasting ring. Streaks of soapy lacing left behind.

spicy, vinous aroma with lots of estery dark fruit notes and slightly roasted malt.  Slightly medicinal with hints of pepper, plum, raisin, dark cherry and other berries.  Faint caramel malt.

Medium bodied and fuller than expected with a nice balance of zesty spice, sweet and dark fruit and slightly roasted malt. Hints of pepper and clove followed by sweet vinous fruit especially grape, plum, raisin and dark cherry.  More prominent malt character than expected with some caramel, toffee and chocolate.  Subtle alcohol and rye spiciness in finish. Well balanced wih an excellently masked Abv making it deceptively drinkable.  Realy nice.  Wasn't into the dubble but this was very good.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2012 19:42:35 | More by corby112

Phelps

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a tall taster glass at Tops.

Dark cherry-caramel in color, mostly clear. Half a finger of fuzzy tan head dissipates to a ring after a minute.

In the aroma, a base of sweet dates, figs and a little banana has been lightly spiced with maple, cinnamon and brown sugar. Some toasted wheat is in there as well. Not intense, but smooth.

The flavor is much more raisiny and toasty-bitter. Some alcohol; a little cinnamon; the lightest hints of strawberry and banana. Not much depth.

Light, pinching carbonation. The velvety medium body is nice and creamy. Some booze comes through the nose.

It's okay. Drinkable, but without complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 21:37:06 | More by Phelps

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a deep ruby/mahogany color with about a fingers worth of head that quickly fizzles down to nothing

S: Grapes, some light fig, prune and raisin with a light booziness to it

T: Starts with with a nice Belgian candy sugar sweetness with dark fruits, mainly grapes with a nice light but announced booze sting. Some nuances of figs and plums, light raisin. Not a lot of residual sweetness and sugar which is what I find in a lot of AMerican versions.

M: Full bodied, not overly sweet on this Quad and that is what I dig. Good carbonation, good flavor left on the palate

O: Very good, rather easy to drink for a Quad

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 00:47:41 | More by barleywinefiend

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a dark mahogany/cherry color with a disappointing head that's off-white in color, even, but not thick and creamy like I would expect from a Quad.

S - Toasted bread crust and caramel malt, dark Belgian candy sugar, mild roasted nuttiness.

T - Taste is faded and seems to be a former shell of a Quad. Sweet caramel candy malt, cherries, mild alcohol, nutty, and raisons - there's also a mild spiciness to this beer which adds a nice touch. There's a slight touch of booziness to this beer as well,present, but not overwhelming in any way.

M - Medium thin body and mellow on the tongue.

O - Decent but I'm sure this was far better when in it's prime.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 02:14:00 | More by jzeilinger

beertunes

Washington

3/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in Tulip. Poured a clean, clear, barely translucent brown that had a slight reddish tint. There was about 3/4 inch of dark tan head that had OK retention and very light lace.

The aroma was mostly malts, just a trace of the expected yeast and stone fruit flavors that typify the style. On the tongue, those good malts were again the headliner, with some cherry/plum flavors showing through as well. There was however a distractingly strong alcohol flavor. Generally, this style hides the alcohol very well.

The body was good, fairly typical, full and smooth and had a lingering alcohol finish. Drinkability was good, for a big beer, as I usually find Quads to be. Overall, a pretty good, but not outstanding, example of the style. Worth trying if you see it, not really worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2012 00:57:42 | More by beertunes

williamjbauer

West Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap served in a sampler 4 oz glass

A - Dark mahogany brown with a one finger tan head with minimal lacing and moderate head retention

S - Smells of dark fruits, caramel malts

T - Figs, raisins, plums, with caramel sweetness, just not as rich as I'd hope. A nice smooth finish with decent alcohol taste.

M - Medium body, and moderate carbonation

O - I had big expectation and felt like this was a really average beer. I'll try it again just to confirm my suspicions.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 17:29:20 | More by williamjbauer

AMiz602

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is about the closest thing to a Belgian Trappist as you will get from America. It is a wonderful deep dark brew with a very heavy, creamy head. It looks more like an imperial stout than a Trappist though, as it is more black that a deep brown like its European cousins. It smells strongly of caramel and chocolate malts. It is a medium carbonated beer.

Taste wise it is very light, with a roasted malt, caramel-sweet beginning, with a strong alcohol aftertaste, but pleasant. A little nutty flavor pokes through. It is punctuated as it warms up and the sweetness declines a little bit and gives way to a creamy, roasty malt flavor. The hops in the beer are almost tasteless. It is a heavy feeling beer, and is a great way to end ones night on.

This is very similar to the "lesser Trappists" like Achel, and is very comparable to that beer itself.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 02:27:27 | More by AMiz602

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.55/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap and served in a chalice, the beer is a deep, dark, ruby-hued brown coloring with a thin, sparse film covering that is white and clingy along the glass. Aromas are roasted and darkly sweet, with notes of dates and fig, along with the toffee sweet malt. Flavors are bold and rich, although on a slightly thinner body than expected. Orange rind sweet highlights along with the dat sweetness and some roasted apple characteristics. Slight spicing from the yeast throughout. The aftertaste is mostly the malty sweet and a slight touch of the fruity notes, with a fairly clean, subtle finish. Decent brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 17:12:12 | More by GarthDanielson

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.45/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Ovila Quad, on tap at Good Beer.

Appearance: Served in a 0.25-l chalice with a gold rim, the Quad comes with one finger of head that dies soon, leaving a rim and a mantle.

Smell: Quite subdued, with smooth dark-fruit, cherry and some toffee at the end. Yeast, glue, honey. Spice.

Taste: More of the same, with a bitter bite at the end.
Brown sugar, hard caramel. Spice around the edges. Raisin juice concentrate, smashed prune.

Mouthfeel: As with all the Ovila, a little thin and unremarkable but “OK”. Medium-low body, medium flavor, low carbonation. Could use a kick and an upgrade.

Overall: What’s the booze here? And where? Pretty damn drinkable for such a big brew. Not the best, for sure, but it does the trick. At least it’s not horribly sweet and boozy like many American quads… and always the good Ovila cause, which I support.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 00:14:47 | More by DoubleSimcoe

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3.43/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The appearance is dark brown with hardly any head. It smells lightly of fermented dark fruits and alcohol.

Taste is similar to the smell... a mash-up of fermenting fruits with alcohol, similar to a good portion of wines, not sweet.

Feels almost creamy, carbonation is light with very tiny bubbles.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 22:28:32 | More by Doppelbockulus

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I couldn't resist trying a glass of this when one of my local bars had it on the tap list, even though I have avoided buying a bottle so far. The body is brown with cherry and ruby highlights in it. The tan head is thin, but solid looking. The retention is fairly good, but there isn't a ton of lacing.

The nose has layers of rich malt and dark fruit.

Sierra Nevada's Ovila Quad has a ton of dark fruit flavor that is balanced by a lot of malt. Figs, plums, dates and dark cherries all come together, woven into a background of rich caramel sweetness. Just a hint of phenolic flavor floats around the outside, but it is definitely understated. The finish has a bit of warmth to it.

The mouthfeel is well done, being about where the style should be for both body and carbonation.

I love Sierra Nevada, but I haven't loved any of their Ovila offerings yet. With that said, each beer has been well-made and true to style. I think the quad may be my favorite so far.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 00:50:01 | More by Hojaminbag

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

10 oz draft, poured into a tall snifter at Cobblestone’s, York PA on Sunday, January 8th 2012.

Notes taken at bar.

Pours a big thick one finger head, which slowly reduces to a thin cap.
Very deep, dark brown/amber color.

Big huge aroma of wild Belgium yeast and candied malt. Could be a little more complex but what’s here is very enjoyable.

Very crisp and highly carbonated entry on the palate, followed by yeast, then rich chocolately candied malt. Delicious! Wonderfully balanced by the crisp acidity and champagne like carbonation.

Long finish of yeast and candied chocolate malt.

Wow! Never saw this one coming from SN. A very good Quad. Flat out delicious and a good example of the style. The 10% ABV is not even remotely noticeable. Needs to warm up to 50-55 degrees then everything really opens up.
Highly Recommended!, at least on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2012 00:07:14 | More by JTSbeerislife

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's.

The beer pours a fairly dark, ice tea brown color with good head retention and a decent amount of lacing. The nose is indeed reminiscent of a Beglian quad, showcasing brown sugar, sweet ice tea, light cherry and a hint of ginger. The flavor profile replicates the nose almost exactly in this fairly sweet beer, though I thought the mouthfeel a bit thin for the style and abv.

This is a tasty beer, no doubt, but as others have mentioned, the flavor profile is kind of simple and one dimensional. It's tasty enough, but I doubt I'd order it over an actual Belgian quad, unless it was a lot, lot cheaper (which I suspect, is unlikely).

... let the beer warm up a bit (the beer was pretty cold when I first got it), and it really didn't help. Oh well...

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2012 21:33:36 | More by johnmichaelsen

BucannonXC5

California

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a draft into a goblet at the San Diego Brewing Company. Color was black with a tint of brown. About an inch of head. Nice lacing on the top. Surprisingly light amount of film on the sides.

Smelled caramel, chocolate and toffee malts. Dark fruits like cherry and plum, too.

The first thing I noticed about the taste was how smooth it was. It was similar to the nose with caramel, chocolate and toffee malts leading the way, but I didn’t get as much cherry/plum as the whiff.

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth finish.

It was a good beer to end the day with. The smoothness was the best part of this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 06:06:24 | More by BucannonXC5

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Liberty in Charlotte. Pours dark amber-red with a thin off-white head. Aroma is of port, dark fruit, sherry and hints of alcohol. Medium, smooth, body. Taste is of Belgium yeast, brown sugar, dark fruit and alcohol. Long peppery finish. Not my favorite Quad.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2012 17:02:20 | More by mikeg67

Hut

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A- deep brown, clear (not murky) tiny head, quickly dissipated - no lacing.

S- not as complex as expected. Some dark fruit, but not much discernable

M- nice, medium body.

T- a little carmel (not overly sweet, though) plum was more pronounced when it was colder; apple came out as it warmed. Alcohol was present, but not pronounced in the finish (and no discernable warming, per se). It had the typical Sierra Nevada hop presence at the finish - a benefit for some, but not for Belgian purists. Overall, the flavors weren't as distinguishable as I'd hoped.

Good beer, but not great.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 02:55:24 | More by Hut

oline73

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I tried this on-tap at Max's. Served in a tasting glass.

Appearance: Pours a dark mahogany with a layer of fluffy off white head that fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Lots of banana up front with some sweet caramel malt showing up as well. The smell of this one reminds me a bit of bananas foster.

Taste: Follows closely from the smell. Sweet malt with some caramel, dark fruit, and banana. The alcohol in the finish is a bit hot.

Mouthfeel: The body is on the thick side and a bit syrupy. There is a lot of carbonation and the finish is dry.

Overall: This was a good beer. The alcohol in the finish might calm down with some age. I definitely enjoyed the banana notes.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 22:49:10 | More by oline73

merc7186

New York

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at Crabapples in Cheektowaga NY in a pint glass.

A: (I will admit this tap was under carbonated) Dark Brown Reddish Hue, Passes No Light, No Head, No Lacing

S: Dark Fruit, Raisins, Caramel, Toffee

T: Dark Fruit, Raisins, Mild Caramel

M: Poor Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Sweet

Overall, my beer was under carbonated but not the fault of the brewer. A good quad that wasnt boozy.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2011 03:56:34 | More by merc7186

mdfb79

New York

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 12/17/11 notes. Had on tap at Rustico in Ballston, VA.

a - Pours a dark mahogany brown color with one inch of light tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of cherries, oak, sherry, dark fruits, and bready malts. Lots of cherries, very nice.

t - Tastes of cherries, sweet dark fruits, oak, sherry, alcohol, bready malts, and toasted malts. Taste is quite sweet, and a little more alcohol comes out than in the nose. A tiny step down.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall this is a pretty nice quad. Loads of cherries and sweet dark fruits in the nose and taste. A beer I'd have again, and probably my favorite of the "Ovila" beers SN has done so far.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 17:38:26 | More by mdfb79

mithrascruor

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Callahan's, San Diego.

Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. The head is a creamy tan color, but dissipates after a minute. Mild, but rich, aroma with dark malts, dark fruit, and sugar. The taste is similar, but with less of the fruits. (I couldn't really tell what the fruits were anyhow.) The sugars get a bit stronger towards the finish, and it finishes with a bit of sweet cream in the flavor. Smooth and fairly light-bodied, with a good amount of prickly carbonation. The 10.4% ABV wasn't apparent at all.

A solid and enjoyable American-brewed quad. Not very complex, but still pleasing, and there's a few unique aspects to the taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 20:59:13 | More by mithrascruor

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

It's not often I get an urge to spend $15-20 on a bottle of Sierra, so I was glad to see this on tap so I could copt a sampling before it disappears. Poured a mahogany brown color with a small cap of off-white head that retained as a ringlet. Aroma of sweet malts, caramel, dried fruits. Taste of caramel malts, brown sugar, raisins, organic, with an apparent yeastiness, and an obvious hit of alcohol up front that mellowed out decently by mid-palate. Medium body, pretty smooth once you get past the initial alcohol bite. Not the best quad you'll ever have, but still pretty good overall.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 12:11:15 | More by Rifugium