Brux Domesticated Wild Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Russian River brewpub.

Pours a hazy golden color, with a wispy, tight packed head. It doesnt last long but leaves plenty of lace behind. The aroma is pretty subdued with some brett barnyard, some bicuity malt and a bit of tartness. The taste is sour but in a much more restrained way than the other RR sour ales. Funkyness from the brett is less concentrated than I was expecting. The mouthfeel light bodied with a nice medium carbonation. The finish is minerally and tart with some leathery funk. Alcohol is incredibly well hidden throughout.

An excellent Wild Ale, but a little restrained. Some age will probably really open this up.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 22:47:02 | More by CAMRAhardliner

elNopalero

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked this one up in bottle form but I had the opportunity to try it on draught too. So it will be fun to compare my notes down the road.

This poured light, clear, golden and capped by a tremendous avalanche of cloudy white foam—but as it rested not a trace remained. The aroma has a whisper of Brett breath. Very muted, very nuanced, and it is not evident without really searching for it. Some floral notes complement it. The flavor is nicely rounded with some slight sweet notes and a floral finish.

This is exceptionally smooth and can only get better with some time.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2012 07:38:49 | More by elNopalero

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a footed glass.

A: Clearish, hazy, with little head.

S: Vague, boring Belgian yeast. Some funk.

T: Delicious! Huge waves of Brett with subtle, funky, fruit. Dry wheat, clean finish, lots of interesting flavors. Acidic without being sour. Tangy.

M: Full, rewarding, absolutely.

O: interesting beer. Recommend Belgian. Would have again, if not recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 04:36:19 | More by AgentMunky

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-07-19 in Santa Rosa, CA at the brew pub.

A - Semi-hazy amber with a 1-2 finger white head that fades fast.

S - Definite Brett yeasty-fruity aroma with a touch of hard lemon candy, light vanilla and pale malt.

T - Nice touch of malt then some tart white grape, there's a light grassy funk and very mild cinamon. Very beer-like flavor. Alcohol is hidden. Well balanced.

M - Light body and medium carbonation. A little effervescent. Dry.,

O - Really good. My youngest daughter liked it a LOT. It and Supplication were her two favorite brews today at the pub.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 20:13:07 | More by Tucquan

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.55/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Russian River brewery. Pours a super cloudy and hazy yellow with a very nice white head around 1" in size, damn good lace and retention to it, very small bubbles.

Mild aroma, chunky fresh brett, really needs more time to get any funk, its not here yet, none of that wet dog in a phonebooth thing going. Double edged sword, sometimes I likes it clean, sometimes dirty. Some mild citrus aspects to it.

Taste, well it hides the alcohol nice, but is, I dunno, kinda pedestrian. A little lemon and grass in there, but really nothing in the way of real good tart or funk development. A little resemblance to belgian yeast esters in the mouthfeel. Really the description of a domesticated wild ale goes a long way, this one is in a weird spot, its price is high, which is going to seem to keep potential converts away, and for those who are already into this kind of thing, I dunno how apeshit people will go for this. Is it good? Yes. But its not knock your socks off spend $15 a bottle good. Nonetheless, yes, I am still holding onto a bottle to see what happens down the road.

I'd recommend to try, but don't buy more than one until you know whether this is your thing. For me, just so many more enjoyable options from both breweries that are so much cheaper.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2012 18:36:00 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Sunhunters

California

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Serving Type - Draft at Russian River Brewery

Appearance (3.0) - Hazy orange liquid. Fairly clear while still a little cloudy. Thin head less than half a finger dissapates almost immediately, no lacing to speak of. Very thin ring of fine bubbles around glass. Haziness and color are pleasant while the rest is underwhelming.

Smell (3.0) - Not much going on here either. Faint smell carries whiffs of Belgian yeast, bread, apricot, and a hint of clove. Underpowered in my mind, but perhaps that's intentional. Wild yeast is unapparent.

Taste (4.5) - Here the beer begins to shine. Mild balanced flavor belies the 8.3% ABV. Pleasant notes of farmhouse, tart fruits - especially sour kiwi, light golden cherry, and faint tangerine. Yeasty breadiness throughout. Satisfying and refreshing, with a very smooth character that is quite nice. Good stuff.

Mouthfeel (4.5) - Another point for Brux, the mouthfeel is extremely pleasing. Creamy, round, medium bodied, this brew has balanced carbonation with a crisp, dry, mildly acidic finish. At the same time the feel is watery enough to prove very refreshing.

Overall (4.0) - An interesting and enjoyable beer, though not life- changing. Drinkable and refreshing, crisp and mildly tart, Brux is a smooth operator. It's drinking very well young.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2012 23:41:01 | More by Sunhunters

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

2.15/5  rDev -44%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Gold, solid gold color with big bubble dome head erupting from my initial pour. Wave tube shaped skim of retention.

Coppery wheat, mint aroma with a initial twang of sweet/sour brett. Brett smell fades after a few minutes in the glass.

Tastes very minty. Almost menthol. Dry, mint seltzer is pretty comparable. Not very bretty.

No sir, I don't like it. I dumped it, my wife dumped it: the dreaded double drainpour.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 22:30:59 | More by donkeyrunner

clayrock81

Virginia

3.81/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured a clearish brown-red with fizzy head due to intense carbonation on top of an aroma that one could describe as moderately funky or slightly sour with touch of bread malt. Has some sour/funky fruit appeal and touch of citric hops and the Brett is in there but not overpowering. Light-bodied and sharp, this beer will prickle the tastebuds the entire time. Good balance and mix of some citric, lemony hops, clove and pepper spices, sour apple and pear fruits as well as some minor sugary malt sweetness and a touch of breadiness as well. Unfortunately, as I progess with the beer the flavors seem to die out and give way to more of the funk and sour charateristics of the beer. A good beer but it became a chore to finish off the whole bomber.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 13:10:31 | More by clayrock81

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.76/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a hazy honey to apricot in color with some moderate to heavy amounts of visible carbonation and some light orange highlights. The beer has a two finger tall fizzy off-white head that quickly reduces to a couple of medium sized patches of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Overall there is a light aroma with notes of brett and barnyard funkiness. Just a touch of light fruits as well - white grape and pear.

T: Upfront there are light to moderate flavors of pale and slightly grainy malts with moderate amounts of light fruit (white grape, pear, and just a hint of peach). Light notes of brett funkiness towards the finish which gets a touch stronger as the beer warms. Light amounts of sourness with a touch of lemon citrus.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with heavy amounts of carbonation. Light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This was a very good beer but I was hoping for a little more tartness/sourness in this one (considering the Russian River portion of the collaboration). Easy to drink and the alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:59:16 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

3.86/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: The beer is hazy pale yellow in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high off white head that quickly died down, leaving only a thin Ayer of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of brett are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the taste, the taste has light flavors of barnyard funk and sourness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn't that bad but I was expecting more sourness from a wild ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:54:22 | More by metter98

richj1970

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from 750ml bottle

A: Pours a nice orange color with crazy bubbly white head that disappears almost immediately. Lots of bubbles that continued for quite some time. No lacing at all.

S: Some citrus mixed with earthy funk. Grassy notes mixed with a bit of sourness.

T: Light fruity flavors like lemon, raisin with a bit of tartness mixed with an underlying funk. Very dry and perhaps a bit bitter.

M: Extreme carbonation. This one bubbled almost all the way down. Reminded me a bit of champagne. Very dry finish, light and refreshing. Alcohol content is hidden well.

O: Very easy to drink, and very enjoyable, but was hoping for a bit more sour notes and complexity to flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 23:50:51 | More by richj1970

Auraan

Arizona

4.6/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a beautiful orange, with a two finger white head that quickly receded. Abundant bubbles rose through the orange. No lacing was left on the glass. Pretty, but would look a bit better if the head stuck around. Scents of barnyard funk, slight bubblegum and light floral notes. Flavors of brett funk and sour notes, Belgian yeast, some fruity notes, including apricot and golden raisin. A tiny bit of spices, I cannot tell what type. Finishes a bit dry with sour brett notes. Mouthfeel is light bodied, with high carbonation. Easy to drink, hiding it's ABV quite well. A good beer. Not near as sour as I expected, but very similar to a tripel with a bit of a brett funk to the beer that makes it a good time to drink. I'd have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 05:43:41 | More by Auraan

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - A very active mammoth two plus fingers worth of audibly fizzy crisp clean off-white colored head comprised of huge big chunky bubbles... Quickly receding head gives way to a surprisingly lush full forth... A cyclone of micro bubbled rapid paced carbonation... A couple larger carbonation bubbles cling to the sides of the glass... The color is a muted amber...

S - A light tartness... Pie crust... Apples... Pears... A bit musky... A bit funky... Some subtle floral notes... Light cantaloupe... Good depth and complexity...

T - Grassy notes... The fruity notes are quite subdued... The brett is quite subtle... A light spice component as well... Lots of heavy oak on the finish at lingers and lingers... Lots of nuanced complexity with each sip which helps to elevate the overall effect...

M - On the lighter side of medium bodied... Brisk sharp carbonation... The finish is sturdy and dry... Some wine like qualities...

D - A decent American Wild Ale... Easy drinking, but missing a lot of depth and complexity that I have come to expect from the sty... I could honestly take it or leave it... The bottle was easy enough to finish, but I'm not sure I would recommend...

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 02:09:09 | More by philbe311

mntlover

Tennessee

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a darker yellow color with some orange hints, a nice white head hat falls fairly quick to just a ring. No real lace left behind.

Aroma is tart fruits mingled with nice brett on some sweet malts light honey some hay notes. It is sweeter smelling then I would of imagined but very pleasant aroma.

Taste is is not as sweet as the nose tart fruits right away lots of lemon mingled with some lime. Good brett in the tart fruits, finish is lingering funk and tart notes with some spice clove and pepper mingled together. Its not a bad wild ale but not on par with something from Vinnie.

Mouthfeel is good for wild ale nice and nice boost of pep right before the finish. Light and crisp brew.

Overall this one is not bad just expected it to be better I guess defiantly worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:28:54 | More by mntlover

spoony

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From a 750 ml into a tulip.

A-The brew pours with a tall, three-finger head of soapy foam that drops pretty quickly. It is bright, light and golden in color. Mostly clear, with a decent display of carbonation.

S-I smell slightly tart apples, lemon curd and cheesy, funky brett up front. There is some cereal grain underneath.

T-Taste follows the smell. The brew isn't sour, but it has a little twang of acidity to go along with the funky, cheesy, barnyard brett and grainy malts.

M-The feel is light to medium bodied with an assertive carbonation that keeps things lively on the palate.

O-This is a decent if ho-hum brett beer. It is better than some (Mo Betta Brett, for example), but not a world-beating beer by any means. I could have gone for a little more sour/tart flavors, but that is probably just my taste. Brett fans could do worse than Brux.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 23:12:00 | More by spoony

Sterby

Pennsylvania

3.71/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle.
A - Golden yellow with little foam that dissipates quickly.
S- Tart fruit and oak
T- Light, dry, nice Brett character, but nothing complex or sophisticated. Pear and granny apple nuances with citrus zing.
M- Bubbly and effervescent
O- A nice, light crisp sour domesticated ale that is more worthy of the name than the actual taste. Does taste better after it has time to breath and warm up.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:09:48 | More by Sterby

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.09/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- clear shiny copper colored with streams of extremely tiny bubbles rising hurriedly upward. Despite this, the loose off-white foam quickly settles to a narrow ring with a continent in the middle that resembles Antarctica. No lacing, merely legs like wine.

S- highly phenolic and peppery aroma with tart fruity undertones from the brett. Very nice funky barnyard horse blanket with some of the structural barn wood thrown in as well. Orange, green apple, peach, plum and sour cherries, some grassy notes and mild grain.

T- spicy and mild with just enough brett to make things interesting. The tartness isn't forceful or bold at all though-- it sneaks in and sneaks out without making much noise perhaps because this bottle (I'm assuming) is only a few months old. The funky and fruity aromas carry over nicely to the flavor but trying to nail down actual fruit flavors is difficult due to the fleet footed brett. A generalized description of peach plum and cherries fits the bill, and bits of grassy herbal hops regulate the toasty and somewhat sweet, cartilagenous malt backbone. The finish is mostly phenolic and mildly tart, with suggestions of green peppercorns and Granny Smith apple peel.

MF- great refermented and yeasty feel with a soft powdery character and extremely plush carbonation. Tannic feel on the cheeks and somewhat numbing.

D- well hidden alcohol is an initial indicator of the craftsmanship that went into this beer but it still seems a little "green" and I feel it would benefit immensely from a couple years in the cellar. For the most part, it's a mild mannered creature and it's nature begets drinkability. This however is simply an evolutionary defense mechanism and the brux should be approached with caution when in its native environment.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 02:07:38 | More by hustlesworth

Ryan011235

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured into a Stone 15th Anniversary snifter on 4/3/13

Deep gold color with tangerine and honey highlights. It isn't entirely clear; there is but a faint layer of haziness. Bubble cling to the side of the glass as other rise and form a two and a half finger, porous head. The billowy foam isn't suited to tarry, becoming a smoothed, thin layer. No lace remains.

The aroma is a peppery blend of lemony soap and funk, tart apple, damp hay, prairie grass, pollen and such. It is reasonably bright and quite pleasant. As it opens up, a mustiness emerges, but does not crowd out the the more pleasing smells.

I'll admit being surprised at how peppery this tastes; lots of white pepper and a subtle herbal concoction to back it up. Lemon aplenty and notions of peach tea, grass, toasty grains and musty undertones. Hints of perfume and pollen dust on the back end. Each fresh pour has a soapy penchant that subsides over time.

I find the feel to be well-suited to the progression of the beer. That is, it's crisp and tight with carbonation earlier on, matching the peppery lemon zest. As the carbonation falls away and the body stills, it's suited to the slightly musty finish.

I've been waiting to try this one for a while. The reasons were two-fold; one being I wasn't chomping at the bit to pay $15 for this creation and the other being that there have been bottles sitting around for months. I had heard underwhelming things from several people. Knowing their tastes in beer, I figured I'd like this a lot. I figured right.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 03:38:36 | More by Ryan011235

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle: Poured a hazy bright golden color ale with a large white foamy head with good retention and some medium lacing notes. Aroma of dry Brett notes with light funky tart notes and some pear notes are also perceptible. Taste is a complex and refreshing mix between some light funky Brett notes with a solid Belgian malt backbone with some dry notes and very little residual sugar. Some pear ester and white wine notes are also perceptible. Body is full with great carbonation and no apparent alcohol. I really enjoy this beer with a great mix between complexities while retaining a good drinkability factor.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 20:36:15 | More by Phyl21ca

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

750 mL bottle poured into a pint glass.

Appearance - Golden orange. Big head that settles quickly to a continuous layer of foam. No lacing.

Smell - Extremely bretty. A little bit acidic. Earthy brett aroma. Slight apple aroma too.

Taste - Overpowered by brett. Sharp acidic flavor, but not sour. Slight fruity malt flavor comes through before an earthy brett takes over. Dry with a slight bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Very dry. Brett has made it feel light. High carbonation.

Overall - The second brett bomb of the evening. This one hasn't fared as well as Saison du Swamp. Many similarities, but this is too bretty.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 00:46:28 | More by Alieniloquium

Boneheadmx

California

4.26/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours out to a hazy orange-amber with a thick off-white colored head that subsides slowly.

The smell is fragrant and sweet, and I can detect hints of honey and fruit.

The flavor is slightly sweet and bready, just as how the smell hinted. There's a light citrusy bite that goes along well with the carbonation. The hops taste warm and blunt, and remains in the mouth for a subtle, lingering finish.

The mouthfeel is balanced, fairly watery but with a decent bit of carbonation that goes well with the citrusy bite of the flavor.

This is a very drinkable beer that's flavorful and smells great (which is really important to me).

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 00:31:30 | More by Boneheadmx

rainydays2020

New York

3.36/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into a tulip glass.

A- Hazy gold color with lots of white thin head

S- slight alcohol scent, grassy, slightly fruity

T- Very dry, Brett upfront, toasty, slightly fruity aftertaste

M- a bit light, somewhat slick, and heavily carbonated

I liked it (I'm a big fan of brett beers) but I should have saved this one in the basement. I think in a few years time the taste should improve (ideally the fruity character will increase) and the carbonation should decrease.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 20:59:31 | More by rainydays2020

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

3.66/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Bottle poured into a tulip glass

A. A light amber color with an off white head that disappeared pretty quickly.

S.Pretty light on the nose with just a bit of maltiness and a touch of sweetness.

T. The flavor is pretty light and starts with some sweet malt and has a slightly bitter finish.

M. Pretty thin on the mouth with a little carbonantion

O. It looks good, smells pretty good, but tastes pretty light.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:45:32 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

bashiba

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy orange with a big and creamy off white head, good carbonation running throughout.

Has a nice light musty nose with a touch of breadyness, not as bretty as I was expecting.

The flavor is very mild, just a light bit of bready sweetness along with a touch of musty old basement flavor a nice mixture of subtle brett goodness. There is just a touch of grassy hop bitterness in the finish.

The mouthfeel is light with a long dry finish.

Nice Brett forward beer, easy to drink and hides the strength quite well.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 20:00:16 | More by bashiba

robhbest

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into tulip

A: Transparent yellow with huge white head.

S: Cloves, Bananas, Citrus, Corn tortillas.

T: Bubbly on the front. Seltzer, cloves, Minerals however not metallic. Tartness on the backside. Little bitterness.

M: Bubbly, high carbonation. Medium to light bodied.

O: Pair this with salty cheese or fish. Interesting beer, enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 01:23:14 | More by robhbest