Sans Pagaie - The Bruery

JayAre46

Texas

2.4/5  rDev -41.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

750 ml poured into a snifter with a hazy pinkish orange color, reminds me of....oh just a little vomit, giving a thin white head that falls to nothing almost immediately without any type of linger. The nose is sour upfront with light sour cherries, lemony zest and a touch of something sweet in the back. The taste is just dominated by vinegar and an acidic presence that is just off putting. The beer needs more cherries and something else for balance. A thin layer of cherries, oak and lemon work against too much bacteria for sure (lactobasillus?) without any type of structure...now that I've had mother funker, oui oui and now this; I'm starting to gather a typical vinegar presence from the bruery wild stuff that is uninviting and narrow. There is a minimal amount of carbonation and the mouthfeel is medium with a very dry finish. Overall I wanted to like this beer but the truth is, is that's it's a terrible kriek and needs to go on home. A sour, acidic, vinegar, light cherried mess that looks like chunkless vomit. $20 are you fucking serious? I'd rather eat a bag of shit.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 22:08:53 | More by JayAre46

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.4/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Reddish pour, decent head, I new I was in trouble when it wasn't red enough.
Smell: Light cherries, vinegar, light funk
Taste: Light tart cherries, vinegar, slight funk, bit of oak. Needs more cherries
Mouthfeel: Very aggressive carbonation, makes it feel a bit light.
Overall: Not really that impressive, I was impressed with the apricot version and was hoping this would be its equal, alas it is not.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 18:30:57 | More by craytonic

kojevergas

California

3.4/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap and appealing label served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are pretty high; historically I haven't liked The Bruery but I've been realizing recently that their stouts and sours seem to be the exceptions to The Bruery's overcharging-for-garbage modus operandi. I'm a big sour fan, so I'm excited for this.

Served a bit warmer than refrigerator cold. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food.

A: Pours a one finger white colour head of fair cream, decent thickness, and above average retention - though the ABV is quite modest. Body colour is a dull muted orange-red. Maybe tangerine to get pretentious. Nontransparent and opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Sourness, bacteria, wild yeast, fermented fruit, fruit skin, light oak. I look for cherries but cannot find them; I just get vague fruit. Then again, me nose is broken. A moderately strong aroma, though it lacks the assertiveness and obvious acidity of most good sours I've had. No alcohol comes through.

T: Bright fruit and fruit skin merged with sourness and a light tart kick. Not sour enough nor tart enough to really satisfy me, but it's a pleasant beginner's sour I suppose. Some pale malts. An oak undertone. The finish has a resurgence of tart sourness accompanied by a luscious malty crispness that I quite fancy. I wish the entire body were as flavorful as the finish. No alcohol is detectable. The fruit is curious; it's not at all cherry - at least not in a kriek sense - but I'd hazard to allege that it's sort of peachy. What cherries were used? Unfortunately, it's worth noting that it's just a bit watery, which really wrecks the build. In spite of that transgression, I'd still call it a mostly balanced beer - albeit a somewhat muted one.

Mf: Smooth, wet, and a bit undercarbonated. Good thickness. Supports the flavours by not intruding, but it adds little to the beer.

Dr: A drinkable beginner's sour, but probably not worth its high pricetag. There are better sours from this brewery at around this price, and I'd see no need to get this one again. Not worth seeking out; its flaws ultimately make it a disappointment. Maybe I was wrong to start being so optimistic about The Bruery.

High B-

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 06:24:41 | More by kojevergas

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured in to Bruery tulip.

A - Light strawberry red with a big glow throughout. Small film of off white head that was scattered as large bubbles.

S - Sour and tart up front. Lots of oak. Some cherry aromas, but not as much as I expected.

T - A huge sourness up front with some funk and lots of oak. Tart cherry flavour adds a nice layer of complexity without taking over the beer.

M - Light body, moderate carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 16:04:51 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Bruery tulip. Nose has some bright cherry and shows some initial acidity. Flavor is quite tart with cherry and light skin. Light body; needs more carbonation. Sad to say, this is another disappointing Bruery sour after some others (particularly dark base sours) have shown so much promise.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 19:51:05 | More by Thorpe429

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750mL split. Thanks!

A: Ruby grapefruit with lively carbonation swarming the glass. Zero head.

N: Loads of cherries and ample oak. Some grapefruit, lemon and fresh leather. A little funk and some zesty pepper.

T: Oak, high levels of sourness and some chery. Strappings of leather. Grapefruit juice and lemon zest. If you wanted to point to the normal taste of a Bruery sour, this is it. Could use more fruit to differentiate.

M: Very lively. Light mouthfeel in keeping with the style.

O: A good beer that needs more fruit to distinguish itself.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 22:15:46 | More by writerLJBerg

ptykozoon

California

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Beautiful color, a translucent grapefruit pink with a ring around the glass.

Nose is fruit. Cherries, strawberry, a dash of lemon: these notes are all a bit sugarcoated and a tad artificial. There is also the funk element - which is quite unique, not a very belgian scent, quite unique and not entirely appreciated. All together not entirely balanced but interesting nonetheless. It's like it doesn't quite know what it wants to be, therefore a bit restrained, a bit muddled.

The cherries save this beer from being mediocre. All together a watery beer, but the sweet cherries along with the astringent tart are a combination that is hard to screw up. Quite good.

Watery, a higher ABV is a must for this one. Also could use some more complexity: a dash of vanilla or more personality from the oak.

For a young brewery to produce a sour at this level reveals great potential, I look forward to sampling sours from Rue & co. in a decade or so.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 04:24:14 | More by ptykozoon

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opened with a hiss and foamed over about 4 oz of beer before I got it into my glass. Pours a hazy amber orange color with a faint pink hue and a huge head that disappeared almost instantly. Smells of sweet malt and sour cherries with enough funk and sour tartness to keep me interested. The tartness pricks the tongue at first sip and never lets go. I get lots of lemon and tart cherry flavor and I swear I'm getting coconut as well. Earthy and fruity tart describe this one fairly well. The finish is quite dry with a long lingering tartness on the palette. Medium to thin body body with a moderate to high level of carbonation and a tart almost salty mouthfeel. This is a nice tart light beverage to drink, but it's not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 00:07:39 | More by johnnnniee

Treebs

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle served in a Deschutes tulip. Thanks to Andrew (nasty31) for sharing.

A: Pours a semi-cloudy grapefuit color with a thin white head forming on the pour. Ite recedes to a thin ring and leaves some small splochtes of lace behind.

S: Oaky with some tart cherries up front. Sour berry with a slight malty sweetness. Light grassy hops on the finish.

T: More sour than tart. Cherry skins with a litt green grape tartness. The finish is malty and sweet.

M: Light bodied with a nicely carbonated body and drying finish.

O: Nice drinkability and it was pretty balanced. Nothing was over powering, but that being said it wasn't anything spectacular either. Better than average, but nothing crazy.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 21:05:33 | More by Treebs

sweemzander

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750mL bottle poured into a tulip. Thanks Chris for sharing!

(A)- Pours a very cloudy/murky blush red color (looks like grapefruit juice). Some white froth formed.

(S)- A nice clean, albeit dry oaky profile with some crazy fresh berry fruits: strawberry, raspberry, and cherry; very vibrant.

(T)- Again, very clean (no funk). Tons of fresh fruit and a subtle dry oak. Very very subtle acidity.

(M)- A good carbonation level. A nice balance of acidic fruit and oak. A rather subtle sourness, but it is there.

(D)- Another solid wild ale from the Bruery. The sourness is subtle, but such a vibrant combo of fruits and dry oak that I almost did not miss it. Time might help the sourness to round out though.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 14:45:51 | More by sweemzander

claaark13

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a Hill Farmstead tulip at slightly under cellar temp.

A - Grapefruit color, slightly more red, with a white head that quickly falls apart.

S - Sour cherries, similar to a life saver candy. Some smoothness in the background to mellow the tartness.

T - A sourness that comes through and waters the mouth. Some cherries, lemon, and buttery finish. The finish is the lacking component here.

M - Lighter, crisp, pleasant feel.

O - Decent beer but the appearance and finish really take hits on this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 20:54:21 | More by claaark13

womencantsail

California

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Reserve Society Party 2012

Pours sort of a pinkish red color with a pink head. The aroma features plenty of cherry, but there does seem to be a mild butter aroma at first. A little bit carbonic (sort of a soda-water note). A bit of vanilla and wood, not quite as tart as I’d like. The flavor has plenty of cherry. A bit on the sweet side, sort of cherry pie-like. Some oak and vanilla are present on the palate as well, maybe a bit of grass. Not much in the way of funk.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 21:01:43 | More by womencantsail

kevanb

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a Bruery tulip glass.

This was a beer that I have had a few times since it's release, but was never really impressed by. Having heard some really positive things about how this was aging, I decided to give it a go and see if time has done this beer some favors. The beer pours a light pinkish red color, very clear with a few bubbles rising to the top. A very lively off white head appears momentarily, lots of large loosely packed bubbles, much like a soda, but is gone almost instantly leaving behind no trace of film or lacing. The aroma is pretty nice, heavy on the cherry, mild funk, a good amount of pie spicing and sweetness. It's simple, but to be expected of a Kriek style ale, the Cherry is a bit lighter than I was hoping for, a bit more reminiscent of sweeter canned preserved cherries rather than fresh tart whole cherries. The flavors are almost identical, more cherry than the nose and thankfully it's more tart than sweet. Additionally, there is a decent amount of pie spicing, light vinegar, and a bit of sweet biscuit malt at the finish. The body is nice and light, carbonation is a bit lower than I would have expected giving this a bit of a syrupy feeling.

Verdict: A decent Kriek style Ale from The Bruery, but I'm still not sold on this one. The flavors are almost there, but still come off too artificial and sweet and the syrupy body wasn't doing it for me. I applaud the effort and definitely enjoyed this beer, but it's by no means one of the better sour offerings from The Bruery.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 01:55:32 | More by kevanb

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip. Thanks to my Reserve Society trustee JRSD fo getting this out to me.

Sans Pagaie pours more of a deep orange than a true red, with a good bit of haze to it. A couple fingers of white foam crown the beer, showing little head retention and no lacing. The nose is excellent, led by a blend of earthy funk and cherry skins. A solid supporting tart aroma rounds out the picture. The flavor profile has far more acidity than I expected. It really takes over the beer and drowns out the cherries and brett. They're both still there (though definitely the former more than the latter), but this is a very different beer than the nose had suggested. The body is very light,and paired with an expansive, active carbonation. The mouthfeel is champagne-esque. Sans Pagaie is a bit aggressive for a beer that's just out of the gates, especially compared to some classic Belgian krieks. It's definitely not without its charms though.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 04:34:53 | More by axeman9182

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap @ Provisions

Appearance. Hazy peach-amber with a finger of thick white head that doesn't last long.

Smell. Some nice light cherry, fruits and melons, light sour funk.

Taste. Cherry, light fruits, melons and berries. Light sourness and a bit of funk.

Mouthfeel. Lighter body, medium fine and lively carbonation.

Overall. Nice light fruity sour.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2012 23:41:36 | More by Rutager

oline73

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a snifter.

Appearance: Pours a pink color with a golden hue. There is a layer of off white head that goes away completely.

Smell: This is a very tart one up front with a lot of cherry showing up. There is a hint of fruity vinegar along with a light funk. Just a bit sweet.

Taste: Lots of cherries here. The cherry note is very natural. I'm getting some funk along with a mild citrus sourness. The finish is quite sour with a lemon like quality.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Tons of cherry here. I enjoyed this beer overall. Not overly complex, but rather enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 21:46:54 | More by oline73

Phelps

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a wine glass.

Rose-orange, with a hint of haze. One inch of bubbles rises after a second and fizzles away just as quickly.

Funky nose. Tons of barnyard and hay stink, a little lemon, pear, vinegar and tart cherry.

In the front of the mouth, sweet and tart cherries make a good showing among hefty funk, lemon peel and pear syrup. Massive vinegar tartness swallows all that up during the swallow, but there's a lingering sweetness and spice that reminds of mulled cider. Good stuff.

Light, effervescent body. Moderate carbonation breaks the beer into a giant amount of fizz as it moves.

I like it. A bit too much to handle by myself -- I feel like I just pounded a glass of vinegar. But tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 23:19:38 | More by Phelps

warnerry

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from May 2012

A - Reddish-orange liquid with one finger of short-lived white head. Settles to a collar, but leaves no lacing.

S - Prominent cherry aroma that is bot sweet and tart. Moderate yeast funk. Aroma is more earthy than tart.

T - Nice tart beginning with a distinctive cherry presence. Middle has a nice earthy funk. A bit of lemon sourness. Actually quite tart. Pretty tasty, if a bit too assertive. The cherry seems to get a bit overshadowed.

M - Light, crisp mouthfeel with consistent tartness and a dry finish.

O - Not as refined as Filmishmish, but still pretty enjoyable sour from The Bruery.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 01:39:41 | More by warnerry

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle thanks to axeman9182. Poured into HF glass.

A- Pours a very hazy orange, yellowish, grapefruit red with a thin white bubbly head that quickly dissipates. Not too much carbonation, some spotty lacing that slowly fades.

S- Sour cherries, some light vinegar, oak. Fairly tart, but not overly sour.

T- Sour cherries followed by acetic vinegar and some light vanilla oak. Decent amount of sour acidity, but not overly so. Light cherry aftertaste with a little bit of vinegar that lingers.

M- Light, not much carbonation at all, easy to drink. A little bit too flat in opinion.

O- This was a decent sour, but it definitely wasn't anything that stood out compared to other sours such as Cantillons, HF, etc.. Definitely could have used more flavor (especially with the cherries), carbonation, etc.. Easy to drink, interesting to try, would recommend trying it- but I probably wouldn't spend $20 or go out of my way obtaining it.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 00:44:33 | More by jaasen64

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by drabmuh. Thanks Matt. Served in a Bruery tulip.

The beer is pinkish with a small head that recedes rapidly, leaving sparse lacing on the glass. The aroma offers pink grapefruit, wild yeast, pink lemonade. Smells fruity and sweet, with the addition of wild yeast. Sweet / tart citrus with a splash of lemonade. Alcohol well disguised. Medium bodied with a bit of a syrupy, sticky feel on the palate. Overall, this was solid.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 02:58:08 | More by Huhzubendah

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass from a 750ml bottle.

Beer pours a slightly light yet hazy ruby red grapefruit pink color. There are some darker amber hues to it as well from the haze. There is a thin head that build up from an aggressive pour. When it recedes it leaves a nice white ring around the edge of the glass.

Aroma of strong tart cherries. Some dry funk in there with some woody notes as well. The tartness seems fruity but with some vinegar lingering in there. There are nice tart lemony notes as well.

Taste starts off with some sweetness that quickly turns into intones tartness. Pixie sticks come to mind. Seriously though. Some vinegar notes on the background with more fruity tartness up front. some lemon notes and grapefruit with mild cherry sweetness and tartness. Pretty sour stuff. Refreshing and light with some medium carbonation. Finishes tart and dry with some funk notes intermingled in there. As it warms some more sweetness can be perceived.

Pretty good sour. Straight forward yet delicious.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 01:48:10 | More by JoEBoBpr

kawilliams81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Lost Abbey chalice.

A- pours a nice pink with a 2 finger large bubbled white head. Minimal lacing resides quickly.

S- big vinegar, green apples, and some light raspberries.

T- tart green apple and vinegar, and raspberries. Very much follows the nose.

M- light body and medium to high carbonation. Not as acidic or effervescent like many sours.

O- nice sour. 6/10 sour. Nice tartness balanced with slight raspberries and lower effervescence makes it easier to drink than many sours.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 00:00:07 | More by kawilliams81

beagle75

Iowa

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a half-pint chalice.

A: Slightly hazy, light orange-amber color with a continuous peripheral ring of fine white bubbles. Scant lacing remains on the glass.

S: Fruit and yeast, including some pronounced brettanomyces, are found to be in excellent balance. Little sourness is suggested here, which contrasts the actual flavor.

T: Begins very dry, with bread, baker's yeast, and assertive cherries that marry well with the tartness and high acidity. Faint vanilla is present in the middle as fruit fades somewhat. The finish is mild by comparison, where lactic acidity stands out the most but bitterness is absent.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, acidic on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: This respectable sour has vestiges of Russian River Supplication, particularly in its yeast and fruit qualities. While distinctly sour, it lacks the sharpness of that other beer. It is well-rounded overall, with late lactic tartness and lingering fruit combining for a strong finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 20:05:14 | More by beagle75

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bottle poured into taster - thanks pat

Pours a brilliant cherry red color with some pinkish hues. Thinner white head fades into spotty film with a few traces of lacing on the glass.

Lightly funky, fruit driven sourness in the nose with cherry and ripe cherry skins. Somewhat lactic, but not overpowering, pie crust and biscuit malts with a hint of vinegar.

Cherry-focused flavor profile with plenty of sour tones and cherry skins. Notes of cherry pie with a touch of sweetness and a thinner biscuit backbone. Tart and funky with oak and a dash of vanilla. Finishes sour and dry with lingering cherry.

Medium body, well carbonated, dry and bubbly on the tongue. Fairly straight forward, yet well crafted cherry pie sour. ::highfive:: Bruery.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 15:07:04 | More by xnicknj

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Tom for breaking out this bad boy
The beer pours a hazy pinkish with almost no head. The nose is sweet, tart and aromatic. The nose is slightly reminiscent of cherries and chlorine but there is so much sourness going on that it's just not distinct. The taste is sour with a great amount of fruit and yeast. Very tart, sour mouthfeel that has a lingering fruitiness. Very tasty beer that is worth trying if you're in the mood for a cherry sour.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 04:26:29 | More by ThePorterSorter