Sans Pagaie - The Bruery

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

cosmicevan

New York

4.08/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Notes from a tasting on 12/6. Big thanks to blake for the share.

Enjoyed from a bruery sniftery tulip.

murky orange pink with thin foamy white head and spotty streaky lacing. smells awesome. tart and fruity. tastes funky and sweet and fruity. a little watery tropical fruit. watery and prickly at the same time. overall nice, not mind blowing, but REALLY good.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:07:44 | More by cosmicevan

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

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

jsanford

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy watermelon-pink with a dense white head that settles to a thin cap and solid ring, with a few spots of bubbles. Funky cherry and cherry pie, lemon juice, and some nice funk. The Bruery's funky beers are becoming more and more recognizable, and very delicious. Great cherry flavors, like tart pie cherries, with oak, brown sugar, tart lemon juice, and more funk. Light and crisp mouthfeel, with a medium-thin body, good carbonation, and a dry, puckering finish. Another solid Sour from the Bruery!

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:46:04 | More by jsanford

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.08/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this one in my most recent trade with MCorrea... Thanks a bunch Matt!! Shared tonight with Buckeyeboy... Poured into my slim tulip, a very short lasting white head dies instantaneously.. The brew is hazed light orange with I swear a pink tinge.

Nicely funky... musky... plenty of cherry presence... almost a maraschino element.. lactic and mildly acetic..

Flavor is awesome.. lemon juice and and great cherry essence.. almost like a sour fermented cherry pie... yep, there is even some light malty notes that add a sweetness that ties everything together.

Surprisingly full body for a 5.8% brew.. carbonation is a little light... Very yummy.

3.5/4/4/4/4.5

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 05:17:40 | More by JohnGalt1

billab914

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into my Lost Abbey stemware. Light pink, in color with a thin fizzy head to it. The head faded away rather quickly, but I really liked the color.

The aroma has a very nice sour cherry presence to it. It's got some sharp, tart, moderately acidic notes along with some must and funk to it as well. Really nice aroma overall, the cherries compliment it very well and I really like the bold sour, funky and tart flavors.

The taste shows even more of the cherries, which I'm loving. They show more of the sweeter fruitiness up front, while in the finish the tart sourness really comes out. It's a little sharp up front at first but the finish really dries out and leaves a lingering sour, tartness.

The mouthfeel is light with carbonation feeling towards the lower end of the style. Overall, I thought it was a great beer and one of the best American sours I've had in a while. Admittedly, I'm a huge fan of cherries in anything but I really thought the fresh, fruity, tart cherries were fantastic in it. I thought it was one of the best cherry infused beers I've had and also a very solid American wild ale. Very enjoyable beer overall, and probably my favorite Bruery wild ale so far.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 23:58:28 | More by billab914

dfillius

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass
A: Moderate Pour yields 1/3 finger fizzy chalk white head with poor retention. More head would be nice. Hazy strawberry blonde liquid.
S: Cherry, tart lactic aroma, slight clover honey. Not terribly dynamic but strong for what is there.
T: Tart and yeasty. Tart cherry, lemon juice. What I wish New Glarus Belgian Red would be like - less sweet/cough syrupy. This is not cloying, though does have a pleasant bit of sweetness.
M: Nice and lactic, yeast is hearty, yet yields to the tartness. Puckering lemon juice/atomic warhead character. Me gusta mucho.
O: Quite refreshing. I would love to have another and would by again (or in the first place - thanks warnerry for sharing!)

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 18:48:36 | More by dfillius

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

dhbiker0889

Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a pink, almost grapefruit color. Fairly cloudy with little head and pretty much no lacing.

S- Sweet and sour. Can really smell the cherries with a slight hint of vanilla and strawberry.

T- Follows the nose closely. Very sour upfront and can definatly taste the cherry. A little bit of funk and a trace of oak. Overall very delicious.

M- Quite a bit of carbonation but it really adds to this beer. The body is not very heavy at all.

O- Very delicous beer. Simple flavors the work very well together. Would definitely like to try it again

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 20:15:27 | More by dhbiker0889

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml
Poured into a Pinocchio's tulip

A: Pours out a blush pink color. Even without the yeast in there, it's fairly cloudy/hazy. Initially a faint line of bright white head. This fades into nothing really quickly. No lacing left on the glass.

S: Smells of sharp tart sourness. Lactic acid. Nice cherry character is there. Some vanilla. Then the tart green apple and a touch of vinegar.

T: Tart acidic bite on the tip of the tongue. Then you get some nice cherry character in the medium of the mouth. Not that medicinal cherry, but natural fruitiness. Definitely getting some barrel hints with touches of vanilla. The close is fairly puckering and dry. This is a really well done beer, kriek in style.

M: This is a BIG light leading to medium bodied. It's a very round mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 18:32:42 | More by inlimbo77

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

MasterSki

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Jason for sharing this one. Served in a Hill Farmstead glass.

A - Bone white foam quickly settles to a partial collar. Hazed salmon pink body.

S - Cherries, vanilla, lactic sourness, light funky tropical fruits. There's a nice lemon tart vibe with cherries on top vibe going on. No alcohol, nor would you expect any at 5.8%.

T - Again, it's a nice mix of lactic sourness, pie crust malts, sweet ripe cherries, vanilla, and a slightly seltzery and carbonic finish. Not quite as good as the aroma, but still pretty enjoyable.

M - Good heft for 6% - definitely medium-bodied. Pleasant carbonation, moderate acidity, and a dry and tannic finish. Quite easy to drink..

D - This is quite nice - definitely one of the Bruery's best sours. Nice mix of tropical fruit juice, lemon tarts, and cherry pie. I'd gladly have this again, and I probably could drink an entire bottle of this one on my own.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 20:35:54 | More by MasterSki

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

mdaschaf

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks for the trade on this Jay.

A: Pours a hazy pink/grapefruit juice color with a very small head that quickly dissipates to a thin ring on top. No lacing.

S: Nice cherry aroma with a little bit of funk and sharp sourness. The cherry aroma is a bit sweeter than more krieks. Slight oak/woody aroma as well.

T: Whoa, this one has some tartness going on. Nice cherry flavor upfront, again a bit lighter and sweeter compared to most krieks, but I am liking it. Some faint oak and vanilla.

M: Medium to light bodied with nice carbonation.

O: A very solid wild ale, definitely a fan and would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 21:39:21 | More by mdaschaf

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.38/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into a decanter and decanted into a Hill Farmstead flute. Shared with schen9303.

Thin spritz of a head dissipates quickly into nothing. No lace. Beer is a cloudy, pink peach. Great color but not much else.

Nose is surprisingly funky. Cherries are very upfront with notes of wood, plastic, a mild tartness, and fruit punch. Brett funk with a light cheesiness too. Moderately aromatic. Solid.

Taste is really spot on. Opens cherry tartness with some Brett funkiness floating in the back. Fruit sweetness floats in and out as this one warms in the mouth with a creeping tartness that peaks right at the end. Some cherry pit bitterness in the end and finishes with more fruit sourness in the aftertaste. Really good.

Light bodied with plenty of bubbles. Spritzy and aggressive in the mouth and dry and puckering going down. Messy finish with a lingering aftertaste. Perfect for the style.

A really oustandingly done AWA. This is one of the best of the style to come from the Bruery without question.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 00:58:57 | More by SpeedwayJim

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

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

ehammond1

California

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2012)

The Bruery Provisions
Orange, CA

Glowing, light cherry color with a small light khaki colored head that doesn't stay for long, eventually leaving irregular dots and spots of lace down the glass.

Pleasant aroma of sour cherries, mild funk, oak, some floral notes, along with good amount of stinging sourness. There are significantly better smelling krieks, but this was one smells just fine.

Bright cherries marry extraordinarily well with a moderate level of biting sourness, mild funk, definite oak, and some grass. Complete, and incredibly drinkable.

Medium bodied with low-moderate carobnation. It could use more bubbles, truthfully.

I love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 01:43:43 | More by ehammond1

russwbeck

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Part of my Reserve Society allocation.

A: Blood orange to grapefruit in color. Hues that vary from pink to yellow. A finger or so of white head builds up on the second glass, but not the first. A decent amount of sediment lasts at the bottom of the bottle.

S: Fruity, but very tart aroma. Vinegar and cherries certainly with hints of funk. Almost like a cherry pie, with some breadiness and almost cinnamon qualities. Sweet and tart.

T: The tartness just keeps on coming, and I love it. Subtle cherries, big funk, underlying blond ale, and a balancing sweetness. Really a nicely concocted sour ale. One of the better American Wilds I can remember having. The cherries are integrated very well and the level of sour is perfect.

MF: Light body with a perfect level of carbonation. It's so balanced the drinkability is perfect. Aftertaste of tartness and lingering bitterness keep you coming back for more.

O: One of the better American Wilds on the market. Huge props to the Bruery. So glad I have two more bottles of it. I would recommend this to anyone. Between this and Filmishmish I have to say they've knocked it out of the park.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 03:59:47 | More by russwbeck

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to egrace for sharing this bottle. thanks elliot!

poured into tulip glass.

reviewed 8/14/12.

Appearance: light red bodied beer with no head.

Smell: cherries, mild vinegar, lemon, oak and funk.

Taste: Big cherries mix with lemons for a moderate tartness. Nice oak notes and a touch of earthiness. Mild lingering tartness in the finish that is great!

Mouthfeel: light bodied beer with moderate carbonation.

Overall: This is another great bruery beer. I enjoyed this beer way more than oude tart!

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 17:25:54 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

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

Duff27

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Short white head on a murky light ruby red/grapefruit body. No head retention or lacing...no too appetizing looking.

Grapefruit/cherries scent. Smells like I'm gonna die from the sourness.

Starts sour, finishes cherry sweet...great ending. Tart throughout. Major yum factor.

Medium mouthfeel, highly carbonated.

Highly drinkable, just kept wanting to drink this in large proportions. We all thought this was better than Oude Tart. Thanks egrace84 for the Bruery share.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 02:35:01 | More by Duff27

mdfb79

New York

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 08/03/12 notes. Got via the Reserve Society, shared with some friends.

a - Pours a murky reddish orange color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of spice, sour dark fruits, tart cherries, oak, light vanilla, light grapefruit. Very nice nose; tons of sour cherries and dark fruits, which I love. The spice makes it seem a little Belgian like.

t - Tastes of spice, tart cherries, sour dark fruits, vinegar, oak, some vanilla. Acidic and some vinegar, but still not too sour. Very nice.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Little bit acidic, but nice body.

o - Overall I liked this one quite a bit; probably one of the better Bruery sours I've had. While it is pretty sour, luckily it is not overly sour like Mother Funker, and finds a nice level of tart cherries and sourness. The nose is great, and I'm very glad to have a few more bottles of this one. Curious to see if it gets funkier over time like Filmishmish has become.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 15:49:25 | More by mdfb79