Old Growth - Trinity Brewing Company

hayesez

Indiana

2.03/5  rDev -42%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Received this guy about half a year ago from br3wmeister. I have been excited to try this ever since I got it, but for some reason have continued to wait for just the right moment...with no idea what that moment might be. I had heard this one was sour (and I love sour wilds), so I was pretty excited to crack this one open tonight. My older son (4 years) recently asked "why are there Truffula trees on that beer?" So tonight we read the Lorax before bed, and my wife and I decided this was as good of a reason as any to bust open the Old Growth.

Split between two tulips, we poured about half of the bottle. Even dumping this straight into the glass, I could only produce bubbles from the turbulence of the pour. Virtually no carbonation at all. Looks like a dark iced tea, but has a purplish hue. There are a handful of BB sized bubbles around the edge, but again, this isn't from any kind of carbonation. Zero lacing of any kind. This isn't really a good start...

Definite fruitiness as well as a strong acetic aroma. My wife commented that this beer smells more like vinegar than any she has ever tried. I agree. There is definitely a tart smell that has an odd combination with a dusty, earthy aroma. I'm having a bit of trouble identifying exactly what is going on in there, but I'm guessing that it isn't the sweet smell of fresh butterfly milk.

This beer is absolutely dominated by sour. And not the "good kind of sour" that you'd find in a 100% Kriek or something. I'm talking about an extremely acetic, enamel destroying sour. As I mentioned before, I do like sour beers - but the vinegaresque oversoured gluppity-glup is just too much. You can pick up on the cherries in there, but they are really just running in the background. We capped the remaining beer and put it back in the fridge...we have a few BA friends coming over tomorrow night - we'll "share" it with them.

The lack of carbonation is definitely a detracting factor of the beer. Almost a slick viscous fluid, I'm guessing this isn't what the brewers had intended. I'm really struggling with this one as the drinkability is extremely low. I don't think I'll be giving this one another shot any time soon...

UNLESS

Consumed: 8/7/2010

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2010 04:37:16 | More by hayesez

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev 0%

05-01-2013 05:54:51 | More by spycow

yourefragile

District of Columbia

2/5  rDev -42.9%

04-27-2013 19:42:22 | More by yourefragile

DJButters

California

2/5  rDev -42.9%

03-22-2013 16:57:47 | More by DJButters

t0rin0

California

3/5  rDev -14.3%

03-04-2013 01:03:05 | More by t0rin0

drummermattie02

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -28.6%

02-17-2013 15:55:13 | More by drummermattie02

jconrick1

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%

02-16-2013 01:09:10 | More by jconrick1

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

3.86/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This is obviously an extreme beer, extreme in the acid department for sure, especially in the nose. Thanks to Colin for sharing this 2009 bottle.

THe look is a nice brown color that is almost clear and has little head or lacing, reminds me cognac in the glass.

The smell is kind of ridiculous in the acid department, reminds me of nail polish remover and paint thinner, although in some ways I don't mind it in an weird way. Really acid and tart smelling, maybe the slightest bright unripe fruits as well.

The taste is better, it hits the acid notes at the back of the palate big time, but the front is actually somewhat elegant in its fruit and funk. It's a tale of two parts of the tongue, the back lights up with sour and the front has a nice mixed bag of flavors.

Overall this is a good to decent beer, definitely lacks in elegance but it does the job if you like sour beers!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 23:16:18 | More by Dreadnaught33

bamadog

Kentucky

2.45/5  rDev -30%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

Got this one in a trade quite some time ago. Based upon some of the earlier reviews, I was a little nervous to try this one as I thought it might rip the enamel straight off my teeth... Review is from notes taken on 12/2/2012 and poured from the bottle to a snifter.

Appearance: Pour is a deep, mahogany, near red -- looks quite a bit like a deep red wine; no head to speak of, no carbonation bubbling up, me thinks it may be a tad bit flat... Nothing left on the sides except a slight oily residue. Normally with sours I expect a huge, lasting and frothy head, but nothing here... disappointed.

Smell: Smells like a sour should, but due to the lack of carbonation, nothing is really coming up in a robust manner; heavily tart, acidic and a bit like malt vinegar. I would think would carbonation, it would be very appetizing, but alas, and again, disappointed.

Taste: Heavy acidity and tartness, and it definitely makes me pucker; dark and overripe fruit and a touch of vinegar.

Mouthfeel: With no carbonation, the only thing giving the body any dimension is the heavy tartness that makes me pucker a bit. The acidity leaves the mouth salivating and the belly is left warm for the same reason.

Overall: Let down, big time. I've had typically pretty good luck with cellared beers, but I'm beginning to think my luck may have changed a wee bit. I don't think I'm going to be able to finish this and I'm disappointed because I was looking forward to a challenging beer. At least the bottle has a cool label.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:14:23 | More by bamadog

vissai

California

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%

07-23-2012 22:41:14 | More by vissai

drewone

California

4/5  rDev +14.3%

05-15-2012 04:36:30 | More by drewone

UCLABrewN84

California

4.33/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to aussy13 for sharing this one at jmgrub’s tasting.

Bottle # 1058-11. Barrel # 582/NBB3.

Pours a clear dark brown with a foamy tan head that fades to nothing. No lacing on this one. Smell is sour, tart, and funky with some fruity and slight vinegar aromas. Taste is very much the same with a super acidic and puckering finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good sour with some great aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 00:39:45 | More by UCLABrewN84

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle Numer 1209-11 Barrel Number SB2, SB4, NBB3 poured to NBB globe. The beer pours a thick rich brown with amber mahogany edges in the light. Flat though, not much of a head to report nor lacing or retention. The only thing about this beer that isn't welcoming or impressive. The nose is a pleasant blend of tart fruit character, sweet malt, oak, vanilla, and dark fruit - the former being most prevalent. The flavor follows suit with a pronounced tart sour character that dominates the flavor throughout: first flavor you encounter and lasts until it's the last thing you taste. The oak and vanilla and malty sweetness are much less prevalent than in the nose but the fruity character is a bit more bold. Finishes crisp and actually quite smooth. Medium bodied but nut much carbonation. Overall, I really enjoy this beer! I am told each bottle tastes a little different so I will be heading back to pick more up. It's a bit pricey at around $25/bottle but I would cellar a few and save for a nice occasion. It's interesting to see people's reaction to the beer. I didn't pick up any of the unpleasant characteristics others commented on. Perhaps its this bottle or batch. I would recommend for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 21:36:44 | More by hopfacebrew

fo1ksguitar

Missouri

4/5  rDev +14.3%

02-01-2012 16:09:17 | More by fo1ksguitar

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +28.6%

02-01-2012 02:58:14 | More by bsuedekum

ThirstyHerf

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%

01-25-2012 20:58:00 | More by ThirstyHerf

bstyle

Indiana

3/5  rDev -14.3%

01-24-2012 05:41:41 | More by bstyle

Spider889

Ohio

2.03/5  rDev -42%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Bottle #661 presented with a cool Dr. Suess label.

Pours reddish in color, quite cloudy with no head.

Smells tart and fruity - strawberry and raspberry and LOADS of vinegar.

Tastes like vinegar as well. Off putting at first. The first sip was so acidic it shot straight through my nose - heavy burning and fusel alcohol. Ketchup... aye cap'n, ketchup. Raspberry eventually makes an appearance once you adjust to the vinegar.

Extremely dry and acidic. The acidity makes drinking more than a few ounces of this painful. Glad this was shared within a group or it'd have wound up a drain pour. That said, I still don't think it was all finished at the end of the night.

Overall quite sour - if you want a kick in the nuts then this beer will deliver. Unfortunately I want kids some day. Those poor Lorax...

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 07:15:02 | More by Spider889

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: bottle sharing at Beermongers, Portland, OR
Thanks to writerLJberg for the share!

Gotta love that Dr. Seussian artwork. Poured a murky, ruddy brown with a thin whitish head that receded to almost nothing. Aroma of tart cherries, acetic acid, and booze-soaked wood. Taste of tart and sour cherries, but not too lip-puckering (after reading other reviews, I have to wonder how long this bottle sat in the cellar, and if it indeed mellowed out a bit with time), more acetic acid / vinegar, chewy bread, and hints of citrus, oak, and wet grass. Medium-bodied, quite acidic, but still pretty tame compared to other members of the style, not to mention pretty low in alcohol. I liked this one. It's no RR Supplication, but it's still pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:58:33 | More by Rifugium

sideshowe

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -28.6%

01-05-2012 13:37:17 | More by sideshowe

jcartamdg

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cherrywood brown with no visible head, slight carbonation. Aroma of lacto, cherries, sour grapes and slight vinegar. Taste follows nose sweet and tart. Cherries up front with vinegar in the back. The sour sticks around and puckers well after the last sip. I love this beer, my only knock is I would like a little more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 06:32:39 | More by jcartamdg

jophish17

Georgia

2.5/5  rDev -28.6%

12-24-2011 00:02:22 | More by jophish17

GRG1313

California

3.5/5  rDev 0%

12-19-2011 23:18:54 | More by GRG1313

Domingo

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Wow…reviews seem to be all over the place for this one. I never would’ve guessed.
Pours a medium amber to brown color with fairly limited carbonation. It never dies completely, but it’s never more than a slightly thicker mouthfeel than something flat either.
The flavor profile is both simple and complex at the same time. Sour citric notes alternating with a balsamic and soured English brown ale character. Some sips will make you pucker, while others lean more in the direction of a traditional vinous-like brown. At the end of the day, I like that flavor, though.
The real knock on this, much like the visual, is that the carbonation is so mild. It doesn’t need to be a weissbier or anything, but the body’s lacking for sure.
I like this beer even if it’s a bit too still. The flavor is something I never tire of and I really do hope I can get more of it in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 21:44:36 | More by Domingo

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +14.3%

12-07-2011 03:05:14 | More by beerwolf77