Woodicus - Freetail Brewing Company

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of tjmodica from a trade sometime last year. Thank you Thomas!
2011 and one of one hundred bottles.

Pours a hazy juicy orange with a whipped up froth and some skim. Really an appetizing looking beer.

Vanilla, light and musty, some Brett, and light stone fruit. There also something intriguing and exotic that lies just outside my grasp. I continued returning in an effort to try and get a hold on it. If something pops, I will add it at the end of the review. If pressed to hazard a guess, I would say the buttery white wine notes of a Chardonnay barrel.

There are a multitude of happenings here....not to be confused with "The Happening" an absolutely atrocious mess with some of the worst acting ever recorded. Oh Mr. shamalamadingdong! to think how much I enjoyed Signs and Unbreakable.What the hell happened? But, I digress. Crisp tartness..think green apples but not in an off flavor way followed by hay, light malts, and a big floral component. The bottle notes chamomile...perhaps that is what I am tasting. Acidity is strongest on the back end in the form of pineapple juice along with a metallic twang. Oddly it tastes like canned pineapple towards the finish. Oak leaves a drying tannic finish. Again the light buttery citrus leads me to believe this was aged in white wine barrels.

Overall this is an interesting beer with a lot going on. Considering the low bottle count, I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity. Having had multiple Freetail sours to this point, I can't say there have been any I have not enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 02:54:22 | More by BarrytheBear

Phelps

Arizona

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Woodicus is Freetail’s double rye wit, Witicus, aged in a retired wine barrel from Llano Estacado and fermented using the natural flora from their vineyards. This 2011 vintage is only one of only 100 bottles, which means I’m majorly indebted to ottovon for bringing this rarity. Poured into a tulip.

Cloudy wheat-orange. A thin, silky head fizzles away to nothing in seconds.

A blend of funk and the tropics in the nose. A little red apple, cinnamon and oak.

Tastes like mulled cider. Red apple, cinnamon and nutmeg blend at first, followed by a flash of vinegar and more apple chip sweetness at the swallow.

Medium-light body with fairly high carbonation, a touch of silky fizz. Clean finish; no hint of booze.

Good stuff, and spicier than expected. The bottle doesn’t say whether spices were added, but I’d be shocked if they weren’t. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 05:48:39 | More by Phelps

MasterSki

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Eric (TurdFurgison) for sharing this super-rare release. Served in a plastic cup at Kuhnhenn Winter Solstice.

A - Big white foam settles to a thick collar and near-complete cap, leaving behind tons o' lace. Hazy peach body.

S - White wine, buttery oak, dusty bretty, some medicinal notes, toasted grains, and a hint of acetic acid.

T - The flavor reveals a bit more of the rye malt base, but with hints of dry, musty, brett, light pineapple, and a touch of apple cider.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, fairly dry and tannic, with a hint of warming alcohol.

D - A fairly subtle beer, but largely enjoyable. If you're expecting something really sour then you'll be disappointed, but this is a solid wine barrel-aged wild beer. Not mind-blowing, and probably more rare than it is great.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 18:24:27 | More by MasterSki

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.55/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Hazy golden-peach pour with a small white head

Smell: Very faintly tart with some wheat, honey and hay, light malt

Taste: Slightly sour, touches of pears and apples, honey and sweet malt. WIth a name like woodicus I was expecting some oak, there is perhaps a touch but not much

Mouthfeel: Well executed, medium body, good carbonation

Overall: Fairly standard, could be much more sour and could use a bit more complexity or some fruit.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 05:08:14 | More by craytonic

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle. Thanks to Caleb. Pours a light wheat golden color with a collared white head. Sweet aroma of pineapple, pear, apple, and "what’s this?" toasted coconut?! As we all sampled this we all looked at each other and thought it smelled like a pina colada, but in a good way. Light/medium mouthfeel. Sweet and dry with the aforementioned flavors. Dry finish. Wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it was good. No real hardcore sourness.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 01:11:42 | More by kbutler1

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a tulip. Thanks to bauermj for bringing this bottle out.

Appearance: My pour is a full golden color, transparent with a think white foam on top. The head fades to a collar and leaves just a little lace.

Smell: The aroma really jumps out of the glass into my nose. Sweet pale malts, oak, lactic acid, green apple, honey, white grape, and a nice burst of vanilla.

Taste: The flavor is complex as well. Up front the flavor is sweet, with honey, a little spiciness, light malts, green apple, pear, and white grape. A woody oak flavor and some spiciness reduce the sweetness on the tongue. The finish is lightly sweet.

Mouthfeel: The feel is sweet to start and on the dry side at the finish. I notice the light crisp carbonation to go along with an oaky acidity and soft tannic nature.

Overall: I like the balance of oak and tart acidity after the brief fruity sweetness. This is a very nice beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 03:53:53 | More by KickInTheChalice

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle thanks to Matt. Thanks man.

Pours a darker yellow hue with no head or lacing. The smell has a lot of black cherry to me, maybe even a cherry pie like aroma. A little funky yeast with a red wine vinous note too. Oak certainly plays a part in the aroma as well with a pulpy vanilla.

The taste really reminds me of cherry pie in the taste with definite defining rye and oak to decorate the flavor. Lots of deep dark red wine and a hint of vanillin. Very complex and flavorful.

The beer has a nice medium feel and is full over the palate.

Overall a very good beer and quite interesting mix of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 22:13:32 | More by Dreadnaught33

drabmuh

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Huhzubendah for sharing this out of market wild ale from some place that isn't here. Thanks! At the time of this review, this beer does not grace the ranks of the American Wild Ale list but is on the "Top Beers - New" list at #53. Hopefully this fine little wild can find some footing and get some respect. I understand this is a relatively low bottle count. Hopefully more to come in the future.

Beer is yellow and mildly hazy with a wispy head of small white bubbles, low retention, low carbonation, looks fine.

Aroma is complex, lactic, acetic (very mild), oak, tannins, some fruits, perhaps a mild pear aroma. Interesting.

Light in body and bright on the forward with a nice but not tart finish. Beer finishes mildly dry, it is a decent little ale, I enjoyed it and would definitely drink more, if that were possible. I hope this is a sign of great things to come from Freetail.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 03:59:14 | More by drabmuh

mdfb79

New York

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 10/02/11 notes. Big thanks to Huhzubendah for sharing this sour; thanks Matthew! Poured into my Bell's tulip. Label says they only made 100 bottles of this.

a - Pours a murky bright yellow color with one to two inches of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of pine, white wine, sour fruits, some light funk and lactic notes, and light wood. Very sour and a little funky, very nice.

t - Tastes of sour brett and fruit, white wine, oak, citrus, and some earthy funky notes.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall a really nice wild ale I'm glad I got to try. More sour than funky, it is very easy to drink and the wine comes through. Would like to see them brew this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 17:16:47 | More by mdfb79

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of Huhzubendah. Served in a snifter.

Pours a clear golden-peach color with a decent white head. Touch of lacing as it falls plus a bit of a collar. The nose brings some spicy rye with some light stone-fruit character. There is a bit of lactic sourness there. Flavor has more stone fruit plus some spicy rye. Light touch of oak plus a bit of sourness. Body is rather heavy and chewy for a sour, but it works quite well. Bit of spice. Quite tasty. Glad to try this.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 19:34:31 | More by Thorpe429

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.47/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Shared this with the crew today. Thanks to xpimptastikx for hooking me up via trade.

The beer appears yellow and fairly hazy with a thin, white cap. The aroma is musty and funky, with a strong oak and rye presence. Light alcohol in the nose, as well as some subtle citrus notes. I really like the flavor. Lots of sourness and red wine. Excellent barrel notes. Really complex and wonderful. Overall, a terrific beer. I hope they make this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 19:17:55 | More by Huhzubendah

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber pours a lightly hazed gold color with a small cap of bubbly white head. Decent lacing.

Nose is right up there with some of the best American sours...tart bacteria and soft malted grains with white wine written all over it. Coriander and citrus come out as it warms a bit.

Muy interesante...like an orange dreamsicle dipped in champagne! Soft and citric with a sharp, almost cheddary bite. Not getting much (if any) brett, which might have sent this beast through the roof. Peach yogurt in its creaminess and tart fruit...very light-colored fruit flavors. Rye is mostly absent, though it might add to the depth of various malted grains. White wine and sourness are, by themselves, pretty mild but they combine for a great intense and unique flavor profile. This might be my favorite Freetail sour that I have had so far...tasty stuff!

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 20:49:26 | More by twiggamortis420

HopHead84

California

3.8/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

6/26/2011

Bottle shared by Bobby at Sour Fest 2011, thanks.

A: Pellucid straw blond with a one finger of white sea foam.

S: Tart lemon with an evident lactic presence and a little sugary sweetness. I detect a buttery oak character, redolent of Chardonnay, with a little vanilla. Some grass and earth as well.

T: Lightly sweet apple and lemon with a light citric acidity with some oak and vanilla. I get some wheat or perhaps hay. Finish is mildly lactic.

M: Upper light in body with moderate carbonation and a dry, sticky mouthfeel.

Overall: A nice beer. Refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 05:25:46 | More by HopHead84

Beerzebub

District of Columbia

4.53/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From Dajtai007. Thanks Daniel!

Poured not too cold into a big wine glass.

Attractive cloudy golden color, with a mere smattering of froth.

Fresh tart fruity aroma, with some cheddar and black pepper, wet stones, and a hint of bubblegum. Nice mix of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory. The complex fruitiness is along the lines of Meyer lemon, white grape, apple, and peach, quite delicious. Over time, oak emerges, like caramel custard with a touch of vanilla in it, deep and rich, complementing the fruit quite well. One of the best expressions of oak that I have every experienced.

Tastes fruity, tart, dry, and minerally, like fruit salad served on wet river rocks. The acidity is moderate, but it's tart enough to be very refreshing. Cohesive and balanced. Moderately long finish, dry and minerally, with some grain and mild hop flavor surfacing as the fruit fades.

Light bodied, spritzy but not overly so. Extremely refreshing and quaffable.

Some of the best smelling stuff that my nose has come across in a while, quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 06:59:02 | More by Beerzebub

womencantsail

California

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks for sharing this, Bobby.

A: The beer pours a hazy golden-amber/orange color with a tall white head.

S: A nice tartness to the nose with plenty of lemon and lemon zest. There's a bit of wine and grape to it. Surprisingly still quite sweet and malty. A bit of honey and vanilla and some grass.

T: The flavor has a strong vanilla and maple note to it which I wasn't expecting. Lots of different light and tart fruits such as apples, pears, and lemons. Still some honey and malt flavor and a nice bit of oak.

M: Medium in body with a medium carbonation.

O: I thought this was a really nice beer overall. I liked the base version quite a bit too.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 03:15:09 | More by womencantsail

champ103

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another thanks to Dajtai007 for hooking me up with a bottle.

A: Pours a very hazy golden/orange color. A bubbly white head rises to over a finger with a vigorous poor. Then the foam recedes to a small ring. Not much lace is left behind.
S: Wood and vanilla up front and center, this dominates until this warms up. The tartness is very light, and almost no acidity. Though apples and pears really come out as this warms up. Toasted malt, bread and biscuit. Very nice.
T: Like the nose this is very reserved at first. Though as this breaths and warms up lots of complexities come out. The tartness is a bit more prevalent with lots of apples, pears, even cherries. There is a sweetness of vanilla and cinnamon with some wood/barrel flavors. Big toasted malts of bread and biscuit in the finish.
M/D: A medium body that is a little under carbonated. I wish it was a bit more crisp and clean. I am having no problems finishing this. Very enjoyable.

Another great offering by Freetail. Really enjoyable. This is not the masterpiece that the base beer is, but I love it none the less. Very unique and something I would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 00:09:22 | More by champ103

bisonkron

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Yellow cloudy coloring. A white head that dissipates quickly. looks very refreshing.
S - Great wheat notes, citrus, and sour smelling.
T - The citrus notes really pop out in the taste, the wheat is still there, and the sour is definitely there. A bit of floral notes as you might expect from a wheat.
M/D - Great carbonation. The sourness is great but only mouth puckering on the first drink, after that easy enough to drink which i enjoyed. This is a light/crisp beer that is refreshing but still has a kick in the taste which is awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2011 17:04:32 | More by bisonkron

xpimptastikx

Texas

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours an almost clear golden with a finger of white head, some legs.
S - Lemon, wheat, funk.
T - Funky lemon, spicy wheat yeast, white grapes, light oak. It becomes sweeter as it warms and definitely has a tropical taste.
M/D - Medium body with ok carbonation, not as dry as I would like. Incredibly drinkable like every wild that I've had from Freetail.

It's really a toss up which one I like more, Woodicus or Bandito, but they both have a bit more depth than their previous wilds. I wish there were more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 01:18:31 | More by xpimptastikx

Mora2000

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is Witicus Double Rye soured and aged in wine barrels.


On tap at the brewpub during the bottle release. There were 100 bottles of this beer released. One of five sours on tap at Freetail during the bottle release.

The beer pours a yellow color with a white head. The aroma is heavy on the wheat with some tart lemons mixed in. The beer smells fairly sour. The flavor is more complex. I get some brett notes as well as some sour lemons, wheat, cherry and vanilla notes. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A very nice sour from a great brewpub.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2011 04:29:38 | More by Mora2000