Seven (#7) - Upright Brewing Company

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a tulip)
A- This beer pours a very hazy apricot body with a microbubble carbonation and a big beige cream that fills half the glass on the first pour. The head sticks to the glass with each sip.

S- The yeast bread dough aroma has some fresh meadow aroma with fresh rain and green fruity hops growing in the finish. There is an apricot hint to the fruity finish aswell.

T- The spicy phenols and some classic saison esters blend with a green bitter hint that is soon overpowered by a slightly dry but full flavored hop finish. There is some tropical fruit qualities to the hops with some spice notes and a Munich malt sweetness that complements the other flavors nicely.

M- The medium mouthfeel is enhanced by the thick head texture and the tight fizz in the finish with no alcohol heat noticed.

O- The nice solid saison base has some interesting malt sweetness and good complexity to the full hop profile. This is very drinkable and sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 20:25:59 | More by rhoadsrage

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.96/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a huge fizzy bubbly 2.5 finger head that fades at a med pace and leaves tons of pillowy lacing, quite clear amber-ish nectar orange color.

Nose dry light farmhouse aromas, light saison spices like coriander and clove, light citrus and hint orange peel like but not really those spices in it just from the yeast, pillowy fluffy Belgian golden malts, fruity esters, little pear and golden apple like fruit, all that combined with a light leafy floral and hint fruity hop character.

Taste starts with malts, biscuity toasty malts, quite toasty actually, a light Belgian golden malt character, and wheat, a toasted pilsner with light lemon grass and earthy flavors. then into hops actually, a light earthy spicy hop, chewy and floral with a little grassy flavor again. Saison flavors are in the background, light spices again like the coriander, little peppery, faint citrus, with more fruity Belgian esters, then to the farmhouse earthy flavors, almost saw dust without the woody flavor, fruity flavors bring more golden apple and pear. Bitterness is med to lighter and remains constant throughout. Finish is more dry fruity flavors, citrus, fruity esters lingering, little doughy Belgian malts and toasted wheat, plenty of mild grassy earthy hops.

Mouth is med bodied, plenty of fluffy carb, little syrupy, faint hint of warming booze that is mostly drowned out by the beer.

Overall pretty nice, the hops are stronger than a typical saison but nice as they don't overpower and go beyond their domain, nice Belgian malt flavors, toasted pilsner like malts, nice light farmhouse flavors although I would have liked the farmhouse flavors to come out a little more, and maybe a little too syrupy, booze is hidden well despite that it should have been a little high for a nice farmhouse. But an nice overall beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 02:01:25 | More by jlindros

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.39/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle pours a clear yellow with a white cap more than a finger strong. Some spotty lace clings to the glassware. Streaming bubbles of carbonation support the cap that retains well.

The smell opens up a bit sulfuric and then blends into some of the fruited expected quakity of a saison. Most noteably is a mild essence of pear then minerals. As it warms up, almost a funky cheesy scent emerges.

The taste is herbal and rindy with hops. A bit of neutral fruity citrus almost zesty quality is present that seems to stem from a combination of yeast and hops. A little bit of carbonic aspect emerges when swirled and a flavor of dirty cantaloupe resides in the aftertaste.

This is a medium bodied brew with a visually ample amount of carbonation that comes up a bit light in the feel. Overall not bad, but lacking a but compares to the other staple upright brews. For being described as Upright's most aromatic brew, I have to disagree.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 18:56:08 | More by stakem

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.34/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

750 mL courtesy of Libby pours a very hazed, light gold color with a fine-bubbled white head. Retention is ok and lacing nice.

Nose is interesting...over-ripe oranges, sourdough bread and some tropical fruit I cant identify that I am guessing is from the hops.

Taste is fruity and tart with a grainy bread maltiness and fair amount of sweetness. Id be surprised if this one didnt have wheat in it, it has a tang to it I find unique to wheat beers. Mouthfeel is soft and supple with a fine carbonation. I dont really find this beer to be up my alley...it doesnt seem to come together quite right for me. I dont know if I waited too long to drink it, probably sat in my fridge for 6 months or so. Right up there with Billy the Mountain for my least favorite Upright beers I have had. That said, even a mediocre Upright experience is better than the best of many breweries! Id like to try it again sometime to see if I like it better.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 22:26:36 | More by twiggamortis420

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle to a pint glass. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Slightly hazy orange. Small white head. Not a lot of retention.

Smell - Nice citrus and yeast notes. Definite funkiness to it. Maybe some metallic notes as well.

Taste - Fruity, with more of a pineapple twist than citrus. Less funky and still a little metallic. Bready and slightly yeasty, but not as much as the nose gives.

Mouthfeel - Light and well carbonated. Slightly bitter.

Overall - I enjoy all aspects except for the metallic flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 19:12:08 | More by Alieniloquium

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Hazy golden amber with a pillowy white head and thick patches of lace left clinging to the side of the glass.

S - Grassy, herbal hops, peppercorns, floral and citrus undertones. Biscuit malt, banana and yeast esters as it warms. Lemon.

T - Slightly sweet orange and citrus, honeyed malt, grassy spice, yeasty, banana with a tart peppercorn finish.

M - Medium body and creamy with high carbonation.

D - More complex than I am giving it credit. Changes nicely as the temperature changes. Slight alcohol warming. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 04:09:56 | More by brewcrew76

PEBKAC

New York

2.9/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle from LetsPour dot com. Ommegang chalice. Already well into strong ale season, a lonely saison walks in out of the cold.

Cloudy, yellow orange, turning mustard on the second pour, as it gets stirred up w/ sediment. Hollow, egg white head.

Chalky, saline, menthol scent. Bready yeast. Muted.

Taste is Incredibly chalky & stiff straight out the fridge. Letting the bottle sweat turns the beverage doughy sweet. Not really enjoying that either. Frothy. Begins to feel quite thick. Envelope glue bitterness, some leafy greens. Battery acid & flour finish. Bland yeast.

A short review just because I'm so disappointed. Hope this year's SN Celebration can cheer me up.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 07:52:33 | More by PEBKAC

sweethome

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pour is hazy golden yellow. Can't see through this light colored beer. Beautiful milk-white head. Nice lacing in my Westvleteren chalice. Nose of yeast, straw, lemongrass, citrus.

Nice, crisp entry - fills out to a full palate. Snappy mouthfeel. Satisfying. Big flavor profile, but light and nimble on the palate. A great sipping beer. Alcohol is well hidden.

Flavors are fresh, lemon rind, hay, hint of yeast.

My first from Upright - this one hits on all the notes I enjoy of the saison style.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:45:05 | More by sweethome

colforbin73

California

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

this is a nice decent drinking saison -- a lot richer than the usual, a little more sweet, and a little hotter too... i can detect the 8% here.

the pour is very lively -- it foams up big time and you need to pour very carefully or it will be all foamy head. the retention to the glass is decent... the BREW is opaque, cloudy orange, not the paler yellow i associate with saison. it looks like a double ipa.

the smell is very nuanced and subtle (i don't think i have the best nose btw) i don't get much yeast but it is there, and a good dry grassy aroma. no hops to speak of.... a tad spicey.

the taste is in the ballpark, but again, a little on the rich side. it tastes thick, like a rough boozey mash. i get some piney resins from the hops and then, again, very boozey mash flavor --- it is like a brew made from the runoff of JD.... yes, a little corn booze going on here... there are spice tones, but masked by the booze.

i would certainly try more beer from UPRIGHT, but i would probably try something different next time. when you can get a Jack d-Or or a Dupont etc.... there are just too many other good options for a saison.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:19:39 | More by colforbin73

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip.

3.5 A: Needed two pours to get a full glass from the big head. Lightly hazed dark yellow color. Three plus fingers of pillowy white head. Retention is very good, but only a few whisps of lacing are left.

4.5 S: This is what I want. After 4-6, this one is impressing. The nose is huge, complex, and pleasant. Big peppery spiciness to start things off. Next is grass and hay. Some nuttiness after that. Grassy, herbal, floral, earthy, and fruity hops in that order. Lemon and orange fruitiness and maybe a touch of pineapple. Very nice.

3.5 T: The taste is good, but the flavors don't mesh as well as in the nose. Crackery malt character is fairly aggressive and dominates the taste. There's also a lot more yeastiness. After that you will find lemon, nuttiness, pear, and peach. The citrus fruits aren't as apparent. Still a solid grassy and earthy hoppiness with herbs and flowers on the periphery. Still good, just not as good as the nose.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Despite the giant head, the carbonation level is about right, but unfortunately it's not as spritzy as I'd like. Still, this is smooth and not bad here.

3.5 D: Another decent, but unimpressive beer from Upright. Good enough all around.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 02:31:57 | More by DavoleBomb

cvm4

Mississippi

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a cloudy, almost murky orange with a huge white head.
S - Orange peel, spices & grassy.

T - Hate to say this, just nothing distinctive. Taste pretty much follows the nose.

M - A but heavier than I'm used to. High carbonation.

O - A good saison, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 19:15:27 | More by cvm4

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The last of my beers from Upright. But hopefully not the last beer I try of theirs ever. Nice citrus tones, leaning towards orange. Very mild funky (in a saison way) tones. Interesting balance and flow of flavor. This is very easy drinking. I could go on this all night. I'm glad I ended with this one. I started with the Five, was not very impressed with Four, thought Six was...okay, and I am ending on a very good impression with Seven. Very nicely done. I hope to get the chance to try more of Upright's brews in the future. This saison could stand against most others produced anywhere.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 22:57:10 | More by RblWthACoz

draheim

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL into a Hennepin glass. Pours a murky dirty orange w/ a thick fluffy head, sticky lace.

Aroma is grassy, earthy, citrusy, spicy, floral. Orange peel, pepper, coriander, zesty Belgian yeast.

Taste is a blend of fruity and dry biscuity malts, old world hops, and estery Belgian yeast. Maltier and heavier than other saisons, with a commensurately elevated hop presence. An imperial saison?

Mouthfeel is thick, almost chewy. Lingering aftertaste, but also dry.

Overall an interesting take on a saison. Maybe not my favorite Upright beer, but they did a good job of keeping a balance and this is an undeniably tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 01:47:03 | More by draheim

ehammond1

California

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (2012)

K 'n' B Wine Cellars
San Diego, CA

Slightly hazed golden and light amber with a big, persistent off-white head that leaves ribbons of lace down the glass. A gorgeous beer.

Very powerful and quite strong aroma of tropical and citrus fruits, some berry and melon, and simple grains. It comes together very nicely, and probably the best aspect of the beer.

The flavor is similar, especially as it warms, as more tropical fruit and melon notes accentuate. There's simple grains and a low level of bitterness. The fairly high alcohol (for the style) is remarkably well hidden.

Medium bodied with high carbonation, though just a little bit syrupy.

I'll happily pick this Upright up again from off the shelf.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 15:00:11 | More by ehammond1

morimech

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy golden color with a massive pillowy head that took its time settling to a thick cap. A lot of lacing is left down the glass.

Love the aroma. Grassy and peppery hops combine with fruity esters that lofts off this beer. Hints of apples and pears. A little alcohol creeps in as well.

Unfortunately the flavor is not as impressive. Solvent alcohol spoils the party. The alcohol and the hops overpower the esters and malt. Rather dry, bitter, and astrigent. Still better than the majority of American Saisons.

The body does not feel like an 8% ABV beer. Surprisingly light and lively. Not harsh at all.

A too hoppy and boozy saison. Preferred the Four a whole lot more.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 20:05:51 | More by morimech

KDawg

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured from 750 into a tulip. Pours a medium gold color with a very good head.

Very good aromas of spices, florals, citrus tones and some navel oranges. Good depth as well.

Medium/full bodied with a deliciously smooth feel. Balanced with very good flavors of spices, florals and navel oranges.

This was a real quality saison. On the more citrusy side as opposed to the funkier side.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 02:06:37 | More by KDawg

kawilliams81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a D'Achoffe tulip.

A- pours a hazy, light orange with a big 3" white head. Checker board of lacing bubbles remain on the glass.

S- lots of citrus and spices, some peppercorn, and faint funk.

T- spices and peppercorn upfront with citrus notes at middle and finish.

M- medium body, high carbonation. Slight creaminess with a bit of acidity at the finish.

O- good saison that has a little more body to it then most.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 22:25:16 | More by kawilliams81

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured into tulip.

reviewed from notes 5/10/12.

Appearance: Pale yellow bodied beer with a massive white head. Drops to a really chunky head that lasts for a long time. Thick lacing on the glass.

Smell: Really complex nose that hard to pick apart. I do get bready/biscuity and caramel malt notes. Mild pine, grass, and herbal hop notes. Mild pepper notes.

Taste: Mild malt profile with moderate pepper notes. Mild wheat and mild hops that are not bitter. Hint of fruityness and its prodominently peaches/apricots.

Mouthfeel: light bodied beer with moderate to high carbonation. This beer is way to easy to drink at 8%; it really drinks like its 4%. This is the most impressive attribute of this beer.

Overall: Really solid saison. I am not a big fan of Saison style beer but this one is really good and i was impressed by it.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 08:12:04 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Duff27

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big fluffy over an inch tall white head. Orange body. Wonderful head retention and lacing.

Low hop profile compared to taste. Clean, biscuity malts.

Damn, pretty hoppy for a saison. It works here. Sour funk finish. "Peaches". Hides the 8%abv very well.

Medium creamy mouthfeel. Mellow carbonation, not biting at all.

Tasty treat here. If you have access to this and you're a farmhouse fan, picker up! Thanks 4DAloveofSTOUT.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 00:09:11 | More by Duff27

Florida9

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: I'm a sucker for a good head and this one has an absolutely amazing one: a big, fluffy, stable meringue of off-white colored head towers out of the glass while sitting upon a very cloudy oxidized yellow colored beer. Some very nice lacing.

S: Rather aromatic with a full fruit salad of aroma. Light sweetness with orange, lemon, some banana, a lot of spice, and some fairly aggressive alcohol.

T: Again, a mild sweetness with lots of fruit and spice. Juicy orange, some tropical fruits, black pepper, and yeasty spice. There is a bit of alcohol on the finish.

M: On the lighter side of medium with higher carbonation, a mild alcoholic heat and a mild bitterness.

O: Overall, an enjoyable, rather complex saison. Paired surprisingly well with miso ramen.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 01:46:13 | More by Florida9

DovaliHops

California

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, golden color with a large white head that eventually diminishes. Very nice lacing. Scent is very grassy with some earthy notes. A lot of spice and a little citrus with some melon. Honeydew and cantaloupe with some lemon and orange zest. Not much funk or farmhouse aroma...which I really look forward to in a saison. Taste is immediately a bit tart with some lemon and orange flavors. Then I get some crystal malt flavors with some bread-like yeast and a bunch of spiciness. A good amount of pepper. A pretty big hop profile on this one too...with just a bit of buttery popcorn flavor. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, smooth, crisp, and refreshing...ABV well-hidden. Drinkability is very high. Overall, this is a VERY tasty beer. I just like more funk in my saisons. I guess I've been spoiled by all the Fantome I've had lately.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 08:01:29 | More by DovaliHops

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.23/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to VegasBeerMan for this bottle...

A: Pours out a nice light honey color. Orange is the dominate shade, but bits of yellow and even a few reds seem to blend into the look. There is about 2 fingers of bone white foam that takes a bit to settle.

S: The nose is decent. It has notes of banana, spice, yeast, and a touch of sweet fruit. There is a juiciness to to this beer that makes me want to take a sip immediately.

T: Nice. My first impressions is floral, tropical fruits (pineapple), grass, spice, and banana yeastyness. It's hard to pick out a dominate flavor, because I can pull each one out individually if I try. It's like all the tastes meld into a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. There is a touch of alcohol, but I'm ok with that.

M: Light bodied beer. Although it's an 8% beer, it still feels light on the palate. The flavors swirl nicely and nothing lingers for too long.

O: This is a really solid saison. It's super refreshing. This is the type of beer that I'd want to sip sitting by the pool, kicking back on a nice summer day. I'm a fan.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 00:13:11 | More by trxxpaxxs

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml with no dating information. Poured this into my DFH Signature glass.

A: Cloudy orangey yellow color. Tons of marshmallow like head. It's an off white color. Bottle conditioned to the hilt. Obviously nice lacing.

S: Grassy hop aromas. Saison yeasty notes. Some breadiness.

T: Initial impressions, it tastes like a funky wheat beer. You get the spicy hops on the tip of the tongue. Coriander and mold orange peel. In the mid-mouth, it mellows into some dry Saison yeasty flavors. Which leads into the dry finish.

M: Medium bodied

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 20:26:43 | More by inlimbo77

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky honey gold with a tan head that settle to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of fruits, yeast, spices, and grain. Taste is the same with a slightly tart fruit flavor. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good saison with a nice fruity aroma and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 01:28:39 | More by UCLABrewN84

GeraldFunk

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass from 9.4 ounce bottle.

A - Pours a hazy golden orange with nice frothy two finger head. Head dissipates rather quickly with very little lacing.

S - Zesty, citrus, apricot, yeasty bread and spices. Good smelling beer but not as aromatic as I was expecting.

T - Here is where the beer shines. Oranges, apricots and sweet tropical fruit hit first followed by honeyed yeast with a dry bready finish with lingering spices. Yum.

M - Light to medium bodied. This beer has great balance and drinkability. Medium long finish of spices makes you want to keep sipping.

O - This being my first encounter with Upright Brewing I must say I'm impressed. Very pleasing beer and I would definetely recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 07:01:59 | More by GeraldFunk