Flora Rustica - Upright Brewing Company

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ the Upright Brewing Company (Portland, OR) on 9/4/11. Served in a footed glass.

Pours a clear gold, with a ½ finger of bright-white head. This retains with a thin creamy richness that drenches the sides of the glass with thick sticky lacing. The aroma smells fresh and floral in the nose, with extra notes of herbs, lemon, spice, earth, and sweet backing grains. This has a delicious airiness in the nose but also has some flavorful power as well.

The taste is crisp and flavorful on the palate, with lots of zesty tart lemon, peppery spice, and herbal earth notes that all linger on the tongue. There appears to be a bit of a light grassy (or I could see even a flowery) bitterness to this that is balanced and supported by a light backbone of sweet and gently toasted malt. The lemon, earthy botanicals, and spice flavors really drive this. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a prickly creaminess that expands out in the mouth. Overall though, this is light and crisp enough on the palate to bounce those flavors around nicely and help this retain a certain amount of a refreshing feel to it. This is about perfect in relation to the flavors here.

I really liked this and it made me a believer about the great things that I’ve heard about their beers from here. This was just packed with a deep flavorful complexity, yet was still extremely approachable and even borderline thirst quenching at times. Between this and the samples that I had of their other Farmhouse Ales, I’d certainly say that these guys know what they are doing here.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 14:25:05 | More by Kegatron

PDXHops

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Hop & Vine, handsomely presented in a big tulip. A hazy caramel/apricot body with a very thick cap of cream-colored head. Excellent retention and quite a bit of sticky lace.

Heckuva brew here, from the massive clove/tangy banana that first hits the nose to dry chalky/lemony finish. In between is a mishmash of sweet, tart, spicy, floral, and breadiness. Every degree it warms up seems to uncover another layer of complexity. Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy and coating, teasing you to take another sip (an easy sell).

Overall impression: Excellent beer from a brewery I'm glad I got to know a bit before leaving town.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2009 19:40:46 | More by PDXHops

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A mid-afternoon stop at Green Dragon, prior to picking up the car from the repair shop; figured it good to have a pint before writing the check. $4.75 for the glass. More for the brake work and CV boots.

A: Modestly murky wheat-copper pour, deeper cloudiness at the core. Head is thin, not even a 1/2 finger of whitish cream, and not long-lived. Lace of loosely-knit soap suds.

S: Deep flowery/herbal/spiced aroma...a perfume of sweet/dirty melons, musty hay, tickle of tartness (green apples).

T: Rough grasses, black pepper, earthy spice/tea leaves, fruit rind, a trace buttery. Spices grow with some warming; so does an increasingly less-subtle tartness. Finishes dry, a hint of chalkiness.

M: My favorite aspect: long-lasting spices, mild coating gives a feel that's probably bigger than the alcohol heft should allow. Soft and creamy carbonation. Refreshing and uplifting.

D: Quite a treat, an extremely earthy and flowery saison, resplendent with the additions of yarrow and calendula. Not one I'd choose to drink all night but certainly worth seeking/enjoying if the chance presents itself.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2009 00:01:09 | More by msubulldog25

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.09/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

750 mL bottle poured into a Hill Farmstead glass. No bottle date.

Appearance - Very hazy orange body. Big billowing head. Settles to a layer of foam and sticks to the inside of the glass.

Smell - Sweet and floral. Slight earthy aroma. Almost like brett. Yeasty.

Taste - Much more floral. Just a touch of sweetness then moves into an earthy bitterness. Again almost like brett. Bitterness dominates the finish but it's never intense.

Mouthfeel - Feels heavier than 5.1%, never quite crisp. Still easy to drink. Medium carbonation.

Overall - The flower flavor is really nice. Earthiness makes a nice counterpoint. Tough to tell if it's brett or the yarrow, whatever that is.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 02:37:47 | More by Alieniloquium

harrymel

Washington

3.08/5  rDev -26%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.25

Presumably Vintage 2012

Nice turbid amber with a solid 2-3 fingers of fluff. Smells spicy, some dandelion, some grain, yeast, a bit of malt and floral character. flavor is funky, water, some grain, some biscuit and a little bit of bitterness. Really empty body with moderate on hi carb. Very surprised how thin this feels. It's an okay beer, but not nearly the caliber I expect from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 08:23:00 | More by harrymel

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to sideshowe for sharing!

Pours a very hazy dark golden orange color with tangerine edges and a two finger white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring.  Spotty lacing left behind.

Very floral aroma with funky saison yeast, earthy hops and light fruit.  Musty straw, grass and flower petal along with some honey, farmhouse yeast, apricot apple and pear.  

On the fuller end of medium bodied with delicate carbonation and an excellent balance of floral, citrus and farmhouse notes.  Floral with subtle peppery spice and dry farmhouse funk.  Grass and straw notes along with earthy hops and strong citrus. Orange peel and grapefruit juice with flowers, spice, bread and dry, funky yeast.  Really well balanced, refreshing and very easy to drink. I enjoyed this beer very much.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 02:06:09 | More by corby112

stakem

Pennsylvania

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

750ml bottle poured into a snifter. The brew appears a hazed amber color with a rich white frothy cap. Some patchy lace clings to the glass.

The aromatics are lemony with a hint of floral quality that is a bit earthy with hops thrown in the mix. A caramel candy sweet maltiness is the last thing noted across the back.

The flavor is herbal with some hoppy bitterness. Some rindy earthen elements are present that are minorly lemony into the aftertaste with a touch of floral quality.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is very easy drinking with a pleasant subtle unique character that adds to an overall solid example of the saison style. I would get this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 20:06:51 | More by stakem

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks goes out to MSquared2 for sharing this one at a recent Random Sunday Tasting! Poured a hazy pale golden yellow with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, wheat, wood, and earth. The flavor was of sweet malt, fruit, wood, earth, and funk. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. I went into this one hoping that this would be a big time sour that would melt my teeth with sweetness and tartness. However, that was not the case. What I found was a very mellow wild ale that was more earthy and funky than anything. It was still fairly nice just not what I look for exactly from the style. Really glad I got the chance to try this one and I hope to get to revisit this one in the future again.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 20:05:45 | More by thagr81us

cfrances33

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a Hill Farmstead stem.

Pour: Hazy orange with some nice glowing orange edges. Thick, foamy white head hangs around for a while, and leaves nice thick lacing. Beautiful saison.

Smell: Big yeasty breadyness up front, followed by clean white pepper. Some floral and vegetal aspects, like green pepper and cucumbers. A light lemon. Finishes with more yeast.

Taste: Follows the nose with some floral aspects. A light cucumber juice. Some white pepper and lemon bite. Lots of bready yeast through the entire body and finish.

Mouthfeel: Refreshing and juicy, like biting into a fresh cucumber. Some nice carb. Finishes quite dry.

Overall: Really nice, traditional saison. Nothing mind blowing, but done very, very well.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 17:26:45 | More by cfrances33

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing this one at drewone's tasting.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, spices, herbs, yeast, and some floral notes. Taste is much the same with a mild spice and herb bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with some interesting aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 21:45:20 | More by UCLABrewN84

mdaschaf

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy orange color with a small white head on top, rather foamy with decent head retention with thin lacing down the sides.

S: Extremely floral, probably the most floral/flower filled aroma I have come across. There is some nice spices mixed in, not spicy as in pepper, but more herbal. A bit of funk as well.

T: Wow, this beer has a lot going on. Nice saison funk upfront with some pepper mixed with a bit flower component from the yarrow and calendula. In the middle there is a bit of fruity sweetness with a bit of lemon and apricot.

M: Light to medium bodied with medium carbonation. The flavor really coats the entire mouth. It is rather creamy as well.

O: Very impressed with this beer, loved the flowery aspects to it. Has a nice level of complextiy between the flowers, spices, and fruit. Great mouthfeel, a winner.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 05:46:45 | More by mdaschaf

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a nice hazy amber with a foamy half inch of sticky white head. The beer has a very floral nose that's a distinct lemony lemon grass. The taste is yeast forward with a good malt base that has some character. The aftertaste consists of initial bready sweetness followed by a touch of lingering, citrusy bitterness. The beer is quite tasty, as good as expected, with slightly better aromatics. I'd try this beer again, especially with a meal.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 23:17:41 | More by ThePorterSorter

merc7186

New York

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bomber into tulip glass.

A: Hazy Orangish Hue, Passes Some Light, Thick White Head, Great Lacing

S: Heavy Lemon, Floral, Funky

T: Mild Lemon, Mild Floral, Mildly Yeasty

M: Great Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Mildly Yeasty

Overall, the appearance was great, the smell was good, the taste was okay...just kept getting weaker as I got deeper into it.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 23:07:21 | More by merc7186

Phelps

Arizona

2.93/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This saison was brewed with yarrow and calendula flowers. Poured into a tulip.

Sunset-orange, with just a touch of haze. One finger of white froth doesn't do much depleting.

Sweet aroma. A base of unripe pear adorned with floral notes and a hint of pepper.

Odd. In the front, there's a nice pear sweetness and big floral hit. But the finish is so dry and weak. After the swallow, you hardly realize you even drank beer. It's like drinking air.

Thin, soft body. Nearly zero carb. Dry as a bone.

It's not doing anything for me. A drinking experience easily forgotten.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 06:16:44 | More by Phelps

Cookeeman

3.53/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Found a random bottle of this on the clearance shelf at the LRS by my house. I guess that's why I had low expectations, and thus why I was so pleasantly surprised. It poured a great hazy tangerine colour, pretty thick white head, great retention. I was apprehensive of how floral it was going to be, but the flower flavours are mild. They do assert themselves more as the beer warms, but it plays well with the NW hops and saison yeast. It's a really well-crafted saison, great champagne bubbles, nice dry finish, VERY thirst-quenching. The NW hops are also really mild, they seem to add more floral flavor and some dryness without adding much bitterness. I really had trouble rating this beer, because it was good in so many categories, but it didn't really Wow me in any of them. No flaws at all to speak of, but nothing to rave about either...

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 00:42:05 | More by Cookeeman

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Crap, I can't even remember who sent me this, but thank you! 2012 bottle.

Beer pours a slightly hazy orange/gold with a fluffy white head. Smell combines your typical yeasty saison smell with a bit of a floral/herbal aroma that I can't quite place. It all comes together very nicely to create something both unique and somehow familiar. The flavor is a little different than I expected after the nose - the floral/herbal aspect barely comes through at all in the taste. That said, it's rather unique. The first thing that strikes me is that it's a lot more bitter than I had anticipated, there is a bit of graininess here along with hints of citrus and some more traditional yeasty saison flavors. This is a rather complex beer and quite good, but after the incredibly interesting nose, I wish it had a bit more of that floral aspect in the flavor. As it warms, the floral flavors come through a little more. Mouthfeel is light and crisp, very nice. Overall, another very nice beer from Upright, but it's not quite as refreshing or easy-drinking as I would like from a saison. It's uniqueness gives it points for creativity, but perhaps detracts points for drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 21:50:53 | More by starrdogg

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance. Pours a nice rich gold with 3 fingers of thick, off-white head.

Smell. Fresh lemons, some nice floral perfume, a little bit of funky yeast, honey and grains.

Taste. Light and sweet toasted grains, some lightly bitter, herby and grassy hops, and a little of that floral perfume I smelled. Some lemon rind and maybe a little bit of peppery spices.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium carbonation.

Overall. Just a ton of flavour in a beer that still drinks easy and light. I'll be grabbing a few more of these if I still can! Wonder if that delicate floral taste will hold up long?

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 02:19:55 | More by Rutager

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a tulip glass

Pours a hazy deep gold with amber hues capped with a two and a half finger pillowy bright white head. An amazing nose of farmhouse yeast, a floral bouquet, fresh grass, and coriander. Opens with floral notes, fresh green tea, grassy hops, joined by light citrus, musty yeast, and bread dough. Finishes dry with spice, white pepper, slightly bitter grassy hops and touch of orange rind. Light, slightly fizzy carbonation, heavier side of light bodied and extremely drinkable.

One of the most complex American brewed saisons I've had to date. This truly is an amazing beer and one of Upright's finest brews. Certainly a seasonal that anyone who enjoys saisons should seek out.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 04:49:51 | More by chanokokoro

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: 3/4" cream coloured head that left a nice lacing over honey amber coloured liquid.

S: I don't know what yarrow and calendula flowers smell like, but to me this smells of cloves, dandelions, marigolds and floral perfume.

T: Chamomile tea, hibiscus, earthy and grassy hops and a slight barnyard funk over a biscuity and honey malt backbone.

M: Medium viscosity and a medium level of fine carbonation.

O: For what it is, this Saison is fantastic. However, floral flavours by themselves are often not as drinkable as they could be if they were paired with a fruit such as cherries or raspberries.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 23:59:53 | More by DaftCaskBC

claspada

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a brilliant translucent light orange-copper color with a huge billowy white head. Good retention before falling into a thick collar with a thin cap that leaves a bit of spotty lacing on the sides of the glass.

Aromas initially blend together at first, revealing only that it is a saison. As it warms the first thing to come through is a bit of spice, mostly white pepper and a bit of coriander. Earthiness and slightly doughy Belgian pils malts also then join in. Along with that is faint citrus, including a moderate amount of orange peel. Faint floral notes and a generic herbal quality are there as well. No idea what yarrow is or smells like but it could account for some of the earthy or floral aromas.

The tastes begin a bit different than the nose, but just as interesting and complex. The orange peel comes through with a bit of rind-induced bitterness. Herbal character is there throughout. Light spice, coriander, though the pepper isn't quite as strong.

The mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with moderate carbonation. The finish has a bit of mild Saison yeast dryness with a tad bit of citrus bitterness. Drinkability is off the charts on this one due to the full flavor and low ABV.

Overall another superb showing from Upright. The added spices/herbs really add a complexity without overdoing it like many brewers do. Usually I am not a fan of spice or herb added beers that aren't part of the holiday/pumpkin style but this really really works and is a perfect addition to your dining, spring, summer, fall or whenever repertoire.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 22:51:22 | More by claspada

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage, bottled recently and picked up at Belmont Station. Tasted 24 July 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours orange-yellow, cloudy enough to be opaque. Big nearly overflowing white head, fantastic retention and gobs of lacing clinging to the glass.

Smells of eponymous flowers. Has a very oily floral aroma, like I'm inhaling the essential oils of the petals. Some earthy slightly funky notes, but primarily it's light, effervescent, and flowery in a way that most flowery beers are not.

Taste is less complex and unique than the smell. Light, slightly funky, with a flower-petal / hop bitterness that persists. Definitely different than most saisons.

Mouthfeel is fine. Lighter-bodied than most, and carbonation on the low end.

A really interesting saison, showcasing the flowers that it's infused with. Light, airy, floral, and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 22:53:24 | More by zeledonia

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 3/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a murky orange amber, big white head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of fruit, especially pineapple. Dry and moderately tart with pineapple, citrus and floral flavors. Light to moderate body with prickly carbonation. Hint of brett is well integrated. A nice flavorful saison.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 19:28:58 | More by LiquidAmber

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Officially review #900.

Thanks to cmadd for sharing this one.

A - Cloudy dark yellow in colour with some hints of orange. A small amount of white head formed on the pour and reduced to a few scattered bubbles.

S - Belgian yeast, flowers, fresh cut grass and lighter citrus aromas.

T - Belgian yeast, fresh cut grass, big floral notes and a moderate overall bitterness. Some cloves and citrus in the background.

M - Medium body. Light to moderate carbonation.

O - This was truly outstanding. One of the best saisons I have had.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 22:02:55 | More by TheSevenDuffs

FosterJM

California

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

1412th Review on BA
Bottle to Bruery Taster
750ml

Thanks to GonzoIllini for sharing

App- A mix of yellows and golds as most saisons are. They color shine a little bit more and have a bit more highlights. A small amount of cling in a small glass.

Smell- The yarrow and floral notes are most upfront. The yeast and pepper and true saison notes come second. The aroma reminds me of a gruit actually.

Taste- This had a lot going on. It was dry, and a bit bitter and the floral from the flowers added another level to it. Take in the malts and it was a very unique beer and also flavorful at the same time.

Mouth- A medium body with a medium carbonation. The dry finish is a very welcome suprise on this beer and makes it very tasty.

Drink- Thanks Tony! Glad I got to try this one. Upright does some really good beers and this didnt let me down.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 04:24:50 | More by FosterJM

hopsbreath

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 batch. Time to update. After being disappointed with last year’s batch (there's a chance I simply got an off bottle), I was hesitant about giving this year a shot. Boy am I glad I did. Twice on-tap and three bottles later, I believe this one's a winner.

A: Brilliant gold, rocky impressive looking four finger head that hangs around for quite a while, and ridiculous lacing. Nothing could make this look better. 5/5

S: Complex herbal layers, citrus zest, and a classic ester profile I associate with fruitier Belgian farmhouse ales. Some slight white pepper goes a long way. 4/5

T: Bitterness is obviously from a source other than hops. It's a softer bitterness without the harsh bite that seems to come from alpha acids. Grapefruit pith dirty things up and keeps my interest. Rustic qualities with round grain profile. It's almost hard to describe due to its uniqueness among American saisons but it's extremely enjoyable. This just screams to be paired with dinner. Very food friendly. 4/5

M: Full and lush. Very silky texture that somehow finishes cleaner than expected. Although there's so much head suggesting carbonation it actually feels low-medium on the palate. Impressive perceived size for a beer hovering at 5% ABV. 4.5/5

O: The very best beer Upright has made this year. This is the third batch and the third yeast strain. I'm sure there has been some other tweaking along the way but this amalgamation is my favorite. Alex, don't change a thing next year. I'm likely getting some more bottles this year and will probably regret not buying a case once I'm out. An absolute must try if you have the chance. 4.5/5

2011 batch. 75cl bottle split between a couple Duvel tulips and shared with TulipSnifter. Bought at the brewery tasting room for $8.

A: Pale light amber in color with a big fluffy white head that recedes slowly leaving adequate lacing. Off to a great start. 4/5

S: Gone are the rich botanicals I remember from last year’s batch. A mild mannered typical herbal saison is what I get this year. Lightly floral character could just as easily be from the hops as from the flowers. 3/5

T: It's a saison. Actually comes off slightly sweet and uninspired. Simple ester's and herbal qualities makes this a better pairing for a charcuterie plate, but isn't something I'm drinking by itself when I want a provoking beer. 2.5/5

M: Slightly fuller than the ABV would hint at with moderate carbonation. This finishes just a little sticky. I'd prefer it was drier. 2/5

O: Last year’s batch seemed more interesting to me. It was more dynamic and a little tart. I'm not sure if there were other changes to the recipe, or if the yeast was the only thing that changed, but whatever happened I'm not on board. 2.5/5

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 12:59:32 | More by hopsbreath