Four Play - Upright Brewing Company

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.95/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks metalgdog for bringing this to the tasting.
The beer pours a hazy pink-orange with no head. The nose is a touch sour with a bit of funk and fruit, but very little in the way of Pinot barrels. The taste is a semi-sweet with a bit of stone fruit and lingering tartness.This is a genuinely drinkable sour that's not overly sour with great fruit character, but is still lacking wine barrel characteristics I'd hope for. The beer drinks like a wine with great sour/tartness and carbonation, but it lacks the oakiness and dry, vinous characteristics I think a beer like Supplication does so well by comparison.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 21:32:49 | More by ThePorterSorter

merc7186

New York

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into taster glass.

A: Pink Hue, Passes Some Light, White Head, Mild Lacing

S: Pinot Noir, Mild Cherries, Mild Apricots

T: Bitter Cherries, Pinot Noir, Mild Sour Mash

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Semi Bitter

Overall, pretty good for a nice wine sour beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 01:35:31 | More by merc7186

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

pour is grapefruit orange with thin to no white head. The nose is woody, strong fruity Brett, sour cherry, note of green apple. Taste follows suit, lots of sour cherry, oak and fruity Brett, light lacto. Body is very dry, light and a bit granular. Still very nice, very fruity and Brett, decent sourness, and nice oaky presence.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 14:16:30 | More by cpetrone84

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

#500
Batch #2.

Appearance. Pours a nice peach-amber with a finger of white (maybe slightly pink, actually) head that fades pretty quickly to a skim.

Smell. Sour and lightly tart fruits; tart cherries, apples, peaches, and nectarines with a little strawberry and melon. A little bit woody and a little bit funky. Smells pretty awesome.

Taste. Sour light fruits and cherries, not nearly the huge fruit taste that I expected from the amazing smell, but still very nice. Some old dank wood and a little dry earthy funk. Fairly light flavours ...not watery, just lighter.

Mouthfeel. Medium-light body with medium+, lively carbonation.

Overall. Very nice beer. Happy to celebrate my incredibly important contribution to mankind in writing my 500th beer review with this sexy lady!!! ;-P

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 02:48:55 | More by Rutager

DenverLogan

Colorado

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

Apricot with particulates floating...minimal head. Aroma of fruit rind and funk. Tasty tart fruit but not overwhelming. Rich and tasty of apricot, mango, lemon, lime, herbs, some bitterness, but overall really tasty. Would happily drain a big bottle, though it's not for everyone.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 23:21:18 | More by DenverLogan

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.05/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured an orangish color with a nice white cap and some bubbles

S: Cherries, some cream with some old wood, horseblanket and a touch of lemon?

T: The cherries are an immediate with red wine which provides some light grape blended with some oak, Earth, funk and a stinkging lacto presence with a light hay and lemon squeeze

M: Well carbonated, medium body with a unique feel from wine like silky texture, lacto and the traditional dryness of a farmhouse. All uniquely blended

O: Good

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 13:36:08 | More by barleywinefiend

SpdKilz

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yet another massive thanks to Matt (bauermj) for letting me try this big want of mine. Tick! Second batch (bottle without the nudity).

Appearance – Pours into a tulip with hazy dark orange color with about a half finger of white head.

Smell – The nose, while not as impressive as Sole Composition, was quite nice with cherries, malts, slight barnyard funk, and a distinct earthiness.

Taste – Nice oak, barnyard funk, and lemon zest up front. The tart cherries come through midway in a fantastic manner. Slight vanilla, grape skin, and more sourness at the end.

Mouthfeel – Medium bodied, decent carbonation.

Overall – An incredible beer, and one I am happy to have tried. One of the highlights of the tasting for sure. Really wish I could get my hands on one of these but I feel this will be my one and only time trying this.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 01:14:38 | More by SpdKilz

drabmuh

Maryland

4.47/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I wish this bottle had the nipples on it, instead it was some girl in a bra. Thanks Thorpe for the PG13 version of this beer. Seriously though, a want of mine.

Beer is yellow and hazy with a nice white head of small bubbles, some carbonation, some lacing, decent looking.

Aroma is awesome though. Yeast, sweetness, mild cherries, other fruits, nice breadiness. Great.

Beer is medium to light in body and complex on the palate, it is a mixture of yeast and fruits and esters. The whole thing comes together so well. Strong but sweet, tart but not too dry. I loved this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:49:11 | More by drabmuh

mdfb79

New York

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 01/08/12 notes. Big thanks to Thorpe429 for sharing this one; thanks Mike! 2011 vintage I believe.

a - Pours a murky orange-pink color with one finger of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of sour fruits, tart cherries, white wine, grapes, light earthy notes. Very nice and refreshing, though not super sour.

t - Tastes of tart cherries, very sour dark fruits, raspberries, oak, wine, sour grapes, fruity malts. More tart cherries and more sourness overall than the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty dry and very easy to drink.

o - Overall I thought this was an awesome saison. Last week we had Upright's Late Harvest and Seven and I thought this was much better than both (though they were both great beers too). Tons of sour cherries and dark fruits here, especially in the taste, and I felt like I could have drank the whole bottle. Something I'd love to get another of.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 01:09:34 | More by mdfb79

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.78/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Thorpe429. Thanks Mike.

The beer is hazy and bright orange with a quarter inch of thick, white head. The aroma offers cherries, yeast, light funk. Smells awesome. Great flavor as well. Cherries shine through. This beer challenges my will. It's hard not to gulp this. Simply fantastic. Masterful. Would love to have more of this. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 20:12:18 | More by Huhzubendah

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to sweemzander for sharing this one. 2011 bottle.

Cloudy orange pink hue. Finger of white head. The nose is rather complex. Spices, lots of wood, pinot, flowers, mild tartness, and a sugary sweetness as well. The flavors are mildly sour, floral, bretty, woody with a pleasant fruity sweetness. A bit of mineral like flavor in the finish. Medium body with plenty of carbonation. This was a true pleasure to drink. Would love another shot at it.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 21:12:49 | More by beerwolf77

andrewinski1

Maine

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Generously sent my way by Derek. Thanks! This is poured into a tulip with a light fluffy half inch head that shrinks to a rim of bubbles. The color is nice and clear pink.

The aroma is full of slightly sweet cherry and malt candy, with a touch of tartness.

The taste is dry and tart, hitting the sides of the tongue with sour cherry. Vanilla sweetness is hinted at somewhere as I keep drinking. Yum.

This is light and crisp with sharp carbonation.

This is really really good. I've had it before and hopefully I'll have it again!

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 03:12:47 | More by andrewinski1

Bendurgin

Maine

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've had this before (thanks to oregonskibum) but Andy is sharing this bottle with me. Thanks! Poured into a tulip. This one pours a nice light pink color with a cap of white head. Looks spritzy indeed!

A little bit of a sour cherry or cranberry aroma here. Very light on the aroma; nicely tart with a little bit of sweetness in the background. A pleasant oak aroma rounds this out. Tart cherries on the pallet with an oak finish. Really light and easy flavors.

Light body with lively carbonation. Overall this one's solid. Enjoyable as heck and real easy to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 02:58:46 | More by Bendurgin

craytonic

District of Columbia

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Excellent Saison

Appearance: Red-ping pour with good head and lacing

Smell: Touch of sour and light funk with cherries, red grapes, leather, earth

Taste: Similar to the aroma, very night light tartness with some citrus, cherries, grapes, vanilla, oak, leather and funk. Delicious.

Mouthfeel: Good medium, firm body and carbonation

Drinkability: One of the top american saisons I have had, and only 5%! They need to expand production significantly.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 15:27:23 | More by craytonic

johnbjaeger

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2011 version.

Not sure how on earth this is a Saison, but I've got to say it's a damn fine sour.

Pours out of a bottle that has boobies on it. Boobies are good and all, but I wonder how much attention this bad boy gets with a picture of trees on it.

Beautiful color like the inside of a peach near its pit. Murky as all heck, but really pleasant to look at.

Smells like a Cantillon. Dusty, musty, sour and cherry. If I were tasting this blind, I'd guess lambic all day.

Tastes like one too. It tastes like a kriek. A really nice kriek. It's mature unlike a lot of American Wilds. It's tart is balanced nicely with cherry sweetness. I could drink this all day.

Mouthfeel is downright perfect.

I wish this beer were easier to get a hold of. It is a great beer that I can drink in volume. Stupid Portland getting all the good stuff...

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 02:13:57 | More by johnbjaeger

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle with the bra label. Served in a Mikasa tulip.

Pours a light copper color with a bit of a reddish hue. Good white head and a bit of lacing. The nose has a beautiful cherry presence with a bit of light funk in the background. The flavor has great cherry with a subtle funk plus a bit of hay. Light earth and a bit of acidity. Light body with fairly-high carbonation. Slight pucker to the finish. Utterly delicious.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 02:06:55 | More by Thorpe429

maximum12

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Big shaky-head thanks to piclee for shipping the bottle as an extra almost a year ago. Can that be right? Huh. Well, I'm still wearing the cool-ass t-shirt that came in that box too. Split into two goblets for the wife & I.

2010 vintage 750ML bottle, the bottle with absolutely stunning artwork, & only partially because of the gorgeous half-naked woman on it. Pour is an almost physchedlic orange, perfectly clear, with few enough bubbles rambling around slowly that I could count them if I had a few more fingers & toes. Headless. Smell is lovely too, nice light breeze of cherry tartness, light touch of oak & wine. Nice, simple, direct.

Four Play is the complete package, pardon the pun, & my kind of saison/wild: tart. Tart cherries dominate, but the pinot & oak come on strong (Pinot is my favorite kind of wine, coincidentally, so nice call, Upright!). Other sprays of fruit include pear, lemon zest, maybe a lime that escaped the fate of adorning a Corona bottle, white grapes, oh hell, pretty much most of the good stuff you can find at Byerly's. This is like a good fruit cocktail w/a wine chaser. Light & spritzy, this should come in Forties so I could put away forty ounces at a time. My half of the bottle is almost gone. And I weep, just a little.

I've been on a run of sampling really great stuff & this brew extended that run. Tasty, different, joyous, drinkable...what's not to like? Excellent beer that runs close to being simply fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 02:57:10 | More by maximum12

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one during the 'We Want The Funk!' tasting that was graciously hosted by beermeX2! Big thanks goes out to beermeX2 for sharing this one with the group! 2011 Vintage! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller flute. Poured orange with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, sour, tart, and wood. The flavor was of sweet malt, sour, tart, wood, dark fruit, and cherries. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this brew was very good. I really loved how the flavor puckered your face up upon your first sip, but you got used to it by your third sip. The barrel and fruit treatment on this base beer completely changed this one. An excellent example of what a few tweeks can do for a beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 19:29:16 | More by thagr81us

badboyrsl84

California

2.2/5  rDev -48.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours a strawberry color in the glass with a fizzy white head that disappears to only a lacing around the beer itself.

Smell- very acidic, citrus acid and vinegar smell. I don't get much else. Possible hint of fruit.

Taste- very acidic and strong sour taste runs this bad boy to the ground. Cherry sourness and some wine barrel hints.

Overall- its not worth the hype in my eyes. I would pass on this.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 00:15:36 | More by badboyrsl84

AgentZero

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Jason for sharing this one.

A - Orangish colored beer with a small off-white head that left some minor spots on the sidees. A little darker than I was expecting for Saison.

S - A decent amount of cherries, some wood, wine-like quality, and a touch of farmy yeast. It's an intersting blend, I don't usually think fruit for a saison, but so far I'm curious.

T - Wine from the barrels comes through and makes itself felt on the taste. Some oak, brett, sour cherries, and a bit of phenolic yeast blend together fairly well.

M - Lower carbonation, lighter-side of medium bodied.

O - Decent beer, not a traditional Saison, and maybe not a Saison at all. Easy enough to drink, and wouldn't say no to it if I had the opportunity to drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 22:14:46 | More by AgentZero

glid02

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Grant – much obliged!

Pours a hazy brownish-copper color with a slightly off-white head that leaves decent lacing.

Smells of medium malts with large amounts of tart cherries and hints of lactic sourness. Also present are hints of light oak, tannins, and funk. A very complex nose.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though not quite as impressive. Mildly dry medium malts up front are joined quickly by tart cherry and berry flavors. Midway through smooth oak and funk come into play before they are smoothed by hints of lactose that carry through to a crisp ending. Mouthfeel is good, with active carbonation.

Overall I was a big fan of this beer; there’s a lot going on but the different components manage to retain their integrity. Very much worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 17:28:58 | More by glid02

ottovon

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

shared by ejyoung.

A: a hazy brownish-pink color with no head.

S: a nice lactic aroma with cherries. a little bit of oak, with hints of bread and yeast.

T: acidic and sour. I get cherries and some oak. Some vinous character as well. this is not overyly sour, but a nice acid bite.

M: thin body, and highly carbed.

O: a very good offering. would definitely drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 04:12:33 | More by ottovon

Sean9689

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes to Jason for this one. Poured into Bruery tulip.

A - Pours a peachy/pink color, white fizzy head, whisps on top, and a thin ring around things out. Love the color, very cool.

S - Lacto, sour/tart fruity notes, oak.

T - Sour/tart, slight funk, big fruit character, oak, lacto, short tart finish.

M - Light body, fizzy carbonation, crips, dry finish.

O - Really enjoyable. The only thing I could find with this beer I didn't like is the short finish. Very solid sour and would def have again if someone offered it up.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 17:26:34 | More by Sean9689

RSchaeffer

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review #10
2011 Release - 750mL

A - Pours ruby grapefruit in color, bubbly white head that disappears in a rush, leaving a faint ring around the glass. Virtually no lacing.

S - I love the nose on this. Upon popping the cap, I was hit with strong pinot aroma, then tart, sour cherries. Subtle hints of oak, vanilla, and funk.

T - Tart, sour cherries, hints of oak and vanilla that follow the nose. The pinot flavors blend nicely, adding to the complexity.

M - Clean, crisp finish. Light/Medium body with just the right amount of carbonation. Very refreshing.

O - I want more of this. I know there is high demand because of the label and name, which is clever, however there is a fantastic beer lurking in those bottles.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 21:59:56 | More by RSchaeffer

illidurit

California

4.15/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle at the May Santa Cruz tasting. Pours hazy dark pinkish orange with a small white filmy head. Aromas of black cherries, candied lemon peel, and a touch of chlorine. Flavor is very kriek-ish but without the punishing sourness. Not to say it isn't sour, because it is. Tart cherries and unripe citrus dominate, with wine-barrel tannins really sticking the acid to the tongue. A very nice beer despite a silly label.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 21:37:23 | More by illidurit