Fatali Four - Upright Brewing Company

ccrida

Oregon

4.88/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Gold with a fluffy white head leaving nice lace.

Smell is sweet and heat, fruity esters.

Taste is fantastic. Awesome base saison with an emphasis on the yeast, but nicely integrated hop presence. The pepper finish is killer, just enough to notice behind the firm lacto pucker.

Mouthfeel is light and dry.

Drinkability is through the roof, this is a fantastic saison. The pepper note really adds some interesting depth without overwhelming the base beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 18:38:52 | More by ccrida

aasher

Indiana

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2013 release, picked up at the Fantasia release by a friend less than two weeks ago.

Fatali Four pours a light bodied, mildly cloudy and bright yellow gold in color with a two finger bright white head. It's surprising how light in color it is. The nose is bright and citrusy with a good amount of lemon with a touch of citrusy sweet followed by a moderate amount of pepper. For a pepper beer, the nose is overly complex. The flavors are all saison up front. It's light and really citrusy with a good amount of lemon and a night, almost Berliner Weiss esque tartness. The beer then goes into the pepper, leaving your mouth with a light tingle from the heat for the next five minutes. It then leaves your mouth watering. God I love this. It drinks light and crisp and the tartness is perfect. This is by far the best pepper beer I've had, and I've searched them out. This beer is definitely worth a try. It's some of Upright's finest work.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 02:11:18 | More by aasher

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big-time thanks to Thorpe for sharing this long-time want. Served alongside regular Four.

Beer pours a clear golden-orange with a thin white head. Interestingly, it's noticeably darker than the regular Four. The aroma doesn't really prepare you for what's to come, it smells more like a typical Upright saison with a hint of spice/pepper in there. The flavor, however, is a whole different story. I typically think of chile beers as a bit of a gimmick, but this beer is the first of its kind I've had that really did a fantastic job of incorporating the peppers into the flavor of the beer without having it overwhelm it. The light, slightly spicy, more typical-saison Four's flavors just meld perfectly with the spicy peppers, and you get a nice, mildly spicy kick at the end. The mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with good carbonation. Overall, I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this beer. Kudos to Upright for trying something bold and succeeding so thoroughly.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 15:55:24 | More by starrdogg

dirtylou

Washington

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, split

Well, this was quite exceptional. A light cloudy straw-orange body with a healthy white froth - very light and refreshing. Tartness perfectly in balance with a kick of heat from the chiles - funky and yeasty, lots of lemon and earthy must, dry finish. Lined this up with a spicy dish for dinner - will be going out to find more of this ASAP.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 19:10:02 | More by dirtylou

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle opened on 9.20.12.

A - Pours a cloudy medium orange with a fluffy near-white head with big bubbles that fade slowly.

S - Some spicy heat, but also a welcoming sweetness. Very unique.

T - Again, nice farmhouse mix of flora, fruit, spices, yeast and some heat in the back of the throat.

D - Lower carbonation with a medium body and a nice touch of heat.

O - Whey did I wait so long on this one? Unique and great.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 07:06:22 | More by HuskyinPDX

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.46/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

750ml pours a clear copper color. Some rising bubbles maintain a froth atop that is white in color. Some patchy lace sticks all over the glassware an a light swirl effortlessly revives the cap.

The aroma has a hint of vinegar and tart lemony fruit that is mildly funky almost with a wild character that is sonewhat tropical. The vinegar is almost briney like pickled hot peppers but in an unexpected an enjoyable way.

The taste also includes vinegar with fruity lemon and caramel to toffee grainy sweetness. There is a contrasting soicy earthen pepper quality mid palate that lasts into the aftertaste. It is very warming with the spice of the peppers across the back. This is a well blended brew that is not overdone with the spicing.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. It is light and easy drinking with a very unique and enjoyable arrangement of flavoring. You get the expected character of a saison that is somewhat wild with lemony lacto notes and then the pepper inclusion is a total twist with the perfect amount of heat. Upright really does it for me yet again. Color me impressed.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 15:34:40 | More by stakem

chumba526

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It appears medium bodied gold with a small white head.

It smells a bit sour. There is a nice fruity smell. I get a bit of a dank smell. There is an earthy spicy pepper smell as well. I also get a few citrus notes.

It tastes initially a bit sour. The sourness leads to a pleasant sweet fruity flavor. I get a nice rich spicy type of an earthy chile flavor. There are some mild citrus notes. It is very smooth and light yet flavorful. The sour flavor and the spicy flavor blend nicely with each other. This is really smooth and interesting to drink.

There is a light mouthfeel to the beer. It is lightly carbonated.

Overall a great interesting complex beer. This is the most drinkable chile beer I have ever had. One of the most unique beers I have had.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 03:05:40 | More by chumba526

hopsbreath

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (75cl) from the recent release split into a pair of Duvel glasses and shared with TulipSnifter. Bought for $12 at the Upright tasting room.

A: Pale gold body with a large tight frothy head that never fades further down than a total cap, minimal spotty lacing. Nice. 4/5

S: A signature Upright beer to be sure. Vinous fruit, light banana, gin botanicals in abundance, definite lactic notes. 4/5

T: A sour saison in my wheel house. Great citrus upfront, heavy on the lime. A touch of musty wood is discernible on the finish along with some puckering tannins and a little heat from the chile's. Not near as spicy as last year. Good tartness and juniper throughout the palate. 4.5/5

M: Full, smooth, and clean on the finish. As always, Upright nails this category. 4.5/5

O: Very good beer. Similar in a lot of ways to the anniversary beer they did for Belmont Station last year due to the similar malt base and barrel usage. If you liked the 14th anniversary, then you'll like this one. Just expect a slight heat on the finish. 4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 05:03:28 | More by hopsbreath

AlexFields

Tennessee

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy light yellow, misty like a bright morning sunrise, or whatever. Very, very light in color but still pretty cloudy.

Whoa, smells like wine, dry brett, sourness, chilis only if you really look for them--not what I was expecting. More complexity that is hard to describe...smells great.

Opens pretty sour, some farmhouse yeast, grape vinous character, then quickly fades into a dry chili tartness...I don't think I've ever had a chili sour before and I love this! Body is pretty light and dry with sour/funk complexity and spice layered on top and very well integrated. Damn tasty. God had me in mind when he invented this one, just what the doctors ordered, insert some more cliches.

Good milky mouthfeel, light fine carbonation, pretty drinkable light feel.

This is an excellent and well balanced beer both as a sour saison and a chili beer, I've never had a light chili beer with this kind of complexity and subtlety. Delicious.

9.0/10

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 02:58:16 | More by AlexFields

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance. Pours a beautiful light gold with barely a skim of bubbly white head.

Smell. Lemon juice, woody light funk and a little white wine.

Taste. Nice light sour apples and sour lemon juice. Very light funk and some awesome heat.

Mouthfeel. Below medium body with pretty light carbonation.

Overall. Great beer. Nice level of sour and heat.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:58:31 | More by Rutager

Gobzilla

California

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy golden yellow in color with pale yellow highlights and a very thin bubbly head that left very minimal wisps of lacing sticking to the glass. Citrusy and tart character were noticeable on the first whiff with a little malty sweetness, some yeasty notes and slight chile notes coming through. Very nice tart spicey flavors upfront on the palate but the chile spice is well balanced and not over done. I did get a little grain, mild bretty funk and citrusy accents. The brew was medium to light in body with moderate amount of carbonation which had a mild funky, citrusy, slightly spicey tart and subtle dry finish. Very well done beer and enjoyed it for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 00:43:18 | More by Gobzilla

yourefragile

District of Columbia

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

750 mL bottle shared by Adam. Per Adam: "This is good, but don't pour this in your eyes".

One of the better pepper beers I've had. Appearance is mildly cloudy golden citrus with a soapy off white head. Minimal retention and lacing. Aroma is deceptively tame. Citrus, mild funk with a touch of pepper. Pleasing, but suggests a tame saison with a mild kick. Flavor is similar to the aroma, initially citrus and juicy flavors dominate before some light saison funk. Finish gets hot and the long aftertaste becomes pleasant warm, singing the roof of the mouth and corners of my chest cavity. Slightly under carbonated and watery in the finish. Reminds me of my favorite, Saison Vautour with a respectable pepper addition. Very impressed.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 02:39:49 | More by yourefragile

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to sideshowe for sharing.

Pours a dark golden orange color with yellowish-orange edges and a two finger frothy white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring.  Spots of soapy lacing left behind.

Slightly earthy aroma with hints of funky farmhouse yeast along with grass, straw, light fruit and hot peppers.  Hits of apple, pear, bready yeast and zesty chilies. Peppers become more prominent as it warns but the nose is still complex with light fruit, earthy  funky and bready yeast.

Medium bodied but fuller than expected with a really nice balance of zesty spice, hot peppers, farmhouse yeast and light fruit.  Apple, pear and banana with hay, straw and a nice pepper presence that's not overly hot.  Really well balanced with the peppers nicely integrated.  Surprisingly drinkable considering the heat.  A lot of pepper/chili beers are gimick-y and insanely hot but this beer was complex, well balanced and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 00:47:20 | More by corby112

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to Libbey for this bottle...

A: Pours a light bright cloudy yellow with only a touch of pure white head. The foam settles extremely quickly, leaving a thin ring of tiny bubbles along the edges of the glass. There is no lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is nose is sweet and sour, mixed with a certain "tang" that reminds me of lemon-lime gatorade. I get a bit of saltiness in there as well. It says this beer is made with peppers, but I don't really get that from the nose. It's a mix of a bunch of scents.

T: I am met with a light bit of citrus and funk right up front. As it moves to the middle I get a bit more lemon, some "tang", and then... Boom! Peppers! The finish is hot. It's not a burn your moth off sort of hot, but it's a slow lingering burn.

M: Light bodied beer. It starts out wet and thin, is a bit watery in the middle, and move off the palate quickly. But the peppers linger for quite a bit.

O: This beer is decent. I think this bottle is a bit flat, to be honest. There just isn't much carbonation to make the flavors of the saison really pop. The heat on the back end it really enjoyable, and a bit unexpected, even though I knew it was brewed with peppers. I would love to try this again someday. I'm a real sucker for pepper beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 20:40:00 | More by trxxpaxxs

ArchEnemyBrew

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into Darkness snifter 2-7-12

A: Pours a glowing hazy yellow with a fizzy white head that lingers around the edge of the glass for a bit

S: Classic upright house yeast phenols, some cumin, chili powder and what I like most is the raw/uncooked chili aroma.

T: Classic saison characteristics, more chilis, phenols, and a bit of heat. Dry and acidic as well.

M: A very dry beer but the prickly carbonation and acidic quality make it a great quaff.

O: As my chest warms and my lips begin to burn I am finishing my beer. Not something I could have all the time or lots of, but I really enjoyed it for what it was. Nice work Upright!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 04:16:29 | More by ArchEnemyBrew

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Tried this a couple weeks ago at Upright's tasting room before a Blazers game; at the time it cut right through the sinus congestion and sore throat I had festering in me. This time (28 Nov), I had a 12 oz. pour ($2!), again at the brewery, from what was said to be the last remaining keg.

The Fatali (or Fatalii, spelled both ways), akin to Habanero and Scotch Bonnet, ranks #6 of all pepper varieties in Scoville Units (i.e. HEAT) according to wikipedia. These peppers (uncertain of the quantity) were added to barrels of Upright's standard #4 saison.

A: Golden wheat with a cloudy haze. Thin skim of white cream, a clinging ring that drips small flecks of lace. Plenty of rising carbonation.

S: Surprisingly lemony-tart 'saison' aroma, a light and fresh lemongrass more like it... not bad, but not much 'pepper' to distinguish from the usual #4.

T: Starts with a light wheat, grassy and faintly sweet. Then, after a couple seconds, a mouth-filling warmth ignites...not a searing heat, just a budding spice and lemon-pepper tang. Married with the natural floralness, peppery dryness and mild yeast 'funk' of the base beer...well, it's damn good.

M: Crisp carbonation, airy and light, with a sinus-clearing heat. A little viscous, oily coating.

D: It is the #4 (which I really enjoy) with a perfectly savory/mouth-watering warming of peppers added in perfect quantity for my tastes. Love the result and am sad to see this one go. Among the more interesting new beers I've tried all year. My vote is cast for a reappearance in 2010.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2009 19:58:17 | More by msubulldog25

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to boralyl for getting this bottle out my way. Love me some Upright. Served in a SAVOR wine glass.

Pours a nice clear golden color with a good white head and some spotty lacing as the head recedes. Thin collar throughout.

The nose has some really nice floral characteristics plus a dose of pepper in the background. Light earthiness as well. The flavor isn't quite as integrated, but is still very nice and the slight pepper heat to the finish really helps round things out. There's a bit of a fruitiness to it as well. Really nice.

Body is light and effervescent. Good heat through the finish. Another excellent saison offering from Upright. Why am I not surprised?

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 13:04:52 | More by Thorpe429

321jeff

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle provided by Adam, thanks!

Pours a cloudy amber with golden edges and a soapy white head that fades to a small collar that sticks around for the duration.

The aroma makes me think this is a barrel aged saison, some funk and oak flavors, but no hints of the spiciness that is to come....

The taste starts off mild mannered and sweet with some wine flavors and a dry funkiness, but then the spiciness hits... Mostly in the back of my throat, the spiciness takes hold. Not too spicy, but a nice burn hangs on for quite awhile after the finish.

The mouthfeel is medium with moderate carbonation, not particularly saison-y. A very interesting beer, how a "pepper" beer should be, good burn, but not so overpowering it takes away from the rest of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 02:34:49 | More by 321jeff

wethorseblanket

California

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by mrbubbler - thanks.

A: Pours a hazy yellowish orange with a decent white head.

N: Gueuze-like in the cheesy department, floral, some oak, hoppy citrus, spice.

T: True to saison form with a hot peppery finish. Spices and yeast.

M: Good carbonation yields a prickly sense on the tongue. Medium body. Peppers kick in at the end.

O: Complex mixed assembledge and very enjoyable. Would like more.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 00:14:37 | More by wethorseblanket

drabmuh

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Thorpe! A chili beer / saison, I'll try and and I ended up liking it, served in a snifter.

Beer is yellow and hazy with a wispy white head of small bubbles, some lacing, some carboantion, low retention, looks good.

Aroma is yeasty and sweet with this mild spice.

Beer is light in body, late spiciness, decent not overpowering. There is this mild floral sense and this nice vegetalness that finishes a little dry. I'd have this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 16:40:01 | More by drabmuh

draheim

Washington

4.06/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

750mL into a saison glass. Pours a hazy straw color w/ a clean white 1-finger head. Carbonation is less vigorous than most Upright saisons I've had.

Aroma is a blend of bright juicy citrus and typical grassy saison funk. Smells fresh and alive.

Taste leads off with a powerful lemony quality, vaguely grainy pale malt. Extremely clean and light. Lots of peppery spice on the finish, almost has a chile pepper heat (now that I check out some other reviews, apparently it actually is a chile pepper heat - good to know I can trust my palate). Heat coats the tongue and throat, at just the right level. Highly acidic.

Mouthfeel is crisp and light, refreshing, drinkable. Finishes dry.

Overall another interesting, tasty saison from Upright. Along with Logsdon they pretty much have the domestic saison market cornered.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 06:04:27 | More by draheim

Urbancaver

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Side by side of four and fatali four. An interesting comparison

Both pour a clear golden orange with lots of carbonation. The regular four has a crazy amount of head. Fatali four is fairly minimal headed. Both smell a bit funky. The fatali has a nice kick of pepper on the nose. Both have a wheaty saison scent that is great. Both taste nice and wheaty. A nice funk. The fatali has a huuuuge pepper on the back of the tongue. They are both really solid saisons! The moth feel is solid. Smilar carbonation on both. Overall both are tasty. Fatali is incredible compared to the base beer. Very unexpected :)

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 00:26:57 | More by Urbancaver

womencantsail

California

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

Thanks for sharing this one, Mark. Sounds interesting...

A: Pours a cloudy straw color with a large white head that settles down to a thin layer and leaves some nice lacing.

S: Initially this pretty much just smells like the regular Four with a lot of lemon juice and lactobacillus. A touch of fruitiness, especially citrus, but then the peppers start to creep in and give off a spiciness and earthiness that is quite well balanced.

T: The tartness of the beer starts things off and is quite pleasing. The pepper flavor seems really subtle and for the most part I pick up pale malts and just a nice earthiness from the peppers. A few seconds after taking a sip, however, the peppers give off a nice heat that lingers in the back of the throat.

M: The body is light to medium with a moderate to high carbonation.

D: Not always the biggest chili beer fan, but the peppers played well with the tartness of the beer and were not overdone.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 17:45:03 | More by womencantsail

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

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

pour is light yellowish orange with a tight white head. The nose is very interesting and has a nice light spice to it. Minty and sweet bright apricot with a sweet doughy aspect and light vanilla. The taste is similar, spicey, interestingly sweet and doughy. The peppery spice is more assertive with the fruit favors still bright, a touch acetic and rather sour. The body is well carbonated, light and airy.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 15:32:49 | More by cpetrone84

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My fourth Upright beer, and incidentally, the fourth one to begin with an "F." Hmm...thanks to msubulldog25 for this and every other Upright beer I've had.

From the label: "a barrel-aged wheat beer with chiles." Had never heard of the Fatali (or Fatalii) chili before this.

The pour results in an amazingly cloudy peachy/sunset yellow/gold color. The head is built of larger-than-normal bubbles, kind of soapy looking.

The smell is wonderful. Led by a funky yeast earthiness, a tart, intensely aromatic citrus rind character comes in right behind it. These traits are bold and out front, very Belgian farmhouse in character. A tart, sharp white wine-like presence is here too, maybe reminding most of Chablis or champagne. Chili isn't detected in the nose.

Fatali Four has an attractive and complex taste. Chili is bold and folded over all other flavors, somehow never intrusive despite being so prevalent. A vinous character again reminds of Chablis, sharp and acidic and tart, and the wood seems to be the thing lending a dry and super-earthy element to the overall flavor picture. Yeast gives a dirty/earthy twist. Zesty lime rind sweetness and tartness come in too, and this tartness, along with the heat, carry through strongest in the finish.

Feel is dry, crisp, buoyant, yet still with substantial weight and considerable carbonation. Spiciness plays with the dryness and makes the mouth feel nicely fiery.

One of the most interesting beers I've had in ages. Fatali Four is an intensely flavorful beer that has to be taken slowly, or its sharper intensities can become overbearing. And I'm taking it slowly, I've got all night.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 22:07:18 | More by Metalmonk