Fatali Four - Upright Brewing Company

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

it's actually FATALII four, but whatevs.

33 oz stone growlerfull for a fiver. hazy golden. perfumey aroma brings to mind rose petals and fresh cut grass with a hint of funky stinkweed. that funk evolves when pondered upon to something more farmy.. its mingling with the hops show a real hint of orvallian wonder.

initially, a straight up wit with hop balance and a brett zing. the flavor follows through with some mid-grade yet lingering heat.. and not like a burn, more like a buzz. the pepper flavors are present upon warmth, and nose breathing brings more heat to the party. some real nice fruitiness comes together with the yeast on top of the peppers.

damn, this is one of the best fruit beers i've ever tasted. and this being the bottom of the last keg, i think i inherited some extra testes-enhancing scorch. no worries, i can handle it.

Serving type: growler

11-24-2009 07:24:56 | More by goodbyeohio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

jdense

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle of latest batch shared with Tyler Brown at Barley Brown's 5.28.11, side-by-side tasting with Hot Blonde.

Half finger slightly off-white head on top of slightly haze medium gold body, no visible carbonation. Big dose of funk in the nose totally subsumed any chile aromatics, threw some lemon-like esters, floral hops pushed into the background. Taste mirrors the nose, brett inspired funk, more sour than tart, though I was surprised how little chile was present, got minimal warming, certainly paled in heat and chile aroma comparison with the Hot Blonde. Mouthfeel medium, decent effervescence, pretty dry finish. The PDX homies told me this was more sour than previous batches, and I'm alright with that, though wish more chile heat had shown through.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 13:38:51 | More by jdense

sweemzander

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750mL bottle poured into a tulip. Thanks to Jason for the bottle!

(A)- Pours an orange hue. Some white froth and lace.

(S)- A subtle grassy lemon wheat background with a spicy front with some oak and chiles.

(T)- Similar to the smell. Much more chile in the finish, but it fits. Definitely spicy in a pepper heat sort of way.

(M)- A good carbonation level and balance. The chile hits you right on the finish.

(D)- An interesting twist on the style with the hefty spicy chiles. You cannot see much from the barrel aging aspect, but the chiles sure throw their weight around. I will be the first to say I really do not care for really spicy chile-type of beers, but this one is more up my alley than most I have had.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 17:35:29 | More by sweemzander

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

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

Sean9689

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks, Jason! Bottle into Bruery tulip.

A - Pours a mirky golden yellow, small white head, thin collar.

S - Light oak, funky musty notes, medium level of sour/tart noes, hay, and a hint of peppers. The peppers aren't too evident, just ever so slight.

T - This is where the peppers hit you. The sour/tart notes are really nice and the spicy notes from the peppers really hit you on the back end. Notes of citrus, hay, funk, peppers, oak. It's not overly hot, so I'm albe to enjoy a nice pour. The finish is light tartness followed by a peppery punch in the throat.

M - Light body, good carbonation, dry spicy finish.

O - Upright really uses the peppers in a good way with this beer. With so many spiced beer disasters, it's nice to see this one turn out for the good. I would definitely have this one again...really unique and quite good.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 15:22:13 | More by Sean9689

Phelps

Arizona

3.73/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by ejyoung, this is a wheat ale aged in oak with chile peppers. Poured into a tulip.

Pale, cloudy apricot in color. The head is thin and ephemeral, fading from light white to nothingness within just a few seconds.

The wheat is obvious in the aroma, as are the chiles. Behind those I get light bits of pear, white pepper and crackers. Fairly sweet overall.

A little funkier in the flavor, playing off the wheat. Swishing the beer around the tongue delivers a soft chile heat, which is interesting with the fruity pear and wheat flavors.

Medium-light body, effervescent and very fizzy. The chile heat is enticing, but never gets out of control. Crisp.

I never thought to add chiles to a beer as light as this Belgian-style thing, but it works. A nice blend of crisp fruit, funk and heat. I dig it.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 04:42:11 | More by Phelps

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

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

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

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

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

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

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Brewery Creek. Crazy and yummy. Frosty golden yellow body with a small white head. Some lace. Funky aroma. Sourness and spice drives good drinkability.Grapefruit, lemon,vinegar and sugar. Best Uplands yet, despite big carbonation. A little bretty, a beer soup.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 15:05:48 | More by northyorksammy

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