White Birch Farmhouse Red - White Birch Brewing

CHADMC3

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours hazy amber to toffee brown with reddish copper hues and a one-inch off white head that leaves only faint traces of white lacing behind.

Aromas consist of wild yeast, hints of sour and tart fruits like berries or black cherries and perhaps similar fruits that are tough to decipher.

The flavor is very unique, it seems leafy or earthy, some parts tart, others tea-like. There is a malt compliment to this beer, but nothing substantial. I think I may be getting some plum like flavors as well and maybe even a touch of sugar.

This ale is medium to light in body with medium carbonation and a part puckering, part drying finish similar to a tart sparkling wine.

I am not sure I have ever had a beer quite like this; it is diverse in flavor and aroma enough to possibly fit into multiple categories. The funky yeast combined with the tart fruit characteristics led me to believe it is a Flanders Red as well as the label stating it was a “farmhouse red” Belgian Style Ale.

*Please note that to my knowledge I am the first to review this beer and may have incorrectly classified its style but believe it to be accurate based on the bjcp style guidelines.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 23:06:05 | More by CHADMC3

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-01-2013 03:35:24 | More by spycow

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

04-23-2013 05:34:19 | More by Kelp

mdaschaf

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

03-02-2013 19:10:55 | More by mdaschaf

ichorNet

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Darker than I expected; opaque ruddy brown-copper with reddish highlights. Considerable retention with spotty, inconsistent lacing

Scent: A bit estery, though malty upfront with notes of caramel and red velvet cake, tangy and earthy hops and some floral/fruity scents floating around

Taste: Chewy malt is layered with some spicy/earthy (Saaz?) hop notes and nutty, dry yeast producing a little dry fruit character. Funky yeast is present through most of the glass

Mouthfeel: Slightly grainy with a definite malt drag and some acerbic harshness but nothing out of the ordinary for WB. Carbonation is medium; solid

Drinkability: This is a drink to pour and to ponder. I can’t imagine downing it quickly, as it feels nice when sipped slowly. Middling ABV helps though, for sure

Overall: An interesting beer operating in a grey area between Belgian amber and Saison; I would recommend this to people looking for interesting Belgian-style ales doing a bit of border-crossing, but only if you appreciate the American cross-strain way of doing things. As far as White Birch goes, this is fairly normal and, though it has some exciting and unique flavors, is too closely within their Belgian yeast repertoire to deserve honors or specific praise. I definitely like it, though. I feel like it would be a great discussion piece among friends.

Read full review @ http://blogs.lowellsun.com/beer/2012/12/28/white-birch-farmhouse-red/

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 06:15:48 | More by ichorNet

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled Fall 2012:

Into a chalice:

A: deep dark amber colored body yielding a nice foamy very level off-white head that lasts for a good minute before gently dieing into the body. The body is too dark for any carbonation to be seen rising. Typical sediment of a saison at the bottom of my chalice.

S: dark fruits up front with the typical farmhouse yeast with the added hay and spices.

T: dry with the same smells coming out and bringing in some plums and grains.

M: medium with some sharpness on the tongue, sessionable.

O: I never thought I'd ever review another saison/farmhouse since I'm not a fan, but since this isn't as bad some others I've had, I will say this, I'd have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 19:07:02 | More by kangarooAdam59

trevorpost

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +9%

10-21-2012 01:30:38 | More by trevorpost

ms11781

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

07-29-2012 15:20:21 | More by ms11781

Giantspace

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

07-18-2012 03:44:28 | More by Giantspace

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a: This was a deep, clear amber color. It poured with a large, firm, sticky head.

s: Dark fruit aromas compliment more traditional farmhouse elements like yeasty hay and some spiciness.

t: Dry overall with a very noticeable and enjoyable fruit note. (Plums? Raisins?) Some barnyard, prickly Belgian yeast, and grains.

m: A bit heavier than some farmhouse ales with spritzy carbonation.

o: This dark saison comes together extremely well. I enjoyed my last bottle last night, very sad that they are all gone already.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 00:06:21 | More by DIM

HEADYdb

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -11.4%

06-02-2012 13:29:21 | More by HEADYdb

Turbojet307

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +36.2%

03-02-2012 00:12:07 | More by Turbojet307

FrankLloydMike

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +9%

12-12-2011 15:33:57 | More by FrankLloydMike

rab53

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +9%

12-10-2011 04:05:29 | More by rab53

SirSketch

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - A bit of a gusher, but settles to a wonderfully fluffy, light tan head. The beer is a very cloudy, muddy orange color. It even looks like a soulful, small batch beer!

S - I first noticed the Brett character, which smells tart and of dry hay, followed by honey and rye malt.

T - Much hoppier than I expected, but it works so well! Firm bitterness melds with a sweet, chewy caramel flavor. The Brett now plays a supporting role to a floral, vegetal hoppiness.

M - Starts sticky but ends dry. Medium bodied and very carbonated.

O - Partly a saison, partly a Belgian IPA. An incredible combination.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 02:54:25 | More by SirSketch

dwescott

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

11-17-2011 18:08:19 | More by dwescott

gestyr

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tulip glass

A: Pours a cloudy. dusky red with 2 fingers of head. The head leaved lacing as it dissipates. Lots of tiny bubbles rising through the glass.

S: Various fruits, caramel, malty no hint of hops. no alcohol scent.

T: Dark fruits, slightly sour. Very wine-like. Slight alcohol aftertaste.

M: Medium bodied. No carbonation sting.

O: A good beer. The flavor is refreshing and complex. I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 23:39:41 | More by gestyr

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Moderate, but lasting beige head. Leaves some slippery spots of lace on the glass. Cloudy liquid. Dark amber color.

Dry and earthy aroma. Mostly toasted malts. Little to no hop. Mild alcohol on the nose.

Prickly from the carbonation and the elevated hop flavor. This beer starts off with a thinner feel and heavily toasted (but not burnt) malt flavor. The alcohol is evident but not powerful. The aftertaste is the strongest tasting aspect of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 18:26:40 | More by smcolw

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

2.2/5  rDev -40.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

22oz into Lost Abbey tulip. 6.49, great to see a lower price on WB (Bottles were going for $15 when they first hit the scene).

A- Dirty blonde on the pour and brown/red in the glass. Slightly off-white head that has some pretty thick lacing. 1cm in height.

S- Weird tropical fruit.. not appealing.

T- A nice bitter, earthy, chalky start. Pretty sweet fruity malt, red grape, plum, red delicious apples. Gets kind of ashy in the finish, though, which takes it in a bad direction. Beer sits weird on the tongue.

M- Could use more carbonation. Would prob. help smooth it out a bit.

O- Interesting moreso than good.. it's not bad, it's in the middle. It's not a saison, it's a strange red ale. I expected more.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 22:55:12 | More by ShogoKawada

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.2/5  rDev -40.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Thanks to aapp for sending this bottle out my way. Served in a Mikasa tulip.

Pour a hazy light copper with a thin white head and some spotty lacing. The nose has some faint earth and light bread. The flavor is mildly malty with a bit of earth. Grain and bread crust. Nothing really coming from the yeast. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Not terribly impressive, unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 10:48:07 | More by Thorpe429

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

2.8/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle shared by Thorpe429. Thanks Mike!

The beer has a mild haze and appears orange hued. The head is white and thin, fading rapidly. The aroma is odd, with fruit, funk, malt, and a generally odd scent. The flavor isn't particularly enjoyable either. This beer is just a bit off. Low carbonation. Not a repeat.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 01:12:15 | More by Huhzubendah

lordofthewiens

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

In a pint glass this beer was a hazy red/orange color. The medium-sized tan head receded quickly.

Caramel malt aroma. Sweet and spicy.

Caramel taste to begin with, then some sour fruit. Spicy at the end.

The tastes all worked well with one another. Soft, then acerbic, sweetness. Late spice. I liked how things worked together.

Will try this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 23:15:14 | More by lordofthewiens

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy murky reddish brown with a one finger bubbly beige head that slowly recedes. Smells of caramel, brown sugar and biscuit with a hint of fruit and spice. Taste is rich and malty with lots of caramel sugar and dark fruits. Hints of pepper and spice round out the taste. Medium body with a spirited level of carbonation, sweet almost sticky mouthfeel. I enjoyed this one. It really wasn't what I was expecting, but it is a tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 23:04:26 | More by johnnnniee

depechemode1983

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours out orange/brown in color. Decent off-white head with good retention. Sorta foamy. Splotchy lacing going on around the tulip.

S - Citrus hops in the nose and lots of sweet tropical fruits. Very aromatic. Picking up pineapple, orange,and some bitter grapefruit in the background to give it some balance. There seems to be some caramel malts in there as well, hidden among the fruit along with a sorta sour mildew scent.

T - More bitter than the nose would suggest. More of a red ale than a Saison. Lots of citric hops going on with some underlying pineapple and orange sweetness. Caramel malts are still present. There is a little funk if you dig for it but not much.

M - Good feel. A little slick. Getting a lot of hop oils. Medium bodied and carbonation is sorta bubbly. I like it.

O - My first White Birch beer. Not like any other Saison Ive had.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 01:15:34 | More by depechemode1983

rtepiak

Poland

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

not a flanders red but a saison made on toasted malt.

pour is like an american red with not that much of a belgian head. a bit sticky but you can tell its not american yeast. nose is yeasty foremost. toastiness, mild apple sour acidulation. touch of bosc pear. palate is yeasty texture and a very dry and distinct sesame seed. mineral dry feel. a bit of booze and plum pulp. thyme spicey. this is a good render of belgian. reminds me of La Moneuse Spéciale Noël. a harvest drink. but the alcohol separates a bit as it warms and the malt has the fingernail note to it.

great with turkey, cranberries, and rosemary bread. good for autumn at large.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 02:49:14 | More by rtepiak