Cellar Door - Stillwater Artisanal Ales

craytonic

District of Columbia

2.45/5  rDev -40.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Appearance: Straw-glden pour with an agressive head

Smell: SOmething off about this one, sage or something. Very odd smell.

Taste: Again, pepper, citrus, and then the sage just destroys it. Like you put weeds in the beer. Also a bit soapy.

Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated, very aggressive. It detracts from the saison

Drinkability: I wasn't crazy about this one, poured half of it out.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 02:51:26 | More by craytonic

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a tulip. Thanks to onedropsoup for this.

4.5 A: Lightly hazed light orange color. Three fingers of pillowy white head with very good retention and plenty of lacing too.

3.5 S: Plenty of herbalness in here and somewhat flowery. Cilantro, lemongrass, and basil come through. Lemony fruitiness. Almost overbearingly musky, but it needs a brett component to make it fit in. Hops are grassy and somewhat citrusy. Overall, really dry. There's no doubt this is complex, it just doesn't come together all that well.

3.0 T: Like the nose, this is super dry - dry even for a saison. The main flavor is a dusty muskiness. There's some pepper spiciness and a touch of herbalness again, but no flavors even approach the musk. Lightly lemony. Not nearly as complex as the nose and not particularly tasty either.

3.0 M: Light body. Carbonation is a bit higher than desirable and a bit bity as well. Could definitely be creamier as well.

2.5 D: I don't understand how the Stillwater saisons got hyped. This and Stateside are both pretty mediocre. Not really anything good about this other than the appearance.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 21:53:19 | More by DavoleBomb

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A friend left this with me over the holidays, now breaking it open. It pours darker golden amber color, just a little hazed, with a large white pillowy head. The aroma is strongly spiced, sage I guess, much more of a leading aroma than citra hops. Maybe almost a letdown, I'd been hoping for more citrusy hops.

The sage leads the flavor too, I'm not gonna say yucky but I'm thinking bad thoughts. Definitely not gonna have a second glass, I really like my saisons with less spiciness.

Blech.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 23:52:39 | More by TurdFurgison

Onzipedia

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasted this on tap at Max's Taphouse on Baltimore. This is a sage infused artisan saison.

Pours a golden light orange with a soapy head that fades after a couple of minutes.

Nose has strong citrus and herbal notes.

Taste has a strong citris zing, pefume, pepper, lemon/herb flavors. I don't know that I would identify the sage if it wasn't listed as a saison with sage.

Mouthfeel is crisp, highly carbonated.

This is a bit more bitter than I like a saison. A lot of zing and well carbonated, would make a nice braising liquid for poultry (lemon/sage). However, my taste may have been skewed, as I had just finished a Heavy Seas Great Pumpkin, which was much sweeter and spicier by contrast. I will give it a go again if its still in Max's rotation and re-review.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2010 21:01:04 | More by Onzipedia

Stigs

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

16oz pour at Monk's Cafe, served in a standard pint glass

A - very hazy, bright yellow/gold. thin layer of tiny white bubbles which settled quickly, about zero lacing.

S - fruity and lightly tart. spicy wheat and some field-like funk.

T - very heavy on the lemon, almost stales like a somewhat grainy and stale Shandy. some lingering grassy bitterness at the end along with apples and a slight bit of yeasty funk.

M - found this to be extremely thin, and dull. carbonation was on the lighter side where it needed to be a bit more active.

D - not bad, but overall I didnt enjoy it very much. moderately refreshing,just not up my alley as far as Saisons go.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2010 14:52:16 | More by Stigs

MasterSki

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle purchased at West Lakeview Liquors. Served in a Kuhnhenn tulip.

A - Pours with a big persistent soapy foam that settles to a thin cap, but leaves behind little lace. The body is semi-hazed and golden in color, with some visible streams of bubbles.

S - Very spicy and peppery, with plenty of yeast and sage character coming through. The malt character is in the periphery and yields some unmalted wheat and stone fruit sweetness. A little soapy.

T - Taste has more balance between malt sweetness and zesty, spice, and wheat chaff. Still fairly yeasty, but mingled with citrus and other fruity esters. Fairly clean in the finish, with a bit of bitterness.

M - Zesty carbonation, too much in my book. Medium-thin body, that finishes dry but slightly sticky at the same time if that makes any sense.

D - I had a glass of this, but I wouldn't but it again. Too much spice and too bubbly for my liking. Not a bad beer, but I'm not sure why there is so my buzz for this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 16:40:00 | More by MasterSki

argock

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from 25oz brown bottle into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date. Purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $10.99.

A: Luminescent pale yellow with billowing, forthy 2- finger white head with nice lacing.

S: Strong lemon citrus with a solid component of yeast and pale malt. I don't get a lot of the wheaty twang in the nose.

T: Overtly citrus to a fault without the usual crispness of a saison. It is nearing puckeringly sour, but the pale and wheat maltiness does provide a fight with some non-tart sweetness. The sage is present and accentuates the citrus flavor pretty nicely. The flavor is unique, but it is too much citrus without much of an earthy, herbal character.

M: Light-to-medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is undeniably citrus.

D: THe citrus gave me the worst beer heartburn of all time -- hugely citric without much of a funky or twangy wheat quality. I can see why people might like this, especially saison lovers as a change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2011 05:43:49 | More by argock

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Stillwater Artisanal Ales
Cellar Door

LOOK: Hazy bright golden color. Silky head forms and leaves good lacing.

SMELL: Barnyard elements, hay, wheat malt, sage and citrus.

TASTE: Herbal, spicy and earthy from the yeast, hops and additions of sage. There is an almost minty herbal flavor, as well as some citrus and a light tartness.

MOUTHFEEL: Light bodied, well carbonated, crisp and dry.

OVERALL: An interesting take on the Saison style. Lots of herbal and spicy flavors, and a delicate tartness. One of the more popular Stillwater beers.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 21:57:53 | More by Stinkypuss

scottfrie

California

3.46/5  rDev -16%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Bottle into snifter.

A: Pours a hazy citrus golden color with two fingers of fluffy bright white head that slowly faded into fuzzy film leaving wispy lace.
S: Sage dominates alongside hints of citrus and sweet undertones. I get some lemon and peach.
T: Peppery earthy yeast, sage is strong, citrus beneath and mineral chalky wheat. Sage and lightly malty sweet finish, peppery spice aftertase with slightly bitter hops.
M: Medium body, fizzy carbonation, frothy mouthfeel. Carbonation is distracting.
O: Frothiness takes away from the drinkability. Definitely a sage lovers beer, but only a decent saison. Better once you burn off some bubbles.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 17:33:05 | More by scottfrie

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

6.6% ABV. Had a bomber poured into a tulip glass at Smith Commons in DC ($24). This wheat-based saision gave off an orangy gold and crisp appearance with a nice foam head. Smelled sweet, yet bitter. Taste was wheaty and I could pick up hints of white sage and blends of herbal grass and citrus hops. Mouthability was light and medium-bodied with good carbonation throughout. Drinkability was pleasant and would fit late spring/summer session drinking better for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 16:04:00 | More by CuriousMonk

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

My first beer from Stillwater. Picked up a bottle out of state, finally getting around to trying it.

Pours a hazy light golden straw yellow. That's a lot of descriptors. Looks like golden straw. Huge fluffy white head, sticks around, leaves only bits of lacing.

Smells of stone fruit and musty barns. The fruit is heavy and juicy - peaches and apricots. Some light grassy notes as well, and a hint of spice.

Taste is less fruity, more sharp. Hops are more prominent, both as grassy flavors and a spicy bite. That peppery spice is strong through the finish. A little on the flat and sharp side, flavor-wise. Would prefer a bit more richness or lift.

Mouthfeel is, in my impression, over-carbonated. I have to wait for it to die down before I can actually taste the beer. A downside, for sure. Dries out fairly quickly.

A decent saison, but not particularly memorable. Fruity in the nose, spicy in the mouth, and bubbly all around.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 03:39:45 | More by zeledonia

WillCarrera

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22 oz bomber, no bottled-on date, poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours a slightly hazy golden color, topped with a thick white head, decent retention and some spotty lacing.

S- Lots of spice, herbs and pepper. Belgian yeast and sage are very prominent. Hops are minimal and malt is light and slightly sweet.

T- Sweet wheaty malt and apple/pear fruitiness. Lots of spice, white pepper, sage and Belgian yeast. This is alright but it's a bit one-dimensional and the sage gets to be too much pretty quickly.

M- Medium-bodied, high carbonation, smooth and prickly feel, dry finish.

O- A solid saison, the use of sage is interesting but it loses some points on drinkability, an 8oz pour of this would be perfect but, as is all too often the case, there's no reason for this to be in a bomber. The spice and sage are just too much, I don't understand the positive reviews for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 07:34:24 | More by WillCarrera

dgilks

Australia

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear golden colour with a small white head. Poor head retention for a saison.

Fruity with a big white wine grape aroma. Mild cinnamon and clove spice. Nicely balanced yeast character.

Very light crisp malt flavour with some mild fruity citrus notes. Not as nice as the aroma.

Light body with moderately-high carbonation. Good.

For me, the flavour here is not quite right. It's very dry and fruity without the spice and hop on the palate of the classic saisons.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 01:17:48 | More by dgilks

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

"Cellar Door", …at least that's what I think it says…Stillwater Artisanal, American Farmhouse Ale. Wheat Ale brewed with white sage. 1 pint, 9.4 fluid ounces. 6.6% ABV. Brewed and bottled by Dog Brewing Company, Westminster, Maryland.

I've been looking at this one sitting in my DBF (dedicated beer fridge) for months now, and it's time to take it down.

Clear and golden, beautiful white head, looks inviting. Active carbonation, rising up from the bottom.

Gorgeous aromatics, lovely light spice, delicate and flowery, ooo, la la.

Tasting it: light bodied, smooth, zesty. Wheaty mouthfeel, flush with citric feel, and jazzed up with spice. Sweet and malty, with just a bit of bitter. In the saison style, with a spicy twist.

Let's just look at their words on this one. I'll have to cock my head sideways for this: "Starting with a base of GErman wheat and pale malts, this crisp slightly hazy foundation was then accented with a blend of Sterling & Citra hops that provide notes of herbal grass & tangerine citrus. To pull this all together and to complete the "cleansing" aspect of my vision, I gently finished the ale off with a touch of white sage, lending a mild earthy spice character to the blend."

What is the "cleansing aspect" of his vision? That's so many words. I guess I don't mind keeping my notes short and simple, once in a while. It's good and lovely and drinks like a dream.

Go, beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 08:15:33 | More by feloniousmonk

dgfair

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

25.4 oz bottle into La Chouffe tulip.

Color is a hazy tangerine with a huge foamy white head. Looks effervescent, almost to the extent of a champagne bubble. Dissipates fairly quickly, but leaves some spotty lacing around the glass. The smell is blooming flowers, pear, slight banana, clove, hibiscus, honeysuckle, honey, and star anise. Almost smells like a mix between a belgian pale and a spiced hefeweizen. The taste is earthy grass with a slight bit of spice. There is a yeasty peppery-ness and a tiny bit of barnyard funk. Some light herb flavors also come through on the dry finish. Mouthfeel is very foamy, to the point where I need to let the beer sit in my mouth for a while to lose some of the carbonation. Fairly complex, and a decent saison, but not one of my favorites. Would prefer a few Belgian examples over this at the price point.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 04:08:32 | More by dgfair

Sam21

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle purchased for ~$8. No best by or bottled on date. Poured into tulip.

Appearance – The first pour yields a bright golden orange body with great clarity. The second pour is significantly hazy with a fluffy white head filled with large soda bubbles. No noticeable lacing.

Smell – Spices up front, which was surprising, as I did not know this was brewed with white sage. Nice dry spice note, citrus fruit, sweet malt, with a dry chalky yeast aroma. It leans towards the spicy side.

Taste – Sage up front with a subtle malt sweetness behind filling in behind. The citra hops add a bright lemony acidity that is present but elusive at times behind the spices. The yeast enhances the sage adding hints of clove and a great dry finish.

Mouthfeel – Light bodied with full mouth filling carbonation. As soon as this beer hits your tongue, the carbonation opens up and fills your mouth. Really lively.

Drinkability – The spice note mingles so nicely with the lemony citra hop note. It adds such a unique edge to this beer that keeps your interest throughout. I wish there was more behind the spice, but the dry finish combined with everything else in the flavor is enough to pull me back in.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 01:01:04 | More by Sam21

jgagne

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Nice light murky orange with large white head. Very nice

S-Very hoppy citrus smell. Definetly very prominent smell

T-At first i really enjoy this beer. Very spicy and tasty but then the follow through falls a little short for me. It ends slightly flat, was hopping for a nice sweet finish but instead you get the opposite. Not a really complex beer

M-Nice spice with medium body and high carbonation

O- Good beer with good possibility but just fell a little short for me, but could see why other BA's would enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 23:20:01 | More by jgagne

cjgator3

Florida

3.68/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle

A- Poured into a tulip. Pours a golden orangish color with a nice off-white head with good retention and lacing.

S- The aroma is pale malts, a lot of peppery spices, lemon zest, yeast and earthiness. The aroma is fantastic, it is a really nice smelling farmhouse ale. 

T- The taste features some malt up front with some fruitiness (pears, apples), a big spice presence, a nice dose of yeast and some warmth in the finish from the alcohol.

M- The mouthfeel is somewhere between light and medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

O- Overall, I really enjoyed this farmhouse ale. I would purchase again. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 02:08:51 | More by cjgator3

JLeege

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a weizen glass

Appearance- Clear golden color with a large, stubborn fluffy white head. Tons of active carbonation, probably the most I have ever seen. Good lacing left behind. This beer just looks phenomenal.

Smell- Lemon, fresh cut grass, semi musty dank cellar, the sage as stated on the bottle is very present, a hint of wheat.

Taste- Starts out fairly wheaty, more than the aroma would suggest. Leading into slightly bready notes and some lemon. There are some other jumbled citrus flavors in the middle of the drink too, pineapple stands out a bit. Somewhat grassy towards the finish, with big notes of sage. Finishes with citrus and sage on the tongue.

Mouthfeel- Medium light body, with high carbonation. Not quite as crisp as some of the top notch saisons.

Overall- Honestly, I am not crazy about this one. If the sage was turned down a bit I would like this better, and I generally enjoy off the wall spices in my beers. Probably won’t get this again, but will definitely continue to explore Stillwater; any brewer that specializes in saisons is fine by me.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 05:04:02 | More by JLeege

Duff27

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Half inch white head On a murky golden body. Collar left

Wheaty smell with a hint of lemon zest

Bright citrus. Hops show as it warms. Sage for sure. Would guess around 7.5%abv

I know saisons are carbonated but damn. Medium mouthfeel.

Different. Over carbonated for sure. Don't think I could finish a whole bomber between the carbonation and sage presence.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 01:29:37 | More by Duff27

Verecund

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle received as an extra from SweedwayJim. Thanks! Opened on 12.29.2010.

Pours a slightly yellowed carrot orange. It's mostly translucent, with evidence of high carbonation (lots of bubbling activity). A three finger white head recedes to a nice, sticky one finger rim. Some of the lacing sticks in place for the entirety of the drink.

Lots of citrus and lemon peel, along with a tiny bit of banana esters. As it warms, a good bit of herbal spiciness comes through, probably from the white sage. Tropical, floral; soft and pleasant. Taste is perfumy, with notes of white pepper and some citrus. There's some breadiness, but the minty sage really comes through mid-to-late palate, along with heavy notes of Belgian yeast.

Dry and effervescent. Surprisingly creamy despite the fairly high carbonation.

The soft and balanced nose is the best part of this beer, but overall it's a nice farmhouse ale - nice blend of perfumy, phenolic spicy, and citrusy elements. Would probably be a particularly tasty beer in the heat of summer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 02:39:53 | More by Verecund

nppeders

Minnesota

3.7/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance - golden orange hazy. Fluffy head that dissapates rather quickly.

smell - sage, clove, yeast, earthy

taste - taste follows the same. Sharp in the beginning, the middle coats the mouth with sweetness with some biscuit and honey. The finish of the sip finishes strong with sage which I'm not loving.

mouthfeel - not as dry as expected, it would interesting to know the final gravity of this one, medium carbonation

overall - really good. not loving the sage. thought it was a weird choice, and it worked better then I expected adding some earthy notes to compliment the spiciness of the yeast. no off flavors to mention.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 00:34:08 | More by nppeders

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked a bottle of this up in DC.

Hard pour into my tulip brings a five-finger head that eventually recedes down into a fairly constant single-finger layer, although it only leaves the tiniest bit of lacing behind. Nose brings forth a tiny amount of earth and hay along with a nice lemon presence. A little bit hoppy. Taste is quite the same with a bit of lemony grass and some slight bitterness. Mouthfeel is quite light and a bit undercarbonated. Drinks pretty well but is lacking the type of depth I expect for saisons.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 23:55:20 | More by Thorpe429

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.73/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served at 53 degrees in my CL tulip. No bottle dating evident. Been waiting to try something from this brewery for quite a while. Pours a semi-hazy honey-gold with a rocky, three inch bright white head that sizzles and pops as it slowly recedes into a solid quarter inch cap embedded with tiny pinpricks. Some lacing, but no legs. Nose is herbal and grassy - sage presents up front followed by citrus and a trace of cut grass. All and all, fairly clean for a Farmhouse. Taste follows nose; however, citrus comes out initially, with the sage expressing itself more towards the finish. Something else is also happening towards the middle. I get a trace of sweetness (perhaps candi sugar?), in addition to the grassy quality. The mouthfeel on this somewhat kills it for me. Carbonation is extremely gassy. Body is light-medium and there's a definite prickliness that is partially attributable to the carbonation, as well as the citrus acidity. Finish is semi-dry. A quality and complex domestic Saison; however, the carbonation is way too assertive and really detracts from the taste. If the carbonation was more under control, I'd probably score this in the high B+ to low A- range.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 17:58:15 | More by Jwale73

WhiteOak

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Hazy, deep straw yellow color with a white head.

S- Had I been blinded on this, I would have mistaken it, (based upon smell alone) for a Gewurtztraminer or possibly a Tokay! Quite a surprising aroma.

T- Flavors of clover honey, rich caramel, malt, and citric hops. The finish is bitter, herbaceous, and hoppy.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 21:50:06 | More by WhiteOak