Existent - Stillwater Artisanal Ales

jrbuch

New York

2.88/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Served in Brewer's Art Goblet.

A: Approx 25 SRM. Extremely dark for the style with almost no head. Surprising for an American Farmhouse Ale.

S: For a AFA, I would have expected a lot more. The smell is faint but sweet, roasty and some pear. A mild hop presence. Minimal esters

T: Roasted and chocolate. Some hop. More like a porter

M: This beer doesn't have enough body or carbonation.

D: Overall a fine beer. Not an American Farmhouse Ale. More esters, less harsh malts but equally dark, stronger carbonation with a heavier mouthfeel could help here.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 23:14:27 | More by jrbuch

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

25oz bottle into a pint glass and some..

Existent is black from a far but deep burnt brown up front with some red peeking through with some light. A hard pour produced zilch. There was also no hiss when the cap was popped.

Smell is a hoppy brown beer, I would not really classify this as a saison as roasted malts and some tootsie rolls come out. A fair amount of earthy pungent hops ans some chocolate//cocco. Can't really pick up any yeast.

Can't really pick up where this beer is going, many directions, Im leaning towards hoppy brown with a Belgian kick. Some nutty characteristics of a dubbel, bready belgian yeast influence, chocolate and roast from the malts. Dark fruits are tame and give off some berry flavor.

Feel is tame, not spritzy enough, this kinda comes off flat. Body is medium and carb is almost non existent, yep I went there. The liquid semi coats the tounge with malt galore and some berry.

After about seven ounces or so, this wore on me and I still had 18 ounces to go. This was a chore and I drank it all cause I paid for it. A 12oz bottle would of been fine.

This is something strange and different. I don't know if I like it or not. Points for creativity though. It's just that I don't know what this beer is trying to be.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 04:29:30 | More by onix1agr

oline73

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap in a pint glass at Max's

Appearance - Pours almost black with some light coming through at the edges. Smooth tan one finger head goes away almost immediately, there is some lacing.

Smell - This one is quite roasty with hints of hops and a little bit of spice from the yeast.

Taste - Burnt roast definitely dominates here. There is an herbal hoppy flavor in the background. I don't detect much that would tell me this if a farmhouse.

Mouthfeel - Medium body with a delicate smooth carbonation.

Drinkability - This one tastes like a hoppy stout to me. That being said I liked it, but I don't think I'll be looking for any more.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2011 03:29:53 | More by oline73

clickpush

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into pint glass. Flat looking body with large foamy bubbles that reduce to tiny halo. Smell is piny with hints of roasty funk. Very hoppy smell. Taste is similar with lingering viscous, roasty farmhouse. Still hoppy without being bitter. Mouthfeel is flat and lacklustre. Chewy finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 03:32:34 | More by clickpush

BSLemoine

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

It took a bottle with my man Freddie on the front to get me to finally review a beer!

750 mL Bottle purchased 1/19/11. Served at 50 F, reviewed until 60 F.

A - Nearly pitch black and completely opaque. Cream colored, thin, lacy head. Almost no apparent carbonation.

S - Roasty and nutty nose. No fruitiness save a light citrus nose. Slight herbal hopiness.

T - Dark roasted coffee, tart and broad fruitiness. Slight earthy dank.

M - Medium (+) thick and velvety mouth feel with a balancing acidity and bitterness. Very little carbonation. The tart and bitter linger.

Not a bad beer but underwhelming. I was hoping more from a Nietzsche inspired beer (although Nietzsche thought beer made people stupid so go figure). Light aromatics and a less than complex palate, however the body was quite nice. I would drink it again, but I prefer many other Dark Saisons (I agree with the comment before that this is really more of a Belgian Stout).

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 01:31:26 | More by BSLemoine

mdfb79

New York

2.93/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 01/14/11 notes. Had on tap at Rattle N Hum in NYC.

a - Pours a black color with one inch of tan head and moderate carbonation..

s - Smells of roasted malts, smokey, floral notes, and

t - Tastes of smokey roasted and toasted malts, light floral notes, and something weird I can't quite place, like burnt caramel or toffee. Not that great.

m - Medium body and low carbonation.

d - This was listed as a Black Saison, and I wasn't a big fan of it. The taste just seemed a little off to me and the smell was average. Wouldn't look to have again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2011 00:15:25 | More by mdfb79

petacutlasaurus

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was pleasantly surprised by and really enjoyed this beer. I didn't have low expectations or anything (I got a batch of cellar door that had, I guess, an abnormally large deposit of white sage, fell in love with it) but from the first sip I was sold.

It's almost like a hollowed out ten fidy from Oskar Blues - whereas that might pour like motor oil, this one's a little less syrupy. It was complex and very drinkable. Can't wait to have another.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 19:34:53 | More by petacutlasaurus

Errto

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ the Cask Republic, New Haven, poured into a wine glass.

From the outside this beer looks like a stout. Hard to see the full effect in slightly dim lighting, but it's more or less pitch black with a tan head. The head is thin but generous lacing.

At first the smell also resembles a stout. Chocolate and almost coffee-like roasted bitterness.

The flavor is where this beer stands out. At first, when it's still a bit chilled, you get some caramel, a bit of astringency, but there's something different. This something appears more and more as the beer warms and you realize that yes indeed, it's a saison. It's those earthy flavors of Belgian yeast and Continental hops, sort of a mustyness, a bit of lemon and pepper. Over time these come to dominate and you forget that this beer is dark. Roasted what, now?

Surprisingly easy to drink for what seems at first to be a peculiar combination of flavors. Definitely recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 04:11:45 | More by Errto

koopa

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased at Capone's in Norristown PA.

Appearance: Pours a dark chestnut brown with a 1 finger off white crown that displays moderate retention and lace.

Smell: Moderately roasted malt, chocolate malt, a slight cherry fruity note, and a tinge of alcohol.

Taste: Same as nose but more pungent all around.

Mouthfeel: A fairly nice medium body with active carbonation.

Drinkability: Fairly easy going down but the mouthfeel and alcohol presence limit it.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 21:47:13 | More by koopa

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle. Served in a tulip, the beer pours dark brown with a very small tan head that went away quickly. There is a lot of lacing left behind on the glass. Aroma is very nutty, and the brew also smells like caramel, chocolate, bready malt and coffee. It tastes like roasted and bready malt, spice, nuts, dark chocolate, and a bit of dark fruit and orange peel. There's also a lingering roasty, nutty finish. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick with low carbonation. Drinkability is good, it's smooth and goes down easy. I think it's a pretty good brew, regardless of what style it's supposed (or not supposed) to be. This is the third brew I've tried from Stillwater, and I've enjoyed all of them so far.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 23:36:12 | More by bluejacket74

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nice beer, had on tap at Churchkey in DC.

A: Dark, dark brown with purple highlights. Small ring of head.

S: Roasty nutty character overall. Belgian malt mixes with sweet and savory malt notes and dark fruit.

T: Great balance. Belgian style bases of malt and yeast go together with pecan/walnut, roasty malt, burnt dark fruit, and more. Nice beer.

M: Medium feel with light-medium carbonation.

D: It's nice.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 00:06:30 | More by Dreadnaught33

ahalloin

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First off, this beer is classified in the wrong category. This is definitely a Belgian Stout.

Poured into a wide mouthed goblet.

Amber flushed dark brown fluid with slight light tan head. Head reduced to thin lace and a few spots floating atop the liquid.

The smell is really interesting with major nutty notes, slight coffee, caramel and some roasty quality. A spicy Belgian note pemeates the darker aromas. There is a very pure, layered aspect to the aroma. All the notes are cleanly evident without being muddied.

The taste exhibits the same qualities as the aroma with dark caramel, nuttiness, and slight roasty, surrounded by a spicy Belgian yeast character.

Mouthfeel is apropos with light carbonation but medium full mouthfeel.

Drinkability is very good with well balanced flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 22:09:32 | More by ahalloin

tbrown4

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Max's (Baltimore) on tap

A - Mostly pitch black, thin tan head, thin sticky lacing

S - Light coffee and chocolate aroma

T - Nice and roasty, not too coffee or chocolately. Slight bitter middle that sticks through the end, then quickly disappears. Kind of reminds me of a stout. Not as much of a spice as I'd expect.

M - Decent carb feel and bite, thin and just enough to coat the mouth with flavor

D - Incredibly easy to drink. No alcohol hints at all. Could put back 2 or 3 without thinking about, which is dangerous at 7.4%

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2011 01:01:09 | More by tbrown4

timtim

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

another fantastic brew from Stillwater. Dark as night with a tan head that leaves attractive lace. nose is roast, toast, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, spice (star anise? something woody/barky?) and fruity, citrusy, piney, earthy hops. what i like so much about stillwater's beers, and his "dark" beers especially, is that somehow, he gets dark flavors to express themselves brightly (if that makes sense). the roast is right up front and the bitter from the hops and roasty (almost smoky) malts intermingle beautifully. chocolate, coffee etc in the middle and spiced roast at the end. picking up just a touch of peppery tingle too as it starts slick and ends up dry and crisp. clean finish on medium-full body that has just enough conditioning to really carry it. extra points for mouthfeel because he gets these flavors to "pop" like they do in such an elegant, delicate way. the mouth isn't left feeling coated and oily, and the stomach isn't left feeling bloated like so many other beers that touch on the same profiles. related to saison, related to black ipa, related to stout/schwarz. just like the rest of his beers; one foot in tradition and one foot in outer space. dig it. thanks brian. more please!!!

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2010 12:44:56 | More by timtim

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's tonight.

The beer pours a darkish cola color with pretty good head retention and lacing. The nose is attractive, showcasing rootbeer, vanilla and some light burnt toast. The flavor profile replicates the nose, though there is some attractive saison flavors of honey and orange citrus as well. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, with a fairly dry, lightly hoppy finish. Drinkability is pretty good, with the alcohol almost completely unnoticeable.

Nothing really earth shattering here, but for all that, this was another tasty effort from Stillwater

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2010 23:16:44 | More by johnmichaelsen

jrallen34

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Another server recommendation at Churchkey, this one was quite a bit better...Dark brown, with a light tan head...The aroma has tons of toffee, bread, grain, spice....The taste is roasty, with lots of chocolate, spice, star anise. The feel is warm from alcohol.

Interesting, worth a shot but nothing out of this world

Serving type: cask

12-12-2010 16:03:28 | More by jrallen34

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On cask at the Bilbo Baggins event with Brian welcoming Stillwater to Virginia. Brian described this as being inspired by a combination of a schwarzbier, IPA, and farmhouse ale.

Served into a wine glass. Pours nearly black with a one-finger tan head. Large carbonation bubbles with some pretty good lacing. The nose is quite earthy with a bit of light roots. Some slight resin as well. Maybe a bit of birch.

The taste adds in some nice bitterness with earthy and pine hops. Some really nice earthy notes. Slight wood and birch characteristics. The finish reminds me a bit of that of Life & Limb, which I'm thinking is due to birch in that one. Feel is light to medium with a nice, dry finish. This is really intriguing and tasty; looking forward to being able to grab this in bottles fairly often.

Serving type: cask

11-13-2010 15:24:11 | More by Thorpe429