Folklore - Stillwater Artisanal Ales

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

2.03/5  rDev -47.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Draft pour into a 13oz tulip for $7. Sampled 12/23/11.

A: Served with 1 finger of medium dark brown head, foamy and loosely compacted and semi rapidly deflating. The body is black and has dark amber edges along the top when backlit. Rather still looking. No lacing.

S: The Belgian yeast is the notable character on the nose, which adds some fruity esters and complexity. Dark chocolate malts come through in modest strength. Earthiness, straw and trace scents of new leather and anise add dimension to what is a surprisingly underwhelming nose.

T: The taste is nice and all...but kind of forgettable. Even as a high strength Belgian Stout, the flavor is not very distinguished. And definitely not the type of beer where "less is more." Short, one dimensional, and surface-of-the-tongue. ABV goes unnoticed however.

M: The body is too thin. The carbonation is too fizzy. And the beer finishes way too quick.

O: This one didn't really come together for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2012 13:37:22 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

mactrail

California

2.51/5  rDev -35.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Totally black with a big beige head in the narrow Crooked Line tulip. WIney aroma with a fruity, smokey nose.

Intensely flavored in a odd way. It tastes like fruit cocktail boiled in yesterday's coffee. A hint of cough syrup in the back of the throat. Aftertaste of ashes. Burnt raisin toast is the most pleasant of the flavors. There is fruit leather, sweet vermouth, guava jam, aspirin, and sweet pickles, all washed over by a medicinal bitterness. Smokey taste of grilled peaches dropped in the charcoal.

As near as I can tell, this is the same Folklore but now the subtitle is "Mythic Tradition Ale." From the 750 ml bottle bought at Bine and Vine in San Diego for $13.49. This is two expensive Stillwater brews in a row that leave me asking "what were they thinking?"

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 04:15:22 | More by mactrail

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

2.88/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

750ml
A: deep black color, opaque, roasted dark brown head, poured big but dissipated to thin veil
S: intense and full, deep roasted malt, dark fruit, almost RIS-esque
T: deep roasted malt, intense, abnormally bitter (acrid) that is very noticeable and unpleasant, too bad they tried to over hop it and killed the balance
M: the acrid taste really kills this for me, lost balance and metallic bitter finish, ugh!!

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 01:38:50 | More by wisrarebeer

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer has been renamed Folklore. Served on cask at Khyber Pass Pub.

Pours a deep, dark chetnut brown color that's completely opaque with a half finger light beige head that slowly settles into a thin ring. Minimal spots of lacing.

Slightly earthy aroma with some dark malts, faint funky saison yeast, bread and zesty spice. Hints of pepper and clove along with some chocolate and dark fruits.

Medium bodied but on the lighter end with a slightly creamy texture.  Decent balance of dark malt, vinous dark fruit, peppery spice and earthy saison yeast. Lots of sweetness up front with hints of raisin and plum followed by chocolate malt, bready yeast and grass. Slightly medicinal with faint peppery spice. Well balnced and quaffable but there's an odd, lingering, metallic aftertaste. Decent but nothing out of the ordinary.

Serving type: cask

11-15-2011 07:23:32 | More by corby112

AgentZero

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Almost black beer with a bit of off white head. Faded to a bit of a ring and left some minor spots on the sides of the glass.

S - Lot of roasted malt on this. There is some dark fruits and a bit of yeast. Some slight earthy hops.

T - Taste is a lot like the nose. A good bit of roast, some dark fruits and a bit of earth. Nothing particularly distinguishing about this beer, but it's not bad. Yeast adds a touch of phenolic spice.

M - Medium bodied with some decent carbonation and a bit of a dry finish.

O - Didn't hate this beer, but it wasn't particularly memorable. I'd drink a bunch of other things before this.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 03:52:15 | More by AgentZero

Michael_D

3.38/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown with a muted brown head that is pretty creamy.smells heavy on dark roasted malts. Some belgian yeast as most stillwaters do. Faint hops. Dark malts are up front supported by the yeast. A little sour, smoke in the aftertaste. Interesting brew for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 02:38:50 | More by Michael_D

argock

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 500ml brown bottle into a clear glass snifter. No freshness date. Purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $6.49.

A: Very dark, almost stout-like, with a short creamy medium-beige head which is wispy but hangs around to leave a few lace tracings at the tops of the glass.

S: Somewhat astringent and metallic with some nutmeg/cardamom spice notes and some dark fruity maltiness. Muted overall and not very aromatic.

T: The flavor has a strong powdery cocoa quality with some fig and date dark fruitiness. Hops are minimal but their is a blandness about this beer all the way around. i don't catch smoke notes or many of the other complexities others report.

M: Carbonation is at least medium with a medium body and light cocoa aftertaste.

O: Glad I tried it but a bit of a letdown for an anniversary type ale. Not bad by any means, but I just don't think Stillwater and I are on the same wavelength.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2011 04:24:57 | More by argock

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.45/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500 mL bottle served in a snifter.

Pours a cola brown, slightly thin, with a tan head that fades to a crown of small bubbles and minimal lacing. Nose is cocoa, roast malt, pear and plum. Flavor reminds me of a fruity RIS with some dark Belgian tendencies. Chocolate and roast malt provide a strong base with slightly sweet yeast and light citrus hops making this interesting. Only knock on this is a slightly thinner than appropriate fizzy body. Otherwise, one of the better and more interesting Stillwater offerings; recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 23:15:32 | More by yourefragile

homebrew311

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a dark brown, chestnut color with ruby highlight, a collar of cocoa colored head, some lacing

S: nose is fruit forward with some oak and mild funk, dark cherries and berries come through, a touch of roast at the end

T: starts with some mild cocoa flavor followed up by a little bit of funk and a considerable amount of fruity sweetness, lots of flavor, interesting balance of flavors

MF: mild carbonation, thin body

O: this one skews a little towards the sweet side, definitely some interesting things going on but nothing too memorable

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 02:04:42 | More by homebrew311

andrewinski1

Maine

3.48/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip. The color is dark plum, nearly black. There is a nice full looking 2 inch head that is medium tan colored.

The aroma is mild with the dark fruit. There is a bit more chocolate in the aroma.

The taste is full of coffee and a bit of apple-like fruit to offset it. This seems a bit roasty to be a "Belgian Strong Dark Ale" but I don't think that's what it's trying to be.

This is medium bodied with crisp carbonation. This is pretty enjoyable; it's halfway between a quad and a stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:26:38 | More by andrewinski1

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter

A: Pours completely opaque black. No light coming through the other edges and no other colors. There is a foamy, even creamy light tan head of two fingers with excellent retention. Sticks around forever but fades pleasantly enough to make drinking easy. Lacing is moderate and spotty.

S: Mostly dark, roasted malts. There is a hint of smoke and a bit of Belgian yeast which provide a little bit of spice and depth.

T: Mildly bitter chocolate is the first thing I taste, and it remains a focal point for the whole beer. The smokey scent I picked up in the aroma is expanded upon, especially as it lingers after the finish. Belgian yeast imparts some of its typical flavor, but is dominated by the dark malt flavors so it is almost hard to detect. Mild alcohol flavor as the beer warms.

M: Medium-light bodied and fairly slick. Just a little bit watery. Carbonation is moderate and somewhat fizzy, but enjoyable.

O: I'm a little disappointed. I had this beer on tap a week or two back and remember absolutely loving it. Maybe it's better on tap or maybe I was tipsy, but this does not live up to my memories. That being said, it is a fairly good beer. It is listed as Belgian Strong Dark Ale but it doesn't have too much in the way of the Belgian characteristics. If I hadn't been paying attention/looking for them, I could have mistaken this for a regular old stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 03:24:31 | More by WankelEngine

FatJesus

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a michelob celebrate tulip from 500 ml bottle.

Pours black with a finger of beige head that goes away quickly with little lacing.

Smells of roasted coffee, some cocoa and dates.

First sip is cocoa right up front followed by chocolate and dates, the cocoa definitely over powers and stays around for awhile. I will say as it warms the fruity esters come through a lot more, tasting more dates and maybe cherry. Still signs of cocoa but not as strong.

For as dark as it is, it is very drinkable with medium carbonation and a light creaminess to it, not heavy as I was expecting.

Over all it's a good belgium dark and I'm glad I had it. Starting to pick up a few sill water artisanal beers to see what there saisons are like.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 00:30:23 | More by FatJesus

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at ChurchKey in Washington, DC. Poured into a snifter glass. Pours a deep dark/murky brown/black color that resembles a Belgian strong dark ale. Pours a medium 2-finger tan head that quickly fizzles, but retains nice lacing throughout the session. This beer was almost served at room temperature which is pretty much the norm at ChurchKey. Nose picks up aroma of coca, dried fruit, light smokiness and spices. Tastes smooth, dark fruity esters, roast, coffee, and Belgian yeast. Medium to full bodied along with some stickiness. This beer has a nice balance and complexity overall. Though not among my favorites for the style. Interesting beer to commemorate Stillwater's anniversary. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2011 13:58:54 | More by CuriousMonk

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on tap at Rattle N Hum. Big chocolate, like an imperial stout. Rich taste, sherry. Above average mouthfeel an drinkability.spices were unique, the smoke a bonus. Dark colour, little head.
Had this again 8 months later at Double Windsor and, not so good, more coffee than signs of yeast. Looked good though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 19:00:48 | More by northyorksammy

claspada

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Aromas of light toasty and roasty malts with subtle chocolate.
The tastes begin with a rush of milk chocolate, wow yum. As it warms you get some light coffee bitterness that adds to balance the sweet chocolate. Earthy, pleasant, dry finish. This mouthfeel is bubbly but at the same time still thick/sticky; quite interesting.
Overall this is a good beer but for the hefty ABV, the flavors are kinda muted. You would have no idea this is 8.5% based on the flavor profile/dark appearance alone. Found myself wanting a little more from this.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2011 14:40:45 | More by claspada

Bendurgin

Maine

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip. This pours dark brown with a cap of light khaki head.

The aroma has dark fruits plumbs and grape skin with hints of cocoa and hints of smoke. The pallet has a grape flavor with hints of cocoa and other dark fruits.

The body is medium with some a slightly dry finish. Good carbonation. Overall pretty solid. Lots of good flavors here.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:33:25 | More by Bendurgin

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up this bottle at Whole Foods in DC. Served in a Bruery tulip.

Pour yields a nearly-black brew with a good off-white head. Nice creamy head that sticks around for a bit before falling down and leaving a bit of lacing behind. The nose brings forward quite a bit of roasted malt along with a slight amount of dark fruits and a bit of light, earthy hops. The flavor is fairly similar. There's a roast component up front along with some dark fruits and a bit of earth and spice from the yeast. Feel is light to medium with good carbonation and a nice bite. Drinks pretty well; a nicely-done brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 12:47:25 | More by Thorpe429

mdfb79

New York

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 03/05/11 notes. Bottled shared by Thorpe429; thanks Mike.

a - Pours a deep mahogany color with one inch of off white head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, chocolate, and vanilla.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, chocolate, light vanilla, fruit, and coffee.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation, very smooth and creamy.

d - A nice beer; seemed mroe like a stout to me. Would have again.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 23:46:21 | More by mdfb79

ToasterChef

Maine

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from my notes. Served on tap at the Lion's Pride.

A: Very dark brown and opaque. Head is tan foam.

S: Roasted malts with a touch of chocolate. Medium hop level provides some bitterness.

T: Chocolate malt and roasted coffee notes. Coffee bitterness that lingers. It taste somewhat strong but isn't too sweet.

M: Medium body and carbonation. Thin but prevalent coat packs a lot of flavor. Leaves a bit of stickiness on my lips.

O: Enjoyable, but I am picking up more coffee than I expected. I would drink this beer again, but not again tonight.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2011 13:46:16 | More by ToasterChef

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to yourefragile for this 500 mL bottle.

A: The Belgian ale is dark, a Belgo-American stout for what it's worth. Dark and forboding, the ale sports a thin band of white head.

S: The nose has requisite roasted malts, dark and toasted, with Belgian spices in tow. Sweet fruits, apples and pears, remind me immediately of the Belgian provenance of the ale.

T: Dark roasted malts, chocolate and coffee drive the flavor. Bittersweet chocolate transitions to cocoa powder, bitter to sweet. Underneath the dark flavors, fruits are abundant. Apple and pear particularly lend sweetness thanks to the Belgian aspect. The contrast of sweet to bitter is noticeable, standing out within the ale. If I didn't know that this was from Stillwater, I'd call it an exotic American stout.

M: I'm not generally a fan of Belgo stouts, too sweet and roasted. This one features both aspects in spades, but it does so delicately, allowing each to shine through.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 21:42:15 | More by akorsak

womencantsail

California

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks for this one, Dyan!

A: The pour is almost black in color with a tall off-white head.

S: Not sure where to start. It's certainly very roasty and there are lots of dark fruits to this. Seems to lean heavily toward the prunes, plums, and raisins camp. There is a mild tartness and a few hints of coffee. Maybe some oak and chocolate, too.

T: The fruitiness is more pronounced in the flavor. Prunes and plums really stand out, but there are also some notes of cherries and raisins. A nice bit of roast, some licorice, and light flavors of pepper and chocolate.

M: Medium bodied with medium to high carbonation.

O: All sorts of different stuff going on here. I liked it for the most part, though.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 06:09:51 | More by womencantsail

merc7186

New York

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer poured from a bomber into a sampler glass.

A: Dark Opaque, Passes Almost No Light, Mild Off Brown Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Roasted Chocolate Malt, Mild Coffee

T: Chocolate, Mild Coffee, Mild Toffee

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Heavy Bodied, Smokey, Dry

Overall, a decent beer but nothing better than your typical smokey coffe stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 02:09:21 | More by merc7186

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The label is enough to sell you on this beer there's the devil dancing with a couple Victorian era white dressed fiddling women out in the forest. Artwork is created marketing these beers with fantastic labels and a reputation as one of the first American gypsy brewers making kick ass saisons. Forms a dark cola body with a chocolate cake tinted tan foaming head that dwindles rather quickly, fine Belgian style lacing. Aromatics offer up dark ripened fruit a touch of smoke and dark roasted malt accents including a touch of dark chocolate. It doesn't seem overly decadent and has a nice spice profile as well, it was honestly hard to read the print on the side of the bottle so I'm not quite sure what other possible additions were on this beer. A very balanced flavor between spices, mild tree bark notes some residual sugar sweetness caramelized sugars at that. A depth of lively fruitines hidden amongst the dark roasts and hints of smoke. Mouthfeel was effervescent with carbonation medium to lighter bodied despite the big dark color going on. Finishes dry and interesting with spice interplay, smoke, and dark ripened fruits summing it up. Alcohol is hidden pretty well not overtly booze ridden definitely doesn't burn the palate or the throat a smooth sipper for sure. Overall I'm intrigued by this offering it inspires me, search out more of his gypsy brewed offerings.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 18:46:14 | More by WVbeergeek

russwbeck

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: It pours out a deep brown with a rather large light brown head. The beer is still bubbling up an hour after the initial pour, bolstering the head nicely. The lacing is spotty down the side of my Deschutes tulip. I thought this was going to be a saison, so when the beer came out I was pretty surprised! Enjoyed before the Red Wine barrel aged version.

S: The aroma is really roasty, but buit upon some dark fruits and hints of caramel and molasses. It does have the nice spiciness I would expect a Stillwater beer, but overall it's a bit underwhelming.

T: The spiciness comes through a lot more on the taste than it did on the aroma for me. It falls much more on the spice and roast side of BSDA than the dark fruits and booze end. I do like the differing take on the style, but it just isn't blowing me away. Interesting, but not special.

MF: Medium body with a lot of carbonation. The spice wears on me a bit as I drink it, but the roast and dark fruits make it work. No booze noted, which is surprising for a BSDA, but I think a boozier beer would have improved the balance a bit.

O: I really recommend you try this if you like Stillwater, but it's not a great beer overall. While I liked the new take on the style, it was too thin and too spicy. I think the barrel aging with have a nice impact on this beer, we shall see.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 20:49:32 | More by russwbeck

avalon07

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a coal black color and a thick, muddy consistency. There was a massive, tan-colored, long-lasting head. Very good lacing.

S: A nice aroma of Belgian yeast, coffee, chocolate, and dark fruits.

T: Tasted of malt, Belgian yeast, dark fruits (plums, etc.), coffee and chocolate. Not bad, but surprisingly thin, especially in the finish.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a dry, smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is a beer with some good qualities, but is certainly uneven. I have a feeling it could have been better.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 13:32:11 | More by avalon07