Cascade Kriek Ale - Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

LaPeste

California

4.95/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle corked and caged. Purchased from Vendome in North Hollywood for $17.99. I had a bunch of sour beer in my cart and the clerk told me just got this one in and I should give it a try.

A: Pours cherry red/brown with a white two finger head.

S: Ripe fruit, cherry pie, vanilla, chocolate, slight sour

T: Sweet and sour cherry, vanilla, sour grapes

M: Moderate carbonation, slight pucker, well balanced

D: Easy drinking, you could gulp this down unlike most lambics, works for sipping also

My bottle says 8.1%, above it says 6.6% so mine is different. 8.1% is very unusual for a lambic, I guess since it's an American interpretation it makes sense. This is the tastiest Kriek I have had.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2009 08:44:16 | More by LaPeste

stealth

Minnesota

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I love sours, and I love this beer. This is ranks near, or at the very top in regards to outright sourness. What a sour beast. Nice looking pour,super murky, great lacing. Taste is very fruity up front then sour, sour, sour. Coats your mouth nicely - almost syrupy in its feel, but the beer itself is still medium-bodied.

One bottle is a task for the mouth to handle. Really makes your palate work overtime. Great sour that any sour fan should try at least once.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 09:43:02 | More by stealth

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Pinkish-crimson hue, I guess, with a pink-tan head (its dark in here). The brew is sticky and bubbly, with decent head retention, but not much in the way of lace. Oh well.

S - Cherries dominate the aroma, but earthy oak tones, vanilla, Band-Aid and musty-vinegar-lactic punctuate the nose as well. A beguiling olfactory treat.

T - The taste is great; sour, musty, lactic, vinegar, vanilla, wood, and tart cherry. Initially the sourness and lactic wooden mustiness are quite apparent, along with some sweetness. As it progresses, the cherry becomes more pronounced and the percieved sweetness subsides. Quite delicious, and quite dynamic.

M - Well-carbonated and slightly dry on the finish, 'til it vanishes totally clean, leaving nothing but the mouth-watering desire for more.

D - This is a very delicious beer. Perhaps the best of the Cascade sours, despite its wide availability.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2010 05:57:52 | More by ktrillionaire

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the 2009 bottling, sampled at ebf notb reviewing from notes.

The beer pours a brilliant red color with a nice fluffy off white head. the smell is funky sour and with cherries upfront. the taste follows suit with a huge blast of sour cherry and wonderful funkiness. the mouthfeel is medium to light and well carbonated, with definitely drink this one again.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 20:23:15 | More by rowingbrewer

midaszero

Washington

4.8/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Cloudy red amber body with two fingers of tan head that doesn't last to long but don't go away very quickly either. Only a little bit of lacing

S - Sweet and sour cherry. Not like candy more like what you would expect out of those standard beer descriptions

T - Wow that is very tasty, now this is cherry beer. Sour cherry mixed with sweet cherry. Some good maltiness as well. Pick up some oak bits in the middle.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation

D - Very enjoyable and easy to drink. Not the normal kriek you have that is like candy. This is very solid and highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2009 04:11:36 | More by midaszero

urwithdave

Florida

4.8/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hunahpu release(taking from notes). Poured into a CCB snifter.

A- Pours a ruby brownish color. 3/4'' of a pinkish head. Head dies down quickly and a decent amount of lacing is left behind. Nice and bubbly!

S- A mixture of cherries and oak. Maybe a slight lemon zest?

T- I'm getting the cherries and the oak that the aroma would suggest. Not sure where I'm smelling the zest from because I'm not getting any lemon at all. The tartness is just perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness. I love this brew! It is easily one of my favorites.

M- medium bodied with spot on carbonation. A nice puckering finish.

D- I would love to have it again. I'm sure I could polish off a few of these without any problems at all. I'm glad to see that raccoon lodge will ship to FL.

Edited after my second offering! Secured a bottle via trade.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 06:16:27 | More by urwithdave

kscaldef

Oregon

4.72/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2009 Vintage

A: Dark ruby color, good clarity. Moderate red-tan head.

S: Intense dark cherry, some mild lactic notes. Maybe just a hint of chocolate.

T: Sour pie cherry, just a great purity of the fruit flavor.

M: light carbonation, long cherry linger

O: A real homerun. Very drinkable, very delicious.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2011 02:11:30 | More by kscaldef

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to fogdog for this bottle.
Corked and caged bottle. 2009 vintage. Split into tulips.

A: Muddy brown hue with red edges. About an inch of dark khaki head fades quick and leaves soapy lace.

S: Oak infused sour cherry aroma is huge. Just a hint of funky moldy crushed cherry can be picked out. Vinegar and lactic sour are present but not overpowering at all.

T: Full on sour cherry pie. Great push and pull of sour then sweet. Mild oakiness. Again vinegar and lactic sour are balanced. Not much funk but it really doesn't need it.

M: Medium creamy body. Mild carbonation.

O: Fantastic sour cherry flavor. I could drink this everyday. One of the best American Flanders I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 00:56:05 | More by beerwolf77

rye726

Colorado

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

'08

Pours a dark, hazy cranberry with a creamy tan head. Nice lacing and retention.

Nose has lots of ripe cherries, red wine, oak, barnyard funk and Brett.

Taste has fresh cherries, cabernet grapes, wood, musty funk and sour berries.

Medium body has a delicate carbonation. Nice acidic finish. Great Flanders Red from Cascade.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 05:04:22 | More by rye726

Viciousknishs

Virginia

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 Bottling

A- pours a murky brownish red with a finger of light brown head. Very pour head retention with the minimal amount of lacing.

S- Musty oak and lactic acidity with a healthy does of earthy barnyard funk hit the nose at first. Some sweet malt notes with a hint of tart cherry and cherry pit flesh out in the middle. Hints of red wine and cider on the finish. Oak and funk with a dash of cherries! Love it!

T- huge almost stingy acidity with a superb tartness envelope the palate at first. Hints of sweet malt with rich concentrated tart cherry juice and cherry pit bring some layers and complexity. Earthy funk and musty oak with notes of red wine tannin and cranberry on the massive lingering very dry finish. Delicious!

MF- slick full mouthfeel with a medium body. Soft small bubbled carbonation.

D- wonderfully drinkable with massive complex flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 02:27:45 | More by Viciousknishs

brentk56

North Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Pours a cloudy chestnut with garnet highlights, a massive head with great retention and lacing; the bottle spews foam until half empty

Smell: Tart and sweet cherry with bready undertones

Taste: Opens with lots of fruit and becomes increasingly tart and slightly funky by mid-palate, with a chocolate angle; after the swallow, the oak becomes more apparent and, along with a burst of sour flavors, joins the cherry and chocolate (and vanilla) flavors that persist to the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with plenty of carbonation

Drinkability: Better than the blackberry, I just love the way this brewer combines the American fruit with the Belgian funk; kudos

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2008 00:53:51 | More by brentk56

jpmclaug

South Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from the bottle into a flute glass. Got this brew from the generous irishgurl4. Thank you!

A - Hazy red/brown body with a bunch of bubbles running up the side to make a nice pink tinted head.

S - Tart, lactic sour aromas dominate. A hint at the end of a sweet cherry flavor. Nice mix of fruit and sour notes.

T - Oh boy... This thing is GOOD! Nice sour cherry flavor. hints of fruity sweetness lasts for a second before pummeling your tongue with a tart cherry barrage. The fruit notes really shine in this.

M - Full, medium bodied with a lot of carbonation

D - I really like this brew. It has a nice big sour kick but provides a nice subtle sweet fruity flavor as well. The fruit flavor really is top notch in this. Compared to Cantillon Kriek I think this has more fruit flavor but less funk and sour notes. Fantastic brew. I am so glad I got to try this and will have to pick up more of this fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 00:58:14 | More by jpmclaug

nniicckkww

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 2009.

Poured from a caged and corked 750ml bottle into a chalice.
Fizzy head disappeared almost as soon as I poured it. No bother. Deep reddish brown. Slightly murky haze. No lacing left on the glass, but it's fairly sour so I didn't expect it.

Smell is sour tart cherry with a bit of funk. Taste is amazing. Rip juicy cherry with a viscous middle an dry, sour finish. Then the barnyard funk kicks in. Not overpowering funk but perfectly balanced. This beer is a joy.

Mouth watering pucker finish. Sour but not too much. To me, this beer is strikingly similar to 3F our kriek. Delicious and an excellent offering!

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 22:33:05 | More by nniicckkww

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 2 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to kmurray8621 for this one. Shared with schen9303. 2008 vintage poured from a 750ml corked and caged bottle into a snifter.

A: Moderate pour yields a 1 finger off-white coarse head that evaporates as quickly as it forms. Beer is a murky reddish-brown. Lacing is non-existant.

S: Vinegar, wood, funk, earth, and BIG BOLD SWEET CHERRIES. I've never actually smelt a flanders with actual fruit in the nose but this is really amazing and adds a whole new experience to this brew.

T: Vinegar sourness lasts throughout and makes me think I'm gonna need some heartburn medication afterwards. Cherries come in towards the middle and give this one a totally new dimension as it does in the nose. Fruitiness clashes well with the tartness presented. Wood and earthiness forms the background from which the other flavors stand out. Finish is messy with a slight lingering sourness.

M: Light to medium bodied, carbonated, and very lively on the tongue. This one tickles the through and agitates the palate to allow all the flavors to be realized. Very dry and with a messy finish that leaves a slight stain on the palate.

D: Probably one of, if not the best beer I've had in its style, this one is truly different from its peers for the amout of fruit present in both the nose and taste. Cherries are unmistakable here and creates a beer that isn't just tart and sour. Simply fantastic and I'm grateful to have had a chance to try it!

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 03:09:19 | More by SpeedwayJim

champ103

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A big thanks to armock for the trade. I have had this several times at tastings, but this is the first bottle of my own.

2009 vintage.

A: Pours a near opaque ruby red color. A two finger beige head forms on first pour, that eventually recedes to a ring. Light lace is left behind.
S: The aroma is bursting with sour/tart cherries. Real fruit. Some vinous red wine like aromas. Big wood/oak as well. The nose finises a little sweet with some vanilla. Just excellent.
T: Big tart fruits of cherries. Wine like with some wood. The cherry acidity and the wood works perfectly together.
M/D: A medium body that is very effervescent. Really crisp, clean and dry. Almost tannin like as well. The sourness is strong, but a great beer to sip on.

This is a great Flanders sour. Lots of flavor, that is spot on. Something I highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 21:03:43 | More by champ103

Spider889

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought this while in FL over the summer, likely the best beer I walked away with from that trip.

2009 bottling, described as a "NW style sour ale, 7.3% abv." Review from notes - early August 2011.

A - The cork pulled out easily to the tune of a loud perky pop.
Poured into a Lost Abbey tulip. The Kriek is a dark garnet/cherry color and opaque. The head is light and tall - a pinkish salmon color. Very vigorous carbonation is visible. The head had wonderful retention with nice swaths of lace post sip.

S - Damp oak, a bit of wet dog, musty, and tart. My notes describe it as like a Flanders Red, which apparently it is already classified as. Nice juicy fruity sourness.

T - There's a wonderful punch of acidity up front. Cherries are nicely present throughout - both sour/fresh as well as overly ripe tart/sweet black cherry. Mouthwatering juiciness. Lactic but not an omnipresent oppressive sourness sourness - well balanced.

M - Sour, nice full body with soft, though lively, carbonation.

O - This was a want all year and I was ecstatic to find a lone bottle while on vacation in a state largely weak on beer selection.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 20:58:36 | More by Spider889

BenZ

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

All kinds of funk and nice and tart. It's not as sour as RGC, but still great! Highly carbonated. The cherry is there, but not overwhelming - perfect, IMO. The aroma is unbelievably complex. I love the cheesy/cherry taste! If you want tear-bringing sourness, look elsewhere. This is not a "fruit beer" this is a beer with some fruit.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2009 23:16:03 | More by BenZ

Ek0nomik

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured In: Snifter
Ordered directly from the brewery.

Bottle reads 2008 bottling.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy auburn color with some dark cherry tints. Two fingers of head sit on top of the beer, but it disappears quickly. Upon opening the bottle there was a nice pop; the carbonation wanted out. A few swirls in the snifter doesn't produce any lace. Just a nice clean glass with a mouth drooling beer sitting inside.

Smell: The nose smells nice and lactic. A small dash of vinegar, sour cherry skin, and a little bit of vanilla make up the nose. Wonderful.

Taste: As the beer goes across the palate my tongue starts to squirm. No, it's not a bad thing. The acid is just making me pucker a bit, but it's definitely not out of line. In fact, there's enough room for some more souring in here. The flavor that's presented is similar to the nose: a little acid, a healthy portion of cherries, a drop of vanilla, and once my mouth becomes more oxidated once the beer leaves my mouth there are some oak flavors shining through.

Mouthfeel: When the beer first splashes across the palate it feels like the feel is completely spot on. Although once the carbonation dies down and the beer slides down the back of the throat it does get quite on the thin side. The beer could use just a little more body to it.

Drinkability: A wonderful flavor and an even better nose. This is a great beer. I think the beer could have used just a little more malt on the backbone to raise the body, although I personally wouldn't want any more malt flavor in it. The alcohol didn't show itself during a single sip of this.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2010 03:09:04 | More by Ek0nomik

DovaliHops

California

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2008 Vintage. 8.1% ABV. Pours a dark red with hints of dark brown. Nice and hazy with a medium sized, cream colored head that goes down slowly. Scent is profound oak with hints of vanilla. Tart cherries mix well with the oaky aroma and vinegar. Taste is initially lactic vinegar with AMAZING vanilla oak flavors. The flavors are SO complimentary of each other and blend so well it's ridiculous. Tart cherries linger on the palate as the oak and vanilla slowly fade. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and surprisingly creamy. Very delightful. Drinkability is very high. Overall, this is a fantastic beer. The alcohol is undetectable and I feel 3 years has done great things for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 05:19:57 | More by DovaliHops

deapokid

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2009 bottling.

This Oregonian Kriek pours a deep cherry red with moderate carbonation and a thin white head that the coats the rim of the glass. Lacing fades quickly, leaving behind a very attractive, candied red liquid.

Sour cherry aroma is extremely forthright, but well paired with a light funk backbone and dry, fruity tingle. My girlfriend thinks it smells like fruit punch and I think it smells like awesome.

No phony cherry flavoring here. This super sour, Belgian-inspired ale's opening perfectly emulates the tart bite of a ripe cherry, while balancing these alpha flavors with a mild dryness and heavy musk. It feels authentic, despite its US zip code, and even manages to take on its own unique identity.

Mouth opens on the creamy side, but quickly moves into "Warhead" territory with a perpetually resonant tartness and a carbonation that scalds the tongue. Very intense!

7.3% isn't too much to handle ABV wise and, with all this fruit flavor and sour sting, those interested in the tartest of the tart are in for a real treat.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 18:34:41 | More by deapokid

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a murky red-brown with a very short beige head. A little lace. Too opaque to see bubbles.

S - nice aroma of oak, tart cherries, soft malt, mild lacto, mild vinegar and faint bubblegum.

T - just like the aroma, but better. Delicious. The lacto didn't leave much of a cheesy note and the vinegar is reserved. The oak adds some nice depth to the flavor. Very tasty!

M - light-medium body. Bubbly. Dry and mouth watering sour. Very nice.

O - this is a really good Kriek. I liked it because it wasn't sweet like so many of the Belgian Krieks are. The cherry flavor and sourness are perfect for me. It isn't a funky sour. I'd like to see a funkier version of this with a heavier lacto taste and some barnyard. Not to replace this beer, but to compliment it.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 20:12:37 | More by GuzzLah

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage

750ml brown bottle with cork and cage. tasted in early/mid may 2009. poured into tulip.

very slow gusher, so not a problem for me, but do watch out just in case.

VERY dark, reddish brown. hazy, almost murky. 1-finger creamy and bubbly tan head with pink tint. fades to thin layer, constantly replenished by the laser etching of my duvel tulip. very good lacing, webby at times.

aroma: tart, fresh and dried cherries, rich malt and cider vinegars. wood, trace vanilla, and hint of vinous character. robust yet constrained funk. very fragrant overall.

taste: great combination of cherry fruitiness and tartness, with malty vinegar and cider tones. woody oak notes. trace of dried, hay-like hops with mild bitterness, matching very well with the crisp acidity, and melding with the richness of flavor overall. faint tobacco and spice notes?

medium body, very smooth and creamy in the middle. crisp, mildly puckering acidity and astringent tannins in the finish. moderate carbonation gives prickle upfront, and helps with creaminess.

when i first tried samples of this at julio's during the week of the craft brewers conference, i kept wanting more and more and MORE. and so did everyone else there. sometimes small sample sizes give vastly different impressions from the full serving size, but luckily that was not the case here. it was as tremendous as i remembered it the first time.

the most amazing thing about this is how the 8.1% ABV is undetectable. that said, the traditional krieks of belgium manage a comparable level of flavor with much lower gravity. so whether this should be a boost to the score or not is arguably subject to debate.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
2007 vintage

750ml green glass bottle with cap (no cork), and sealed in red wax. no date indicated other than a store- or distributor-added UPC sticker indicating it is the '07 vintage.

tasted in early may 2009.

gusher. tried to pour cleanly into a duvel tulip.

dark reddish brown. murky. 1.5-finger, tan head w red tint, fades slowly, replenished by the vigorous gushy carbonation and the etching at the bottom of the duvel glass. great lacing.

aroma: malt vinegar w/ vinous red wine and sour cherry tones. fruity, with both fresh and fermented characters. notes of wood and oak with trace of vanilla. grassy hay and very faint farmhouse character. more fresh cherry fruit and vinegar in back.

taste: malt, cider and red wine vinegars, meeting a subdued fruitiness. oak note. moderate fruity acidity and very faint bitterness. more wood, tannins and dried hay. the lower gravity and ABV, makes this almost seem "watery" in comparison to the richer, higher-ABV '08 vintage. essentially different beers. that said, this is still nice, though obviously the traditional belgian versions manage to get more flavor with much less.

light to medium body, mild acidic and tannic textures. crisp, mild, sometimes creamy texture from the carbonation, despite the gushy activity.

A-4.5
S-4.0
T-4.0
M-4.0
D-4.0

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2009 19:14:12 | More by tai4ji2x

dogfishandi

New York

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

got this in a trade. thanks jpmclaug!

2009 vintage- 750ml bottle at cellar temp poured into an oversized wine glass. shared a bit with my girlfriend.

pours a murky brownish red color with a huge pinkish biege foamy soapy head. faded to a thick ring and patchy foam rather quickly. spotty lace.

big hitting aroma. lots of lactic funk, horse blanket, acidic sour cherries. woody, bourbony alcohol on the back end. very light cinnamin, spice, and bits of bready pie crust, cherry pie. some grapey sweetness as it warms.

lots of musty, horse blanket funk and lots of tart acidic cherries. a touch of oaky, bourbony wood and a slight hint of dried dark fruits and grape sweetness as it warms. bits of light spice as well.

sugary, acidic, rich mouthfeel. pretty heavy on the sourness. bright, fine carbonation. medium to heavy on the palate.

as far as drinkability goes, one bottle shouldnt be a problem, but i would recommend sharing with friends. lots of lambic qualities in this beer. heavy on the tart sour cherries, light on the oaky wood. highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 00:24:31 | More by dogfishandi

CargoCulte

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I split a 2009 bottle with my wife.

A: Deep golden brown, it's color is similar to pressed apple cider. A thin layer of head lasted through most of my glass.

S: The smell puts the nose on overdrive. It has an acidic cherry fragrance, and you can definitely detect the sour in the aroma, it tickles the nose.

T: The sourness was not subtle in anyway. There was definite cherry flavors, but the sour was the star of the show. Some funk was detected, but it quickly diminished.

M: Tangy carbonation that danced on the tongue.

D: Although I found this beer extremely enjoyable and easy to drink, I doubt I'd be polishing off an entire bottle by myself.

I suspect this Kreik ale would be great for blending with another ale. It's definitely worth thinking about in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 02:42:23 | More by CargoCulte

Mahlik

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Cascade Brewing Barrel House. Poured into Cascade goblet. 2010 batch.

A- poured a deep, dark red with a thin white head. The head dissipates to leave a thick soapy ring around the glass. Some sticky spots of lacing.

S- Cherries glore. The Bing cherries really come out here. A smack of tartness from the cherries hit the nose. But then the sour aroma is cut out by an interesting (in a good way) mix of cinnamon and almonds. The Bing cherries never really fade away though. They just become a bit tamed.

T - The flavor starts sour, then tart. Dark cherries create an acidic bite upfront. Then the cherries chill and become more tart. The cinnamon is not quite as noticeable in the taste. There is undeniable almond flavor that lightly coats the back of the tongue and mouth. It finishes up with a gentler sourness from the cherries and currants.

M - Medium-light body with a good amount of carbonation. Not too prickly but enough to meet the style. A slight creaminess that quickly becomes clean and dry. I couldn't detect any of the alcohol.

O- Fantastic example for the style. As far as the USA goes, Cascade makes outstanding sours and this is no exception. A must try if you can get your hands on a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 08:12:38 | More by Mahlik