Cascade Kriek Ale - Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I missed this last time it popped up in Philly, so I grabbed a bottle as soon as I saw it on the shelves. 750ML 2011 project into a Brasserie d' achouffe and Rodenbach Grand Cru tulips to keep a steady clean pour going.

A lot of fizz and sounds coming out when poured from the bottle, Kriek pours out a muddy red brown shaded color that is pretty dark looking overall. Brown up front, red tints towards the light, muddled, some off tan colored foam on the sides of the glass, not forming a cap. Some bubbles rising through the cloudy beer, some activity.

Cascade Kriek smells like sweet cherry with some Jolly rancher appeal. The time spent in oak shows up with some vanilla surrounding the deep cherry scents rising up the nose. Some faint malt presence underneath with a small hint of cocco. Wet wood and some lactic quality is dead center.

I am a believer, this is truly sour, not 2007 100% Kriek lambic sour, but very tart with lactic appeal surrounded by a sturdy red ale laced with sour cherry flavor. Again some Jolly Rancher pops in the middle with the oak/vanilla laying nicely in the middle. The cherry flavor lasts long and this is strikingly similar to Red Poppy and I get some berry flavor reminding me of consecration in a way.

Feel is bursting with tartness all around the mouth, swish this around your mouth and feel the full effect, totally worth it. Missing some of the sweetness and vinegar from standard Belgian flanders, but that does not bother me, this is a nice change of pace for the style for me. Body is medium and has some life with bubbles. I drank the whole bottle, it was nice. I don't see this one as a long term aging beer, perhaps a year or so, but don't stretch it. At the level of sourness this has now, what's the point.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 04:25:41 | More by onix1agr

flagmantho

Washington

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750mL corked & caged bottle. This is the 2011 project, 7.62% ABV. I've been really looking forward to this one!

Appearance: rich amber-brown hue with plenty of haze and a thick finger of frothy tan foam with a hint of an amber cast to it. Quite nice.

Smell: well, I could smell the cherry the instant I popped the cork on this one. Upon closer inspection there's a sweet malt with a fair bit of lactic tartness as well as a very nice cherry character. I've had krieks where all the sweetness is fermented out, and krieks where the cherry smells more like a candy syrup added after fermentation. This walks that middle ground where it smells sweet, natural and fulfilling. It's no secret I love cherries, so this beer gets my serious thumbs up.

Taste: acidic tartness jumps out in front, followed by a mild sweetness and a hint of cherry character. It's got a good acidic content for a Flanders red ale, and the cherries are nicely present without being overpowering. I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a nice carbonation and a nice creaminess. The acidity lends an astringency, which detracts from the creaminess a bit, but I still rather like it overall.

Overall: this is a yummy beer. Nice cherry character, and the tartness adds to a wonderful drinkability. I look forward to trying this in subsequent years!

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 21:10:00 | More by flagmantho

kojevergas

California

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"2011 project". 750ml brown glass bottle with hood and wire cap/cage over a cork served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high; I'm really in the mood for a Kriek. 7.62% according to my bottle.

Served a bit warmer than straight-from-the-fridge cold. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Cork yields a satisfying pop upon removal. No issues with surging or anything like that.

A: Pours a two finger khaki head with tinges of pink. Decent cream and thickness. Respectable retention for the somewhat high ABV relative to the style. No lacing. Body colour is a rich dark ruby red. Nontransparent; non-opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Suits the style, though it'd be more attractive if it were brighter.

Sm: Sour cherry, oak, rich malts, bacterial yeast notes, and acidic fruit skin. Nutmeg/subtle spicing. Pie crust when I look for it. An above average strength aroma.

T: Nicely acidic sour cherry and cherry skins are dominant. That's tasty. Good tartness - a must in any good kriek. Foundation is unobtrusive and supportive of the main notes. Oak is present as an understone. The tart sour bite puckers the palate right on the climax, then bleeds through the acidic almost wine-like finish. The balance is a bit compromised by the biscuity sweetness in the late second act, but the beer remains delicious. Any spicing is subtle and largely drowned out by the sour cherry notes. Wow that's good. I get fruit and heavy sourness. Bacterial yeast is somewhat restrained. Hints of pie crust if you really search past the tart cherry - but it's difficult because the cherry zing is so affronting. This is exactly what I was looking for. Well layered and brilliantly executed. Some bready grains come through more as it warms. The cherry is just full and delectable.

Mf: Smack-your-lips luscious and crisp. Smooth and wet. Near perfect presence on the palate. Ideal carbonation. Complements the flavours brilliantly.

Dr: Incredibly sour and tart - exactly what I want and hope for in a Kriek. This is a delightful sour, and I imagine some might criticize it for being too sour - but me? I love it. Highly recommended; I'll definitely be picking up more of this treat in the future. Might get better with age, but I doubt it would last long if it was in my vicinity. I'm very excited to try more from Cascade. This is one hell of a kriek. In spite of its sourness, it's incredibly drinkable.

High A-

Would pair brilliantly with an acidic salad.

Recommended for aging up to 3 years if you have the willpower.

I enjoyed it cold, but it did get a bit better as it warmed.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 05:15:19 | More by kojevergas

Auracom

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Cascade's barrel house. 2 oz. served in a taster tulip on November 29th, 2012.

A -Flat murky toffee coloring with a light khaki ring of foam. Slight lacing. Probably the plainest looking Cascade brew I tried on this day.

S - Pie crust and sharp cherry skins. Touch of honey and all-spice.

T - Yup, straight jammy cherry pie with lemon acidity. Probably the sourest of all the Cascades today. This comes with that Cantillon-esque mouth watering.

M - Light-medium body, high carbonation, very dry finish.

D - A bit singular in flavor but hits it on the head. Would revisit.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 23:07:05 | More by Auracom

Etan

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml, 2011 bottle, into a tulip.

A: Pours a red-hued brown with a nice beige head.

S: Plenty of brett and tart cherries in the nose. Some sweet fruit and maltiness underneath.

T: Lactic, tart cherry and some moderate acidity, dry oak, sweet pie cherry. Slight vinegar character.

M: Medium-bodied with active carbonation. Pretty dry.

O: Definitely a good kriek. The pie cherries are a little too sweet for me, but there's plenty of acidity to balance.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 04:31:32 | More by Etan

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2009 Bottling
Pours a brilliantly clear deep garnet/ruby color with a nice off white head that slowly recedes to a cap. I can smell cherries as soon as I wrangle the cork off the top pf the bottle. Upon closer inspection my nostrils are filled with fruity tart sweet and sour cherries, raspberries, and lemons. There's a hint of funk and a bit of residual brown sugar but this one is all about the tart. Tart cherries and lemons rule the palette with every sip. The flavor is quite tart with bits of sugar and funk barely getting through to provide faint hints of balance. Medium body with a moderate to high level of carbonation and a tart puckering mouthfeel. I enjoyed this one, but found it incredibly tart. I wonder how this beer is fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 03:14:00 | More by johnnnniee

Gatch

Massachusetts

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

'08!

This is a truly amazing beer. Everything it should be. If someone let you taste this blind, you would think it was straight from Belgium. An absolute treat that I cannot believe comes "locally" from Oregon. These guys know how to make a sour. It says Kriek on the bottle but it's only because it's brewed with cherries...otherwise, this is all Flanders Red. Funky, sour, earthy, sweet, tart, robust. The thing about sours is that they are so complex but the description I come up with is simple. I'll attribute this to the centuries of brewing tradition and the simple enjoyment that comes with a great sour. There's no thinking...just drinking.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 01:44:04 | More by Gatch

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Rutager, 750ml into a tulip. 2010 vintage.

Muddy blood red (poured with the yeast), with several fingers of browned white head. Strong lacing, moderate retention. Nose has some lactic sourness, oak barrel, ripe cherries, cherry pits. Taste has more sour cherries off the bat, more lactic sourness slight oak and more straight cherry flavour into the finish. gentle malt sweetness, but sour cherry and lactic notes shine. Slight cherry pie flavours as this warms. Medium full feel for a sour, and a bit of bite to the carbonation. An excellent sour - great fruit flavours and just plain tasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 19:22:22 | More by liamt07

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

2010 vintage.

Pours a dark copper color with ruby red edges and a two finger off-white head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Streaks of soapy lacing left behind. Much darker than I expected.

Musty, funky aroma with a really strong horsey barnyard character followed by lactic funk, earthy oak and sweet cherry. I'm really surprised by how funky this smells, especially since my experience with Cascade is that their sours are usually more fruit forward. Lots of earthy oak, barn, cobweb and lactic cheesiness followed by sweet malt, cherry syrup and acetic vinegar. Smells like there are a ton of bugs and he cherry character takes a back seat. Slight medicinal quality as well.

Medium bodied with a very tart, puckering mouthfeel and a strong earthy, lactic funk presence that overpowers the sweet fruit flavor. Very funky with lots of lactic sourness. Strong oak barrel character with a ton of funky bugs, lactic cheesiness and acetic acid. Slightly harsh and acidic with a strong acetic vingear and solvent character lingering in the finish. Some tart cherry sweetness but the fruit has faded considerably at thus point and takes a back seat to the sour funk. I usually love Cascade sours but this was one dimensional and too heavy on the acetic solvent flavor. Pretty harsh and tough to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 08:31:43 | More by corby112

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010, poured into a Cascade goblet.

Appearance. Pours a hazy, deep red-brown with a little bit of a peach glow and a half finger of off-white head.

Smell. Funky dank wood, little sour cherries and a ton of them, a little bit of spicy belgian yeast and marzipan.

Taste. Sour, sour cherries. I mean SOUR. Some wet old wood and lemon juice.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium-low carbonation.

Overall. Very nice beer. Super sour, holy cow!!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 02:31:22 | More by Rutager

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

brystmar

Texas

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Barrel House.

Pours a dirty brown-red with plenty of stubborn head and lace. Tart bing cherries greet my nose as the yeast imparts a medicinal note. I recall the bottles smelling better, but this is still pleasant.

Fresh cherries, sweet malt, tart fruits, and sour yeast blend harmoniously in my mouth. 4.25/5 here, rounding up because Cascade is awesome.

Active body, yet still viscous enough to carry all the flavors. An excellent American-style kriek that's sure to convert your non-beer friends.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 20:13:41 | More by brystmar

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shared this 4 ways with my local BA's in a cascade sours tasting night!

reviewed from notes taken on 7/4/12.

2010 vintage poured into duvel tulip.

Appearance: murky red bodied beer with one finger of creamy white head.

Smell: Big vinegar, tart cherries, mild funk, and sweet malts.

Taste: Wow. This has got to be the most sour kriek that I have ever tasted. On the high end of moderately sour. Huge semi-sweet yet tart cherries. Hay, vinegar, mild funk. Nice complexity in this kriek!

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Tart and crisp with a mild sweetness that is a tad syrupy and helps to round out this beer.

Overall: This is way above most krieks that I have drank. I think that this beer does not get the accolades that it deserves, its really a enjoyable sour! This was my second favorite out of the cascade sour tasting of the four we drank(Sang Nior, Sang Royal, The Vine & Kriek)! This is the best flanders red I have drank to date!

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 17:21:43 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Duff27

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 version

Short head, some collar. Light murky red brown body.

From the smell one would know they're in for something.

Wooo! Cherries aplenty. I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10 on the sour scale.

Medium carbonation, medium mouthfeel.

I don't want to say one dimensional. Ecause that would be doing it a disservice but Kriek says "here I am, drink me!" just puts it right I the forefront. Thanks for the share 4DAloveofSTOUT.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 01:19:49 | More by Duff27

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 759 ml bottle into a 10 oz chalice.

A- pours a dirty burnt orange with a 1 finger off-white head. Ring of lacing coats the glass just above the surface of the beer.

S- blare amounts of sour and tart cherries. Some funk and pale malt as well.

T- sour, funk and tart cherries. Taste follows the nose almost identically.

M- medium body and carbonation. Fairly acidic but doesn't linger in the aftertaste.

O- good sour, but actually thought this would have a little more cherry flavor then it did. Would purchase and drink again though.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 01:26:32 | More by kawilliams81

Gmann

New York

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

2009 Vintage. Pours a hazy reddish brown color with a short moderately bubbled head that settles into a light ring.

The aroma is of cherry juice with hints of the oak barrel. Strong lemony sourness with some vinegar notes. There is a musty aroma from the yeast. Fair balance between the fruit and sour aromas.

Quite sour in the taste, not too vinegary which is good. Sour cherries serve to give the fruity flavor to the brew, which is then taking over by the sharp lactic sour flavor. Has a lemony and limey sourness and a hint of the oak. Kind of hard for me to get past the sour flavor.

The feel is light and extremely fizzy. Sour all over the palate from start to finish.

I would like the cherry flavor to come out some more. Sours are exactly my favorite style so I need to get more of the fruity flavor. Its well made and I am sure it is good for the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 00:11:31 | More by Gmann

srandycarter

California

3.98/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Murky dark raw honey. Off white head, tight bubbled. Not much lace.

S - Bread and band aids.

T - Cooked deep sweet cherries mixed with sour fresh cherries. Malt in the back, the band aid thing still lingering.

M - Medium body, good balance and carb.

D - Not a bad beer. Would have again.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 04:49:00 | More by srandycarter

RickS95

Indiana

3.15/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Certainly looks the style, pouring a reddish brown color. No head, just a slight light brown ring of tiny bubbles around the rim.

I love the smell. Notes of both sweet and tart cherries. There's a bit of Belgian yeast like scent that brings out both the sweetness and tartness, just in the smell alone.

Wow. If I didn't know it was cherries, I would guess it to be vinegar. No many how many times I try, I don't understand the style.

The level of sourness is extreme. It almost takes your breath away. It simply coats your tongue and you just start to salivate. Very unpleasant.

It might be a good beer for the stle, but in general, it's almost not drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 02:06:15 | More by RickS95

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 Vintage

I've passed up the chance to try this beer on numerous occasions, figuring that one day I would be on the west coast and would have a chance to try it. Ladies and gentlemen, that day has finally come.

I can say wholeheartedly and without reservation that, yes indeedy, this is a Flanders Red Ale. Gets better as it warms up with the nose and tart flavor profile gradually stepping up a notch. The lacto is present and noticeable, but thankfully it does not hijack the whole ride and merely accents on the back side. This is quite nice, quite nice. A really well done production that pulls off a difficult style. Long live the American brewer. I look forward to trying more of the wild ales, sours, and the like from Cascade.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 05:31:01 | More by RblWthACoz

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

GlassHalfFull

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Great sour that starts off a little more reserved than the coveted Sang Noir. Very light cherry flavor with a relaxed sour tartness. I've been finding my sour tongue, and this is a good one if you're new to the type. A little spendy, but worth it every-so-often. Would go well with dessert.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 01:49:06 | More by GlassHalfFull

maximep

New York

3.95/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

served in a tulip glass.

let me preface my review by saying I love sours.

A- amber, reddish brown brew. definitely is darker from the cherries.

S- pit fruity, citrusy, sweet, carmely, getting a lot of strawberry and raspberry upfront and then the sour kicks BIG. first one or so second is all fruity and then it turns all sour

T- very similar to the transition of smells, pit fruity to citrus, to caramel, except instead of strawberry the sweet part finishes with more grapiness which i didn't pick up in the smell. then transitions to a pleasant cherry pie tartness. what i mean by cherry pie is that kind of stewed, roasted cherry flavor.

M- I often find the cherry beers to have a bit of a medicinal mouthfeel but this is pretty perfect. not as wispy and fun as say, 3 Fonteinen Schaerbeekse but it's nice and easy to sip, coats the mouth enough but does not linger.

this beer is worth seeking out if you're into sours, it's a real treat and worth spending the 12-$20 (or whatever it costs in your area) even if you are to have it only once.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 00:39:33 | More by maximep

harrymel

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 2010

Pours a nice mahogany cherry ale with a mirrored surface. Smells of oak, cherry, and hints of ink. Really flanders like in the nose. Flavor is fucking sour, with cherry and more sour. It's kinda difficult to really taste anything through the fleeting barrage of acidity. Medium bodied with low carb and a mouth watering finish. This beer is sour, i enjoy it, but it's on the far reach of sour for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 04:22:33 | More by harrymel

Pahn

New York

3.68/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into Duvel tulip. 2009 bottling. Drank 3/28/12.

Appearance: Steady pour yields a 3/4 inch fizzy offwhite head that dissipates quickly. Pours an almost fully opaque maroon and leaves occasional small streaks of lacing.

Smell: Very full cherry aroma--both the Bing and sour cherries really stand out here. Some lactic and acetic notes, with flowery, fruity, funky aromas underneath. Enticing.

Taste: Powerfully sour and acidic, with a bold sweet cherry flavor sticking its head up from the ocean of sourness for a short period before the finish. Some dark and delicious sour cherry flavor comes out in the next sip, but not as forefronted as I'd like.

This beer isn't just sour, but very, very acidic--like liquid heartburn acidic. Much more sour and acidic than any other Cascade beer I've had. I'm missing the distinct lactic sourness and oak influence that I associate with Cascade (lactic element comes out further into the bottle, but oak is barely detectable).

There's a decent depth of flavor here, but it's not very harmonious. Huge cherry flavor is great (I love cherries), but the rest of the flavors don't particularly compliment. I wish the taste were as well-developed as the aroma.

Mouthfeel: Thin side of medium bodied. Very airy and dry. Highly carbonated.

Overall: There's flashes of greatness here, but it's not a beer that I would buy again (especially not at $20, but possibly not even at $10). It's reasonably enjoyable, but not very well balanced. I expect something more refined and tastier from such a great brewer of wild ales.

Edit: I don't like to update reviews buzzed, but I think having nursed this bottle for several hours has left me with enough sobriety to do it. Deeper in the bottle, some really clear, beautiful sour cherry flavor comes out, and while there is still almost no oak influence to be found, the satisfying lactic sourness builds disproportionately more than the harsh acidity.

In the end, I'm very satisfied with this beer. I still would not buy it again at $20/bottle, but I'm very much enjoying this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 03:26:02 | More by Pahn

UCLABrewN84

California

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to ZX6Chris for sharing this one while waiting in line for Churchill's Renaissance at Churchill's Pub & Grille in San Marcos, CA.

Pours a murky brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sour cherries, vinegar aromas, and a nice level of funk. Taste is very much the same with an acidic quality in the aftertaste. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that is really tasty and sour.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 20:49:37 | More by UCLABrewN84