Cascade Apricot Ale - Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Got a bottle of this at Julio's and poured in to my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a very nice crystal clear golden hue with edgings of honey atop of which was a good one finger head that faded to a very, very thin blanket with minimal side lacing.

S - Aromas of a nice sour blonde ale, light vinegar notes akin to a flanders with light apricot/stone fruit aromas intermingling throughout.

T - Taste is very, very nice. Not quite as nice as Filmishmish (the only other apricot beer on memory), but enjoyable nevertheless. Tart, tart stone fruits with that vinegary, vinous background. Very pleasant notes of apricot, sour/tart barrels and lactose. Delicious.

M - Mouthfeel is excellent. Light bodied, higher carbonation. Definitely wonderful. Incredibly drinkable stuff here.

O - Overall, this was a delicious beer albeit at a steep price point. Wish I could drink stuff like this more often/throughout the year. Excellent job from Cascade.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:37:03 | More by rudzud

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I received a 750 mL bottle of Cascade Apricot Ale as a Christmas gift. My girlfriend and I split the bottle. Poured into my Rodenbach Grand Cru glass.

Appearance (4.5/5): Cascade Apricot has a gorgeous orange hue that makes it appear as if it glows. It is translucent and topped by a bubbly, two-finger white head. A ring of white foam forms around the rim of the glass and endures for the duration. Excellent look to the beer and a cool looking bottle.

Smell (4.5/5): This beer smells very tart! Apricot, lemon/orange citrus notes, lactic sourness, and some funk from the wild yeast. I also pick up woody notes undoubtedly imparted to the beer through the oak barrel aging. Pretty gorgeous.

Taste (5/5): Extreme tartness–lots of apricot and lemon/orange flavors to be had, alongside the classic lactic sour notes you find in Flemish Reds and Oud Bruins. Barrel-aged woodiness lurks in the background, though this beer is all about showcasing the fruity and sour flavors. Thus, the beer doesn't "feel" quite as "aged" or "old" as some Belgian sours do. The beer's taste certainly has a lot in common with that of lambics–fruity and sour all at once. Despite the Apricot Ale's strength, not a trace of alcohol can be detected. This beer is exquisite; a perfectly crafted sour beer.

Mouthfeel (5/5): The mouthfeel is extraordinary and exhibits the best characteristics of Belgian/Flemish sour ales. Apricot Ale features a medium-light body and medium-high carbonation. The beer's lactic sourness lends a slightly mouth-puckering feel. The fairly vigorous carbonation gives it a pleasant effervescence and combines well with the sourness to induce a prickly sensation on the tongue. The beer is not cloying or overly puckering by any stretch; it is actually easy-drinking and refreshing.

Overall (5/5): Apricot Ale was a wonderful introduction to Cascade Brewing. It is a great spin on sour ale. Everything about this beer–its appearance, smell, taste, and mouthfeel–is stellar. The no-holds-barred tartness and beautifully effervescent, slightly puckering mouthfeel really won me over. If you like sour ales and haven't tried any brews by Cascade, you must do so post haste.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 00:48:34 | More by hagbergl

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Split a 750 ml three 4 ways. Poured Into a duvel tulip.

A: pours a hazy peachy golden with a nice half a finger of slightly off white head and a touch of lacing.

S: smells of oak and sourness, peach fuzz, apricots, nice!

T: nice tartness right up front, touch of vinegar, then into an awesome peachy/apricot juicyness, delicious, a nice bit of oak on the end. Great sourness, and fruitiness, reminds me of a delicious peachy lemonade.

M: nice light medium mouthfeel with some great creamy carbonation, dry and tart on the finish with a touch of oak. And a nice lingering aftertaste that reminds me of drinking pink lemonade.

O: this beer is delicious, great balance between sweetness and tartness, with an awesome mouthfeel, awesome!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 04:12:51 | More by PeterIngemi

merc7186

New York

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into snifter glass.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Some Lacing

S: Sweet Apricot, Mild Sour Mash

T: Bitter Apricot, Sour Mash

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Semi Bitter

Overall, true to form and flavor, very solid sour apricot ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 01:18:39 | More by merc7186

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Project 2011. 7.76%
750ml bottle poured into a tulip.

Appearance
Hazy gold with 2 fingers of white head. Better than average retention for a sour. Low-moderate carbonation. Very find lacing drips down the glass.

Nose
Apricot, Sweet Tarts, peach, nectarine, lactic acid and oak.

Taste
Big lactic sourness and vinegar upfront. Juicy apricots, peach and pink lemonade. Some nectarine and Sweet Tarts. Bready notes underneath with drizzles of caramel and chestnut. Just a touch of French oak on the finish.

Mouthfeel
Light bodied, clean and refreshing with a moderate-heavy sourness.

Overall
Very potent stuff. Excellent sourness with big juicy fruits. Very easy drinking and complex. Yummers! :)

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 20:39:09 | More by justintcoons

smakawhat

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. 2011 Project.

Wonderful orange and yellow apricot glow. Opaque. A creamy white head hits with lots of staying power, merringue like top and like a dolop of icing. Great looking here.

Nose is fantastic. Brett sharp citrus, and tangy apricot funk angles. Nice oak round character and a hiding sweetness, sense of pepper very light also. It smells absolutely fantastic, just mouthwatering.

Palate hits with all that sour apricot sensations. Very tart finish, and lingering depth of malt. Huge thick teeth coating action and feel with a real nice light body. Palate doesn't unfortunately provide the depths of flavor that are hinted on the nose though. Juicy. Brings out more candy orange drops, and lemon tangy zip. Just a hint of wet but incredibly quenching and easy to drink.

What a fantastic exception if you can't have Fou Foune! I love the fact this is made in America would love to have this on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 22:05:44 | More by smakawhat

flagmantho

Washington

4.2/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from 750mL corked & caged bottle into a tulip. This is a 2011 bottle.

Appearance: medium golden hue with a touch of haze and a strong effervescence. Head is two fingers of frothy, fizzy ivory foam. A good looking beer!

Smell: sweet aroma with a light sourness and a touch of farmhouse funk. The apricot comes through nicely but is not overpowering at all. It has a very natural quality to it.

Taste: a nice moderate sourness and a light funk start off the flavor, which then reveals a rather strong sweetness and a good apricot flavor, which blends well with the acidity. As the other elements begin to fade away, the tartness reestablishes itself on the palate. A nicely dynamic flavor, although it's not super-complex. I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a big carbonation and a mouth-filling if evanescent creaminess. Works for me!

Overall: this is a tasty and very refreshing beer; insanely drinkable for its high ABV. I happen to love well-done fruit sours, and this beer is no exception. This is where I eschew objectivity and just say that this is a beer that really works for me; love it!

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 00:50:59 | More by flagmantho

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle, 2011 project, no bottled-on date, poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours a hazy apricot color, produces a thick white head, leaves spotty lacing.

S- Really delicious and powerful apricot aroma, also some acidity, wine and oak.

T- Similar to the aroma, lots of apricots and a nice prominent lactic tartness, maybe some citrus and peach. The barrels provide flavors of oak, a bit of grapes and dry tannins.

M- Light to medium-bodied, has a smooth, crisp feel with a dry finish.

O- A delicious beer, one of the better American sours I've had recently, excellent all-around.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 04:42:59 | More by WillCarrera

Auracom

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very nearly ordered this a few times online, but now glad to have it on-tap from the source. 2 oz. served in a taster tulip on November 29th, 2012.

A - Looked almost identical to The Vine but pours a bit murkier.

S - Lemon peel, floral, and rich apricot jam. Not quite as deep as Fou Foune but the apricot is every bit as welcoming.

T - Front end is plentiful lemon acidity. Apricot comes through more at mid palate with a rich and sweeter note. Not as much depth here.

M - Light body, moderate carbonation, semi-dry finish. Just fine here.

D - Second best apricot notes I've had. I'm not convinced that this specific fruit really shines in the drink of any sour/wild. Still, a good brew here.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 22:56:37 | More by Auracom

mdaschaf

Washington

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy orange color with a small white head on top with minimal lacing, but some nice white lacing down the glass.

S: Nice tart fruit, some apricot, pear, and a little apple. A little bit of wine and brett with a good bit of wood and oak coming through near the end.

T: Very balanced flavor profile with some apricot and plenty of oak. It has a great level or tartness with a nice pucker to it. There is a nice funk/barnyard presence.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation, great level of tartness.

O: Really enjoyed this beer, if it weren't so pricey I would grab a bunch of it.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 05:22:31 | More by mdaschaf

PacNWDad

Washington

4.18/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter. Pours an amber hue, with a decent amount of hops. Somewhat cloudy in appearance. Aroma is very fruity as would be expected, with apricot, lemon and some earthiness. Some funk in there as well. Flavor is an excellent combo of sweet and sour. More sour than sweet, but a surprising amount of fruit and some malt as well balance out the sourness very well. Nice citrus notes as well. Modest amount of carbonation. Overall, this is an excellent beer - my favorite in this style.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 03:04:38 | More by PacNWDad

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 bottling
Pours a crystal clear deep golden color with a huge bubbly white head that slowly dissipates to a cap. Smells of tart pitted fruit with a solid shot of funk. The nose is full of citrus and lactic aroma's. The flavor is quite tart and acidic. A solid shot of lemons and sweet tarts with some light tart fruit, a hint of alcohol and a sneaky bit of oak and vanilla. Medium body with a spirited level of carbonation and a tart lactic bubbly mouthfeel. This is a really nice sour ale, I really enjoyed this on the night before hurricane Sandy.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 23:52:44 | More by johnnnniee

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Sweetwater mini-snifter.

Big thanks to homebrew311 and Bellabananas for sharing this bottle!

2011 Project. Apricot always was one of my favorite Jolly Rancher flavors... Anyway, this stuff pours a mildly hazy golden-brass topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises apricot jam, tangerine zest, mandarin orange, lemon zest, and a vague sense of sweetening spices way in the background. The taste holds notes of lactic peach, funky wheat, and lemon flesh. It's a bit simpler than the nose, but tasty and effective nonetheless. The body is a light medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a dry, sticky finish. Overall, a highly enjoyable fruity sour, one I really wish I could try over and over again. Good times.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 02:40:15 | More by TMoney2591

zac16125

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle poured into a tulip
2011 Project

Thanks to Mark000 for sending this over in a trade.

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden amber/brown color with 1 fingers width of off white head that is fizzy and dissipates down to absolutely nothing almost as quickly as it forms, a steady stream of carbonation bubbles can be seen rising to the top of the glass throughout the entire drink. Leave no lacing.

S: Belgium yeast banana, cinnamon, some barnyard funk, apricot and peach, sour apple, sour lemon lime, what an amazing bouquet, so much going on! Purely intoxicating.

T: Like the nose, its an exploding cornucopia of flavors. Tart citrus acidity up front, sweet characters on the finish, with some oak on the finish as well. Tart sour lemon-lime, apricot and a big Belgium yeast banana finish, even some tart dark fruits, like sour cherry. Great balance of tart and sweet, and the tripel base comes out nicely. Wonderful.

M/D: Heavy carbonation. Body is on the lighter side, but certainly not thin. Crisp, refreshing mouthfeel. ABV is well masked, and drinkability is high for the style. I had no trouble finishing this bomber, and would have gladly enjoyed another glass if offered one!

O: Overall, a great beer. I loved this one. The tripel base morphed into a sour lambic is my kind of beer. Great complexity and depth. Amazing aroma and great palate profile. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 17:58:47 | More by zac16125

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle thanks to apocalypsezombie. Cheers Tom!

It pours a hazy orange..apricot colour with a huge head of billowy foam. The tip of the foam looked so inviting so I tongued it. Hehe...sour apricot. Who'd have thunk. Oh, and there's some good lacing left behind as the foam shrinks slowly.

The smell: fruity tartness, big, oakiness medium, vanilla, hints. I can't wait to take my first "official" sip.

Ahh...sour apricot is so delicious up front and in the finish. Just the right amount of oak and light vanilla notes rounding off this most excellent brew.

The second pour done and it's a more than hazy. The foam was also easier to deal with, about a finger's worth. The sourness never goes over the top so this, I think, would be a great beer to share with someone newish to the style. I also like how the abv is approachable; some slight warming but it doesn't hurt the drinkability at all.

I wish this came in smaller packages so I wouldn't have to finish it in one go. I'll be sad when it's gone.

Medium bodied, medium carbonation, excellent mouthfeel.

Clearly, another great offering from the gang at Cascade!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 15:10:05 | More by Bitterbill

UCLABrewN84

California

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap for the 2012 Peter Reeves Memorial Sourfest at Churchill’s Pub & Grille in San Marcos, CA.

Pours a slightly hazy honey orange with a foamy off-white head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is sour and tart with some peach and apricot aromas. Taste is much the same with an acidic finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that is tasty and super drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2012 01:22:44 | More by UCLABrewN84

Boz12

Washington

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Light orangish, yellow color. Kind of like an apricot!

S: Heaven. All the delicious funk and tart aromas you would expect from the style but with a blast of apricots combined together into a glorious bouquet.

T: Apple cider (as well as some mystery spices that I associate with apple cider). A lot of apricot. Nice acidity that is slightly reminiscent of vomit but in a very good way. Light funk. Apple pie. Very refreshing.

M: Somewhat sticky mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation.

O: I've yet to be anything less than blown away by everything I've had from Cascade. Granted I haven't had any of their non-sour beers. This beer is delicious and since it is damn near impossible to cop some Fou' Foune around these parts, this is a worthy substitute and every bit as good in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 10:42:12 | More by Boz12

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2oz taster pour
Enjoyed at the barrel house in Portland, OR on 9/2/12

A: Pours out a very pale yellow color. It's fairly cloudy. I get a mild bright white lacing when I swirl it, but the head on the small pours is basically not there.

S: On the nose, I get that acidic sourness. A good amount of that tart green apple and then a sweetness from the Apricot I assume.

T: Taste follows the nose: Green apples, white grape juice, stinging sourness. The Apricots are there adding some sweetness to the tart fruit juice flavors. Don't get tons of oak on this one, but whats there adds some roundness to the brew. Softens the edges.

M: Light bodied, dry finish.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2012 19:49:46 | More by inlimbo77

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

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

Murky orange with a billowing white head, that's transient and fades to a white ring with mild retention. Nose has some blond ale leanings with acetic character, sweeter oak and fruitiness - apricot is light but identifiable. A bit of Macintosh apple as well. Taste is acetic up front, vinegar, apricots over a sweeter blond ale character. More green/Macintosh apple, without any alcohol. Sweet/sour finish, medium carbonation and acetic pucker, which gives impression of a carbonation that's higher than it is. More apricot flavour here than Fou Foune I thought, but doesn't hold that same kind of funk that the Cantillon provides - superior in fruit flavour inmy mind though. A fantastic fruited sour.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 16:45:06 | More by liamt07

draheim

Washington

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750mL (2011 project) into a tulip. Pours a clear golden color w/ a 1-finger white head, lively carb.

Aroma is oak, tart funk, light fruit.

Taste is refreshingly sour, oaky. Apricots are subtle, adding a touch of fruity sweetness.

Mouthfeel is crisp and clean w/ a dry finish.

Overall another tasty sour from Cascade. So drinkable and refreshing, I can't stop taking another sip.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 04:57:54 | More by draheim

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy copper orange pour with a huge plume of fluffy white head that laces thickly. There isn't any distinct sediment and the head retention is quite fair. The nose is distinctly apricoty with an underlying tartness and subtle sweetness. The taste is very well balanced as sweetness from the malt and fruit play nicely with the souring bacteria on my palate. There is a residual acetic dryness, but it doesn't feel as if microbial cultures are growing on my palate. The beer tastes/feels a tad watered down. It's refreshingly fruity, drinkable, and sour as expected without any noticeable alcohol (considering this beer's abv is nearly 2x a fou'foune). I definitely enjoyed this beer and it's reasonable to acquire (including cost and availability in my area - shipped direct from the brewery). I will purchase it again at next year's release.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 01:39:31 | More by ThePorterSorter

Etan

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml into a wine glass. 2011 bottle.

A: Murky orange-gold body with a nice white head.

S: Pleasant bretty damp funk, pale malt, hint of tart fruit, some subtle spicy esters behind.

T: Nice lactic tartness and lemony acidity, big apricot presence, slightly phenolic tripel base can be detected in the finish.

M: Prickly, fine carbonation and a light body.

O: The fruit presence on this beer is awesome. Really impressed.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 23:53:49 | More by Etan

zeledonia

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage. Tasted 27 July 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours hazy orange amber, a bright fruity-grainy color. One finger of white head, relaxes to a thick cap, and leaves little sponges of foam stuck to the glass.

Smells amazing. A tart lemony sour, balanced perfectly by a subdued fruity apricot sweetness. The blend of potent sour (too much for my non-beer-enthusiast tasting companions) with just enough fruit is fantastic.

Taste is excellent, but not quite on the level of the smell. Apricot comes through less here, primarily as a juicy sweetness that does, again, complement the sour really well.

Mouthfeel is delightful. Light-bodied and fizzy, a bit like drinking champagne, with all those little bubbles stirring things up. Sticky on the lips. Flavors gradually fade into a fluctuating sweet-sour-sweet sine wave of goodness.

A fantastic fruit lambic, one of the best American ones I've had. Excellent balance of tart sour with sweet fruit, though it definitely leans more towards the sour. Bottle says to serve at 40 degrees F, and I agree. As it warmed up, the sour became more prominent, overpowering the apricot, and it didn't have the same smooth balance.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 22:57:07 | More by zeledonia

ehammond1

California

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle (2011 Project)

Acquired via online purchase

Hazy light amber and orange with a small off-white head that leaves dots of stick down the gueuze glass.

Complete aroma with good amounts of lactic sourness along with juicy, authentic layers of apricot, peach, sweet malt, and mild wood.

The flavor is just as good as the aroma, with generous amounts of apricot and peach flavors, a mild earthy funk, mild wood, and moderate to high levels of lactic sourness. Complete and delicious.

Medium bodied with high carbonation. A joy to drink.

One of my absolute favorites.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 01:08:16 | More by ehammond1

harrymel

Washington

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at barrel house 04AUG12 - from notes.

pours a nice golden ale with a white rim of foam. I dive in nose first - straight childhood hit me - I grew up with an apricot tree in the backyard. This was beautiful. I can't understand how they get the apricot into the nose like this - fucking magic. I taste, anticipating a little too sweet. I was wrong. Nice and tart with a good apricot flavor and some hints of lemon and the slightest taste of copper. Medium bodied with moderate carb and an off dry finish. I left with four bottles - so I musta liked it. So did my bride, so that is awesome.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 05:35:57 | More by harrymel