Cascade The Vine - Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

blackie

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

draft at the barrel house

Served in a stubby chalice, the beer is a deep, golden color with a frothy white head. The nose is loaded with oaky white whine and white grape notes. Sweet malt. Following are earth, pear, and belgian yeast. The flavors follow suit, with an additional light tart. Light-medium bodied with a lively carbonation. Not my favorite Cascade, but unique and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2013 03:34:07 | More by blackie

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011

A - pours a hazy apricot type color. Just a bit hazy/cloudy. Super tall, loose head. Dissipates at a medium pace (points if you get the reference).

S - lots of tart/sourness, apples, cherries, white wine, some funk that grows more pronounced as it warms, musty smells come out as well.

T - nicely sour. Smooth punch of sour to start, just a touch of the vinegar notes, lots of sour fruit, apples, some grape, the white wine notes are there big time in the finishing stages. Nice element of funkiness comes in at the end.

M - very good. Avoids getting syrupy and stays crispy smooth throughout.

O - another excellent sour from cascade.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 18:53:21 | More by Beerandboards

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Slightly hazy golden-orange with a finger of frothy white head. Fades normal.

S - Tart grapes, funky Brett and other yeasts, oak, vanilla, lactic acid, lemon and other citrus zests, barnyard funk.

T - Sweet grainy malts, tart grapes and other stone fruits, oak, vanilla, funky Brett and other sour yeasts, lactic acid, lemon and other citrus zests, barnyard funk.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a tart, funky, and dry finish.

D - Great sour beer. Great smoothness and overall balance.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:36:18 | More by ngeunit1

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - pours a hazy gold with a white head and some nice lace. No bubbles.

S - big aroma initially. Prominent sweet white grapes with a semi-weird moldy barrel / funky basement character. A swirl stokes up a little funky pineapple. The weirdness fades after several swirls and what's left behind is more enjoyable.

T - is similar to the aroma, but not as robust and not quite as funky. The white grape is semi-dry in the flavor. Lacto provides good tartness without a trace of cheese in the flavor. The finish is lemony and slightly peppery.

M - light-medium body with a creamy quality. Semi-dry and medium tart, approaching sour.

O - an interesting and unusual beer with funky grape aromatics and a pleasant white grape tart flavor. It's quite boozy, but very well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 21:16:27 | More by GuzzLah

oline73

Maryland

4.16/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter.

The beer pours a light golden amber color with not much head at all. The smell is light with a tart sweetness to it. I am getting a wine note along with a light tartness. The taste is light and sour, but it's not a vinegar sourness. I am getting some wine along with a lemon juice like sourness. There is a slightly herbal funk in the finish. This is a nice sour and it hides the abv quite well.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 06:00:07 | More by oline73

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.68/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Thanks a lot to Ken for finding this on my wants and sharing.

The beer is light golden with a small white head. The aroma brings funk, stone fruits, yeast. Sour funk and apricots with a bit of a kick in the finish. Great feel with alcohol content well hidden. Light acetic finish. Pronounced apricots throughout. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 04:10:39 | More by Huhzubendah

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle opened on 2.26.13
2011 Project

A - Pours a clear, light orange with a large, very fizzy off-white to yellow head that is gone almost instantly.

S - Acidic, pretty funky, lemony and citrus, white grapes.

T - Funky, sweet grape, almost orange like finish, vinous.

D - Good carbonation with a light body.

O - Less acidic and more funky. Time has improved this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 05:01:20 | More by HuskyinPDX

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 750 ml bottle placed in a lambic basket into a Cascade Brewing branded "sour glass," in essence a short stemmed tulip

Pours a slightly hazy shimmering gold topped with a fizzy bright white head that dissipates fairly quickly to form a foam ring that leaves hints of lacing here and there. Lactic sour, light oak, a touch of light citrus, a hint of spice, yeastiness, and white wine accents on the nose. Grapeskin, chardonnay, light clove, pleasant toasted oak, little to no funk-but big yeasty notes midpalate rounded out by some lightly sweet honey. Finishes dry and sour with more white wine and oak and some warming alcohol. Heavy medium body with gentle but effervescent carbonation, silky smooth. Another exceptionally complex sour from Cascade Brewing.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 05:30:47 | More by chanokokoro

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged offering poured into a snifter. The brew appears a clear pale golden color with a thin white head that produces spotty lacing. A swirl revives a yellowish finger back to the surface.

The aroma opens with notes of white grape juice and funk. Some cheese, oak and wheat blend with a lemony tartness across the nose. A contrasting sweetness almost like vanilla is noted when swirled.

The flavor is tart and lemony. Some cheese, funk, oak and white grape juice blends in with a grainy wheat aspect that is dry and fresh. Overall the feel of this is like lemony sweet tart candy.

This is a medium bodied brew with a light amount of carbonation. It displays a mild tingle of alcohol character and warmth. Overall a unique wild that I thought was interesting and very easy drinking. I would get this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 19:42:46 | More by stakem

Murrhey

Montana

4.01/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Reviewed from a 2oz taster at Cascade Brewing. Reviewed from notes. I wish I had more to review, this may not be as thorough as I might have liked.

A- Half-a-finger white head. Some ringed retention. Light golden color.

S- Light, yeasty, tart and cotton candy is present as well, which is kind of odd. Sweet and some peppery spices.

T- Vinous, like a white wine. Sweet and of course tart. Like a cherry flavored white Zinfandel.

M- Vinous yet light, doesn't bog down with syrupy qualities.

O- Good sour, smell is awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2013 17:57:56 | More by Murrhey

alpineclimber

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Cork and caged 750ml bottle popped and poured into an oversized wine glass. The pour produces a lively head that recedes to a still, clear and orange brew, only a few bubbles are left on the surface.

The nose is of wood, sour grapes, slightly medicinal and sweet. Not as much off of the nose as some sours.

The taste is fairly subtle, a fruity grape taste and green apples are upfront in the taste. The taste starts out sweet but finishes fairly dry, which is a nice surprise. I would have to say this beer is vinous in nature, similar to a semi-sweet white wine.

The mouthfeel is surprising as each sip produces lively carbonation from a still looking glass of beer.

Not bad overall the taste is subtle , not as sour as I like. The alcohol is very well hidden and this beer is not sweet as I expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 00:45:52 | More by alpineclimber

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.86/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

The beer pours clear golden with a thin white head that fades quickly to nothing. The nose is moderately sour and vinous with a touch of sweetness. The taste is a bit off with a touch of sweet and sour grapes, peppery oak, and reserved bitterness in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel also seems a bit off and isn't as clean tasting as I'd previously experienced with Bruery/Cantillon grape-based sours. Regardless, this light bodied, effervescent, semi-dry sour is quite drinkable and will probably age relatively well. I'm glad to try this beer, but it's not my favorite of the style or from Cascade.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 00:43:47 | More by ThePorterSorter

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Bottle from Rutager, 2011 vintage.

Orange with light lacing and retention. Nose has some sweaty socks, white grape, white wine, oak, fruit and lighter fleshed fruits like peaches and apricots. Taste is lightly sour sweeter malt, white grape, apricot and nectarine. Medium full feel, and a gentle effervescence. Delightful.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 22:45:56 | More by liamt07

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.61/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cascade Brewing The Vine
2011 Project

Poured into a tulip glass from a 750ml bottle.

Pours a nice bright golden color with some nice pale straw colors. There is a nice half-inch white head that forms that recedes fairly quickly. (4.5)

Aroma is delicious fruity tartness with some slight woody funk and some barnyard notes mixed in with earthy grain. There is some nice slightly sweet apple and pear aroma as well as some nice vinous notes. There are some slight yeasty phenols to the nose as well. (4.5)

Wow. Nose doesn’t indicate the complexity of the flavor or how delicious it is. The brew starts of quite vinous with some nice sweetness and grape skin tartness. There is some nice fruit juice notes and sweetness that starts things off. Malty grain notes are present with some grain. Then some nice sharp grape tartness comes up quick and blends well with the sweetness. There are some mild woody notes present but these are more apparent in the nose. The flavor is quite dynamic and lively and balances nicely between the sweetness and the tartness. There are some slight spicy clove notes and some peppery notes similar to a Saison or a Tripel mixed in with the brew. The sweetness becomes slightly sugary as the brew warms up and the spice notes and grape tartness balance this amazingly. Body is light and refreshing. Great crisp and bubbly carbonation. Clean dry finish. (5.0)(5.0)

Amazing brew. Cascade to me can do very little wrong. The blend of grape sweetness and tartness with the wild yeast notes (funk, spice, slight phenols) is amazing and perfectly complimentary to each other. (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 02:13:04 | More by JoEBoBpr

flagmantho

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750mL bottle into a tulip. This is the 2011 project, at 9.73% ABV.

Appearance: rich golden hue with a tiny touch of haze and a strong effervescence. Head poured two fingers of frothy ivory foam which dissipated somewhat quickly. Attractive!

Smell: sweet malt with a light tartness and a definite white wine character. Subtle but not under-done; the overall effect is quite pleasing.

Taste: sweet, malty flavor with a light hint of grain and a nice tartness. Toward the end the white wine character comes out a little bit more effectively; this then morphs back to a maltier aftertaste. I like the dynamic character here; this beer is quietly confident. I like it a lot.

Mouthfeel: this beer is quite attenuated and has a pretty light body, but carbonation is high giving it a big, if ephemeral, creaminess; not unlike champagne, really.

Overall: this beer is tasty and super drinkable. This beer shares a lot in common with a sparkling white wine, and a good one at that. I am really enjoying this.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 20:29:01 | More by flagmantho

Auracom

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

The beginning of many samples at Cascade's barrel house in Portland. 2 oz. served in a taster tulip on November 29th, 2012.

A - Pilsner appearance. Light and clear golden with a frothy white head. Good lacing.

S - White grapeskins, honey or light brown sugar, grass, and very light lemon.

T - Lime juice, white wine vinegar, and trace amounts of dry, pitted fruit. The oak doesn't peak through quite like other sour blondes I've had.

M - Light body, high (appropriate) carbonation, lightly dry but surprisingly savory finish.

D - This never quite develops through the palate, yet the finish is plenty rich and inviting. Fair example overall.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 22:54:10 | More by Auracom

merc7186

New York

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber into sampler.

A: Mildly Hazy Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Decent Lacing

S: Grapes, Sour Mash, Hay

T: Grapes, Hay, Sour Mash

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Sour, Mildly Sweet

Overall, nice balanced between sweet and sour, great.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:21:30 | More by merc7186

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bottle of this at Russell's in Amherst. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Poured a crystal clear golden straw hue with a nice two finger head that faded quickly and condensed into a creamy quarter inch white blanket. Quite the transformation.

S - Aromas are very light. Light horse barn/funk with good vinous qualities.

T - Very nice barrel notes, toasted oak/vanilla with strong vinous notes along with faint barnyard funk. Nice grapeskin sour/tartness. Very light alcohol heat.

M - Mouthfeel is very, very good for a wild ale of this ABV. Alcohol heat is slightly noticeable. Strong prickly carbonation. Very nice and fits it well.

O - Overall this was a tasty beer. I think I like what sang noir brings to the table though. Still, as pricey as this is its a damn good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 20:47:21 | More by rudzud

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Really attractive golden clarity with a decent head, but the white bubbles crackle away quickly and leave nothing behind.

Aroma is gentler than I was expecting. Crabapples, vinous, toasted oak, yeast and a mild horseblanket funk in the aroma. Pleasant and slightly complex.

Mild flavors of grape skins, oak, sweet malt, and a light alcoholic heat. Tartness is up front, but really mellows in the middle. I get some great flavors from the grape additions which work very well with the sourness and the oak qualities.

The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, with some nice effervescence. Mouth puckering tartness, minimal heat, slightly creamy finish.

Not terrible at all! I am just not that impressed by this beer. Pretty drinkable, but I am going to call this a "safe" sour beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 19:21:21 | More by MusicaleMike

alpinebryant

Connecticut

4.7/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a very clear golden yellow with tiny white bubbles around the edges. some dusting in the middle of the glass

S: Aroma of tart lactic acid and oak barrel aging. Very sour and slightly sweet malt presence

T: Lactic flavors off the bat with a strong triple / quad blend of malt flavors. Riesling like flavors and grape juice flavors with a sweet candied sugar presence. Slight twang like sour bite at the end. Very complex and fruity as well as oaky, and mouth puckering. Lemon rind, and even a strong caramelized sugar flavor in here from the quad / triple blend. Overall a higher abv than I had thought until hopping on here to see it at 9%.

M: Medium body for the style, clearly a higher abv than most at this style. Lots of carbonation.

O: overall, a very flavorful and complex Wild Ale. Carbonation really shines for a beer at this high an abv, tons of sugary caramel flavors that blend to make this a well balanced wild ale with a lot to offer.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 22:01:26 | More by alpinebryant

davefromdesign

California

4.53/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was amazing. The perfect sour. It was full in flavor but unoffending. It reminded me of Rodenbach but was thankfully quite a bit less sweet.

We opened it up for dinner with company that don't normally favor sours but they loved it. It is very hard to find but I strongly recommend you purchasing a few bottles if you do find some. I paid ~$23 for the 750ml and it was well worth it.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 03:30:01 | More by davefromdesign

jdense

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage shared by Ron and Preston after OBF study release 9.11.12. Thanks guys.

Clear medium gold body, not a lot of visible carbonation, 1/2 finger pure white head, quick dissipation with minimal lacing. Grape forward nose, wine-like aromas, acidic, no hops to speak of. Once fully warmed, this beer was a revelation as to how grapes can be used in beers, given Ron's background in the wine industry no surprise. The grapes infuse a sweetness balanced by the lacto's sourness, dry tart finish, a bit of light funk once fully warmed, dry hay. Good grief. Mouthfeel on the light side of medium, not a lot of effervescence. A prime example of how barrel aging and patience can produce stunning results. Unbelievably tasty, a real treat.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 14:07:44 | More by jdense

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip.

Appearance
Gold/straw with 2 fingers of head that rapidly dissipates. Moderate carbonation.

Nose
Chardonnay, oak, white grapes, Sweet Tarts and light lactic notes.

Taste
Light-medium lactic sourness upfront. Sweet tarts, chardonnay, white grapes and French oak.

Mouthfeel
Light bodied, lightly sour, crisp and mildly dry.

Overall
Incredibly light and easy drinking for 9.73%. Mildly sour. The grape and barrel aging flavors are outstanding! A winner for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 12:59:28 | More by justintcoons

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had: bottle trade with msubulldog...thanks!

I figured I sat on this one long enough. Last night of a 12-day vacation, I cooked up some chicken stir-fry and popped this sucker open. Decanted into a Cascade goblet, The Vine was a slightly hazy liquid, golden amber, lively bubbling carbonation, capped off with a small white head; minimal retention and no real lacing to speak of. Aroma is tart with grapes and stone fruit, lactic and woody. Very tasty, sour fruits--grape, apricot, lemon, orange--but not bracingly lip-puckering, which was nice, lactic and well-tamed acetic notes, Chardonnay, grass, subtle oak in just the right quantity, sweet biscuity malts in the background. Medium-bodied, a bit sticky, nearly no alcohol taste or burn. Yep, this was one drinkable wild ale, and it paired brilliantly with my dinner. I have another bottle that I'll let sit for a while longer. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 13:16:57 | More by Rifugium

jgasparine

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured from the bottle with little to no head. The body was a hazy golden color, completey obscure, with a few bubbles trickling up the side of the glass.

S- Big light fruit esters combine with some bold lactic aromas on the nose. A very rich nose overall-simple but enticing.

T- Huge, rich light fruit esters are met with a bold, but pleasant lactic tartness, which lingers long into the finish. Tons of little nuances, ranging from honey to oak. Absolutely fantastic with balance.

M-A big mouthfeel for a lambic. Somewhat chewy. Low astringency for the style, which really added to the experience. Carbonation was pleasantly soft.

O- A fantastic beer. Up there with the best Belgian wild ales.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 00:23:18 | More by jgasparine