Das Wunderkind! Saison - Jester King Craft Brewery

womencantsail

California

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pale yellow color with a tall white head. Starts off with a mild lemon nose and some tart melon. Great wine aroma and a moderate funkiness, mostly straw and grass, maybe a hint of must. The flavor is more enjoyable than the nose. Great lactic tartness with some white grape, wine, and a hint of green apple. A light citrus note, plenty of straw and grass, and a bit of oak. Really an all around great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 19:07:55 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to wsnich for getting some of this out my way. Thanks to kjkinsey and wagenvolks for providing bottles for future tastings.

Served in a Jester King goblet.

Pours a very hazy apricot color with a short white head. Retention is fairly poor and there isn't much lacing on the way down. No cap or collar either.

What it lacks in appearance it really makes up for in aroma. From the start I get some fairly-brisk lactic notes plus a moderate amount of fruit -- mostly peach and apricot, but also a bit of strawberry. Light earthiness to the background. Very well integrated with complexities throughout.

The flavor meets the high bar set by the nose. There is light acidity at the front end, followed by a mélange of fruits and mild perceived sweetness through the palate. Some barnyard funk hits alon side some peach, melon, and strawberry. Lactic acidity is Perfect.

Body is light with nice lactic and Brett presence throughout. The carbonation is a bit low, but that's the only place I can knock it.

Great overall beer and something I would be thrilled to drink again and again.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 00:24:58 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a cloudy goldenstraw color with a rather modest head that fades rather quickly though it does leave some splashy stippling behind

Smell: Tart and citrusy, with a range of fruit aromatics (lemon, strawberry and green apple); lactic sour elements build though they are complemented by a floral perfume

Taste: A range of fruit flavors (lemon, green apple and strawberry) is joined by the lactic sourness in the middle; the oak adds another dimensino, after the swallow, along with a hint of floral flavor that lingers into the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with low to moderate carbonation

Overall: Jester King has a real way with low ABV beers, packing them full of a range of flavors; having made my way through almost a dozen of their offerings, this one may well be my favorite

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 00:09:44 | More by brentk56

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Served in a snifter.

Thanks to twiggamortis420 for this bottle!

I think we'd all be a lot better off with those kickass goggles... Anyway, this stuff pours a hazy golden topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises flowers, light honeydew, light mandarin orange, very light tangerine, and a healthy amount of wheat. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a mild tartness in the background that most closely resembles a lightly watered-down lemon twist. The body straddles the line between hefty light and light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a solid saison, though one whose sourness exists more on the label than in the beer itself. Still, not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 05:13:42 | More by TMoney2591

Mora2000

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Draught House 43rd Anniversary Party.

The beer pours a cloudy yellow color with a large white head. The aroma is full of citrus notes. I get a lot of orange and lemon character, as well as a little bit of tartness and a little bit of barnyard funk. Very nice.

The flavor is similar. The orange and lemon notes dominate the flavor, but there is also a nice acidic component which adds some sourness to the beer. The two sides of the flavor go very well together and make the beer very drinkable.

Medium mouthfeel and low carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 21:27:16 | More by Mora2000

MasterSki

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Mike (Thorpe429) in an attempt to prove that Jester King brews shouldn't be judged by their hideous labels. Served in a tulip.

A - An finger of off-white foam settles to a thin collar, topping a hazy peach body.

S - Nice funky brett, some sour lemons, mild toasted grains, crackery malts, and a hint of lotion.

T - Taste is equally enjoyable, with lemon and lactic sourness, a bit of dry wood, mild crackery malts, and some stone fruit in the periphery. Quite refreshing.

M - Smooth yet dry texture, surprisingly hefty medium body, medium-low carbonation, and no apparent alcohol. Thought this was bigger than 4.2%, so color me impressed.

D - Quite nice - if Jester King is getting these flavors from their local terroir I may need to seek out future farmhouse offerings from them. Well played Mike - this was a really nice beer that was a well-timed palate cleanser during the evening. I may need to trade for a bottle or two to enjoy during the summer months - or hopefully this gets distributed in our neck of the woods.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 23:49:33 | More by MasterSki

mdfb79

New York

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 03/30/12 notes.

a - Pours a murky orange yellow color with one finger of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of sour fruits, peaches, light citrus, earthy notes, floral notes, yeast, and some light funk. Very nice nose.

t - Tastes of sour peaches and fruits, wine, yeast, funk, earthy notes, citrus hops, spice. Again, quite nice.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Very easy to drink. Very smooth.

o - Overall a very nice beer. Some nice light sourness and funk, but not too much, and very easy to drink. Would love to get more of this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 17:31:59 | More by mdfb79

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy golden orange. White head.

Aroma/Taste: A nice amount of fruity citrus. Orange and lemon. Some yeast and funk with tart green apples. It has a sourness to it as well. Kind of line a berliner and a gueuze.

Mouthfeel: Sour and tart. Light bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall, this was really easy to drink and really enjoyable. I was surprised by this one. I wish I could drink this more often.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 16:49:34 | More by mothman

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Served from bottle into a DogFish Head Signature snifter. Poured a hazy golden yellow-orange with a one finger white head that subsided to a half finger very slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, orange, funk, orange zest, and spice. The flavor was of sweet malt, lemon rine, citrus, funk, fruit, and lemon juice. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. While this one was not quite as robust as some from the style it managed to be very refreshing and very well balanced. The lemon note going on in this one was very nice and well incorporated. Wish more breweries would do the same with their saisons. A must try if you have not done so already.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:42:52 | More by thagr81us

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer is hazy and straw yellow with a small and fleeting white head. The aroma offers citrus, wild yeast, a touch of lemon, maybe pie crust (malt). Quite good. Easy to drink, light in body. Like a lighter version of RR Temptation. Good stuff, I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 02:35:02 | More by Huhzubendah

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

750 mL bottle pours a mostly clear gold color with a small white head. Lots of lace but not much retention.

Nose is surprisingly equal parts saison and sour. The grain and yeast are pleasantly prevalent. Peach, white grapes, honeydew melon and dough. Light tartness.

The base saison is quite impressive - light, grainy and yeasty. If you want a super sour beer though, this is not the beer you seek. The sourness is noticeable, but it is light and delicate. Too light for an expensive 4.5% sour, at least for my wallet. Its a really nice beer, but I just wish it was more sour, either that or less expensive. Mouthfeel is really nice, the carbonation is superfine and the base saison could hang with many of the better saisons from Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 22:28:41 | More by twiggamortis420

FosterJM

California

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1212th Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet
750ml

Thanks to lnashsig for this one.

App- A very hazy golden yellow with soft orange highlights. A very quick fading 1/2 white bubbly head with zero cling.

Smell- A soft sour with punchy fruit, yeast and a thick malt backbone. Retains the wheaty soft and light Saison notes but is dominated by the sour.

Taste- Well, for 4% this has some great flavors. I get some apple, sour candy, orange and lemon citrus sour. On the back more yeast and wheat saison with a good balance and small pockets of flavors.

Mouth- A very light and grainy body with a light and fresh cabonation. Left huge residual sour notes and citrus orange and lemon.

Drink- Very good. Highly drinkable and small. Big pockets of sour and a balanced yeasty, wheat like small saison. Ive enjoyed the small drinkable sours.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 02:23:36 | More by FosterJM

champ103

Texas

3.35/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On cask at the Hey Merchant in Houston, TX.

A: Pours a cloudy/hazy golden/yellow color. A two finger white head forms with good retention. Light lace is left behind.
S: Up front is a sour and funky twang. Slightly acidic. Plenty of passion fruits, pineapple, and lemon aromas that are nice.
T: Follows the nose with the funk, sourness, and passion fruits. Though seems to be lacking . Nothing in the finish, and just feels empty. Needs more "umpth".
M/D: A light body and carbonation Pretty watery and thin. Easy to drink. I can put a few away if I wanted to.

This is almost a great funky/tart Saison. Not there yet. Very enjoyable, especially with the low alcohol. Though not among the better versions of the style IMO. Still very nice and worth a try.

Serving type: cask

02-16-2012 02:12:47 | More by champ103

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into a 25cl Duvel tulip. Big thanks to Dan for sharing this one.

A: Cloudy orange body with a thin, fine off-white head. Not all that great.

S: Bright, fruity, vibrant. Tart lemon + lime, sharp blue cheese, and grassy hay-like funk. Really nice.

T: Even more sour than the nose, with lovely fruitiness and citric acidity ahead of some vegetal, earthy funk. Vanilla and dry tartness on the finish. Excellent.

M: Moderately light-bodied with vigorous carbonation. Nice and lively.

O: Really, really tasty little sour. Refreshing, complex, and easy-drinking. I'd love to have it again, and look forward to trying more stuff from this newly funkified brewery.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 22:27:13 | More by woosterbill

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy golden-orange with a finger of frothy white head. Fades fairly slowly.

S - Sweet wheat and grainy malts, lemon zest, tart green fruits, funky Brett and other yeasts, lactic acid, Belgian yeast, light spices.

T - Sweet grainy malts and wheat, tart green fruits, funky Brett and other yeasts, lactic acid, Belgian yeast, coriander, some other spices, lemon zest, citrus hops.

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

D - Great sour saison. Good balance with nice complexity and body.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:06:29 | More by ngeunit1

billab914

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes, opened as part of a haul from a great group of Texas BA's. Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tasting glass. It poured a cloudy orange color with a thin white head around the edges of the glass.

The aroma is tart with some notes of sour lemon to it. There is a little funk there as well. The taste follows through with a little more of the sour lemon flavors. The taste also shows a little bit of a white wine/grape like quality to it at times as well. A hint of some earthy yeast spice peeks through. It's very tart and crisp with a dry finish.

The mouthfeel is on the thinner side with carbonation being above average. Overall, it was a very solid beer. I especially liked the sour citrus notes to it. It really came together pretty well and was very flavorful and drinkable. Very nice beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 15:32:01 | More by billab914

mdaschaf

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Lee for hooking me up with this one!

A: Pours a hazy golden color with orange highlights. A one finger white head forms upon pouring and reduces to a thin rung on top. Spotty lacing.

S: Definitely funky with a bit of barnyard/hay. A nice sour component with some lemon and apricot.

T: A great, tart fruit flavor hits right away with more apricot, lemon, and some green apple. A little bit of a woody/earthy flavor with nice sourness.

M: Light to medium bodied, low to medium carbonation, but drinks very easily. Had no problem drinking the entire bottle. Slightly dry finish.

O: A great beer. Almost like a gueuze with the flavor profile. Would drink this all the time if I could.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 01:02:48 | More by mdaschaf

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pour is cloudy fuzzy orange with a thinner white head with loose . Interesting stuff, lots of dry wood, notes of tart lemon, a touch of lacto, notes of citric orange peel. The taste follows, a touch tannic and a hint of whiskey. Semi dry finish, high tight carb, about empty in the back. More oranges towards the back and a decent sweetness accompanies the lactic acid notes.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 15:14:26 | More by cpetrone84

wagenvolks

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into a tulip glass.

A soft hiss upon opening but the bottle nearly gushes, stopping short just before the foam erupted. Effervescent body is a hazy golden color, bright and yellowish with a thin wisp of off-white foam. Excellent aroma, with fruity hop notes balanced nicely with a whiff of Bretty funk and a tinge of sourness. Grassy, with barnyard hay and earth, too. The dry-hopping has really worked nicely for Das Wunderkind!

Oh wow. I am now sold on Jester King's mission of bringing Farmhouse wild ales to the imbibers of Texas. Tart notes from the Lactobacillus mesh beautifully with funky Brett and earthy, grainy malt notes. Sour grips the sides of the tongue, but not so much that the rest of the palate can't enjoy the delicate hop flavor. Crisp, medium-thin body with a perfect carbonation level. In many ways, Das Wunderkind! reminds me of New Belgium's Le Terroir---the sour, dry-hop, and funk all blend together supremely well. Really enjoyable, and at 4.2% ABV, immensely drinkable. Easily Jester King's finest effort to date.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 04:29:19 | More by wagenvolks

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle opened on 9.26.12.

A - Pours a hazy medium orange with a half inch white head composed of large bubbles that slowly fade to the edges.

S - Super tart smelling, it makes my tongue tremble. Mostly light citrus fruit.

T - Some tart lemons, but not as strong as the nose, more saison yeast and farmhouse.

D - Lower carbonation with a thinner body.

O - Tart to the nose, sasion in the drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:53:57 | More by HuskyinPDX

homebrew311

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is cloudy yellow, with yeast in suspension with minimal head. Nose is full of sourdough, lemon rind, vinegar, and a bit of funk. Taste is light and tart with a bit of sweetness up front and a finish of lemon and tons of acid. Mouthfeel is light and bubbly and fits the beer well. Overall, a clean refreshing brew with nice flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 01:22:59 | More by homebrew311

merc7186

New York

3.83/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bomber into snifter glass.

Thanks to tofuspeed for the great bottle.

A: Hazy Golden Straw Hue/Orangish Hue, Passes Some Light, White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Lemons, Hay, Mild Apricot, Mildly Yeasty

T: Hay, Lemons, Mildly Yeasty

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Yeasty, Mildly Funky

Overall, a pretty nice and balanced saison...didnt get much 'sour' from it though but a nice saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:40:01 | More by merc7186

Phelps

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the bottle: “young beer is blended with mature stock that’s spent several months aging in neutral wine barrels with wild yeast, prior to dry-hopping and packaging.” Shared by ottovon, poured into a tulip.

The color and clarity of peach slices — this is cloudy stuff, though I did get a pour from near the bottom of the bottle. A wispy white head fizzles away quickly.

In the nose: sweet pear, wheat, a bit of funk. Not much else to it.

The nose played a trick on me, hiding a tartness which feigns strength but subsides quickly. Funk is big, overshadowing the lighter notes of pear, lemon and wheat. Finishes a little dry and fairly clean.

Surprisingly thick in body, though again this may be a result of the yeast. Medium, with light and tingly carbonation. The swallow delivers the tartness, but it’s washed away fairly quickly.

Das Wunderkind ist lecker (tasty). Drinkable and refreshing, though lacking in depth and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 04:43:14 | More by Phelps

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle poured into Deschutes tulip/snifter glass. No bottle date present, but know this is pretty new.

A: Pours a very hazy, cloudy yellow gold color. I got about a half finger of fluffy big bubbled white head. Not a ton of lacing from the swirl.

S: Smells of tart green apples and grapes. I get though traditional funky notes. More sour than Saison. Not getting tons of barnyard (Brett) character on the nose.

T: This is a nice, easy intro to sours. Nice tart apple/grape open. It sort of incapsulates the tongue in the mild palate with the same sourness. You do taste some of that Brett/farmhouse yeast on the close. It's a fairly dry finish, leaves your mouth watering like most sours do.

M: Light bodied, bordering into medium I guess. Nice mouth coating of sourness.

O: I actually really like this one. Solid sour for a new brewery. I would have to go B+ probably.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 16:08:35 | More by inlimbo77

elNopalero

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was fantastic. Poured a dark golden cidery-straw color. Limited carbonation, just a few bubbles lingering around. Big citrusy aroma, reminiscent of citron or lemon zest. Wonderfully tart flavor that just goes on for days. Pucker up and pour me one more! Another great sour from Jester King.

Serving type: cask

02-13-2012 17:43:04 | More by elNopalero