Friek - Odell Brewing Company

SHODriver

California

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: pours a deep red that is almost brown with burgundy highlights with a small white head that fades quickly into a duel tulip
S: smells fruity, funky and sour with raspberries being prominent in the aroma
T: tart raspberry up front mingles with some sour cherry and a slight funk with hints of oak. nice sourness throughout the drink with the swallow bringing a nice blast of funky vanilla and oak.
M: lighter side of medium with soft carbonation from bottle condition that is perfect for the style
O: A very well crafted and tasty beer. fantastic complexity and oh so good. the sourness is there without being overbearing and the fruit flavors are nice without being overpowering

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 03:00:11 | More by SHODriver

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.26/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle to Ommegang flute wine glass

A: ruby red in color it has lots of bubbles but very little white head with no lacing. It is completely translucent and looks extremely clean could almost past as soda or juice.

S: The nose definitely has a nice light funk to it. There are fruity notes but they are not necessarily desirable as cherry or raspberry. Also there is a noticeable scent from the oak barrels that is more powerful then the fruity sweetness. overall fairly good balance

T: Its got a sour flavor upfront that is strong but not overpowering and it lasts. Though once the initial sour flavor fades and there is as a bunch of fruity juicy flavors the cherries definitely has a stronger flavor but the raspberries are there in the finish to add a little more sweetness. There are also wine flavors in there with other dry flavors like grape must. The sour flavor does come through again in the finish to cap things off.

M: It is nice, light, and very juicy making it so it goes down easily and cleanly, which is pretty impressive. The carbonation is right on point as well it is delicate on the tongue and brings out the fruity notes as well as the wood from the barrels.

O: This is a solid sour it is really fruity and juicy while maintaining a nice sour flavor though I wish it was more powerful or tart. This was the first I've tried from odell's and I'm impressed/will be back.I wish I was able to get two bottles so I could taste it in a few years but nonetheless I definitely recommend this beer

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:31:55 | More by Pinknuggets

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5

Props to my in-laws for grabbing a bottle of this on a recent trip to the US, super pumped to take it for a spin.

A - Pours a light ruby red, finger of head which quickly dissipates and leaves no real lacing.

S - Nose is dominated by tart raspberries, wild yeast funk, grassy notes, toasted crackers and a white wine vineous scent.

T - Much like the nose, with the vineous white wine dominating alongside sour grapes, sour apple and sweet tart candies. The cherry and raspberry notes come through and linger on the finish.

M - Lighter bodied, with heavy body carbonation, and a touch of dryness on the finish.

O - Overall this is a stand-out sample of the style that I really enjoyed. Loads of flavour and a nice balance between sweet and sour, with the fruit notes coming through on the finish making for a memorable brew. Highly recommended and really glad I had the opportunity to try it.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 23:21:55 | More by andrenaline

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.31/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Tart cherries, berries, oranges, and apples garner a complete "sour patch" taste with light fruit sweetness and dry malts for a sour ale that is all about the fruit.

Pouring the color of blood orange pulp, but with riper red grapefruit highlights, the beer appears to be as much of a fruit juice as it does a beer. But its loosely knit head becomes disjointed and falls back into the beer when the champagne-like carbonation dissipates. This happens nearly half way through the glass, leaving the beer with its fruit juice appearance.

Juicy, ripe and tart fruits abound in the nose, bringing out the scent of fresh-crushed cherries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, oranges, and white grape. Tartness of wine must smolders just beneath the fruit and take the form of cidery vinegar with alternating whiffs. A thin malt aroma is lightly spice and subtly robust and reminds the senses of graham crackers.

And in taste, the beer behaves as predicted. The tongue piercing flavor of sour fruit is lead by cherries but also offers up a complementary white grape, apple, orange, and berry medley. Its dry taste allows for the exposure of white wine vinegar and musty vine-dried fruit. Light oak draws in the malt influences of dry graham crackers that, with its terse display, supports the sourness and fruit acidity quite well.

On the early palate, the zesty beer springs off of the tongue with its prickly champagne bubbly effect. But as the carbonation subsides so does much of the beer's vibrancy. Soon after, the beer's acidity lays on the middle palate and saturates with sourness and warmth. Finishing clean, lightly powdery, and mildly astringent- the beer closes with a refreshing and palate cleansing effects.

Friek is a fruit-forward sour ale that supresses the more earthy or "funky" aromas and taste in order to allow the dry and tart fruit to become the showcase. I rather like the beer as its balance begins to tilt to the world of fruit beers as much as it does wild ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 17:55:11 | More by BEERchitect

allouez86

Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

2012 bottle poured into my New Belgium globe.

Pours a nice ruby red with a nice pinkish white head. The bubbles are still rising at a fast pace in y glass, even after a good five minutes.

Smell is definitely cherry upfront with the raspberry coming in next. You can definitely get the sour funk in the nose.

The taste is definitely interesting. I immediately get the cherry but it quickly disappears as the raspberry comes in. It finishes with a nice hint of oak. Has a nice tart bight but it is leaving something to be desired. None of the flavors are predominant enough leaving it, dare I say, slightly watery.

Has a lighter mouthfeel with a decent bight from the high carbonation level.

Overall, meh. I was really looking forward to this one but was left slightly disappointed. I feel like this is a beer that is almost really good, but none of the flavors really want to stand out. At the price it's hard to say if I'll get another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 23:54:01 | More by allouez86

dhbiker0889

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 Batch

A- Dark purple kind of see through, almost like dark grape juice. Has a decent sized head that disappears rather quickly. The cork rocketed straight out of the bottle when opened. Nice and bubbly appearance.

S- Strong, sharp smell of raspberries and cherries at the beginning, followed by a slightly smell vinegar and acidity. Finishes up with a slightly funky smell. Definitely sweet on the nose.

T- Very sweet upfront. Slightly tart and a little sour. A very heavy dose of raspberries takes over immediately followed by a cherry taste. Leaves a slightly funky and bitter aftertaste. Enjoyable though.

M- Carbonated right when pours but settles down quickly. Not very heavy and definitely drinkable.

O- Good beer. Wish it was a little less sweet and a little more sour. Worth trying even at the higher price tag.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:34:20 | More by dhbiker0889

ehammond1

California

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle (2011)

Thanks for opening this with me, VaTechHopHead!

(Aged for 1+ year)

Hazy cherry and dark ruby color with a thin off-white head. Good amount of visible carbonation rushing up through the body of the beer. Leaves dotted stick down the glass.

Definite raspberry and cherry aroma, with distinct cheese and leather. As it warms, the unwelcome cheese elements become more and more present.

The flavor doesn't suffer nearly as much as the aroma, as there's lots of cherry and raspberry flavor, oak, some dirty funk, and just a bit of the cheese character.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Decent, but I came away disappointed due to the strange cheese aroma.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:27:10 | More by ehammond1

spoony

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From a 750 ml bottle into a tulip.

A-The head is short-lived, patchy reddish, white foam. The brew is clear and cranberry colored with a few streams of big, bubbly carbonation.

S-The smell was dominated by a really funky, almost cheesy flavor. There was also some oak and a bit of tart fruit (raspberry and cherry), but funk was the most noticeable.

T-Taste is not nearly as funky or cheesy as the smell. Instead, I picked up a dry, tart hit of cherry and raspberry with a little bit of oak. Pretty much as advertised. The brew was not nearly as sweet as some fruit-forward sours.

M-Lighter body with a much cleaner and crisper feel than a lot of sours/wilds.

O-This 2012 batch was my first Friek, and although the cheesy, funky smell initially turned me off, the pleasant taste or tart red fruit and mild oak grew on me. I also liked the dry, crisp mouthfeel and finish. Still, the cheesy nose never completely disappeared and this brew lacked the complexity of a true lambic, both factors that drop this beer a couple spots in my scoring.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 16:39:41 | More by spoony

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opened on 11.24.12
Thanks Webs!

A - Pours a cloudy orange-red with a small light tan head that is gone almost instantly.

S - Cherry and sweeter, a little tart.

T - Tart cherry, but a nice low sweetness.

D - Low carbonation with a medium body and a very dry finish.

O - Dry and fruity without being overly sweet. I would like to try this one again.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 07:24:55 | More by HuskyinPDX

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml, 2011(?)
Hill Farmstead glass

A: Pours a hazy blush pink color. Hints of orange. Nice carbonation. Lots of bubbles. Thin line of white head. Carbonation stuck around the whole time. Pretty beer.

S: Nice tart acidic nose here. Even after a year you still get some of that fruit sweetness from the cherries and raspberries. Maybe some soft oak and mild vanilla notes.

T: Nice sharp tartness at the front of the tongue. It mellows with time. Nice acidic tartness. Still getting that tart cherry and some raspberry character. Definitely some wood in the middle to soften it. Dry finish. Mouth watering.

M: Light to medium bodied with good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 20:32:11 | More by inlimbo77

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml cork n cage bottle into a Lost Abbey chalice.

A- Pours a dark copper with a pinkish hue, has a 2 finger light pink head that recedes very quickly. Minimal lacing on the glass.

S- Nice sour and funk is noticed immediately, followed by berries, some vinegar also.

T- Sour, tart and vinous dark fruits (cherries and raspberries as noted on bottle), vinegar and funky/earthy taste at the finish.

M- Medium body and high carbonation. Very acidic and hard to drink at first, but seems to subdue as it warms.

O- 7/10 sourness. Really enjoyed this sour. Has very nice tart/sour flavors complemented with some fruit flavors from the raspberries and cherries.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 00:05:12 | More by kawilliams81

bum732

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

S: Lambic-like qualities, medium strong oak, slight funk, berries, rasberry mostly.

L: Crystal clear reddish-pink. No head, some bubbles.

T: Light funky rasberry and other berries with an oak backbone. Low bitterness, no hop flavor. Flavors are fairly muted overall. Finishes slightly tart with a touch of oak.

M: Medium bodied, medium carbonation.

Pretty average, flavors work for the style, i suppose.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:44:28 | More by bum732

ThePaleRider

California

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Very hazy. Nice light pink color that poured with no head. Decent legs on the sides of the glass.

S - Sour cherries and apricots. Throw in some craisins and you're getting pretty close to the aroma.

T - Really great sour ale. Lots of flavors from fruit rinds like grapes, oranges, and pears. Really surprised by a little citrus. Nice dry finish keeps you coming back.

M - Light and refreshing. Medium body with no visible carbonation.

O - Amazing sour ale that sets a nice standard for depth of flavors and drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 19:14:47 | More by ThePaleRider

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 750ml corked and caged into Globe glass.

A. Poured a 2 finger head of big popping bubbles that disapeared in under 15 seconds. Color is a light ruby red. No lacing.

S. Tart fruit, cherries, raspberries. Get some oak that comes out behind the fruit smell. Overall pretty sour smelling, but not overwhelming.

T. Good tart fruit flavor up front, cherries and raspberries. Sourness is there, but at the level of my liking. Drinks pretty dry, and goes down easy enough. Not overly complex in flavor. Get a little bit of barrel aging flavor in a bit of oak and some woodiness.

M. Medium/light bodied. Medium carbonation. Finishes clean and dry.

O. Pretty straightforward. The beer turned out like I was expecting it too. Tastes and drinks like a fruit lambic. Nothing that is going to blow you away, but a solid well done sour. Wish I had two to see if age changes the Friek.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 22:49:27 | More by siradmiralnelson

birchstick

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a ruby red color with a head that disappears with fizzy noise. Nose is sweet cherries and some raspberry mixed in with some subtle citrus lambic notes. Taste starts with lemon sour notes that is quickly replaced by some soft raspberries and cherries. What's enjoyable about this is that the raspberry cuts into the cherry and prevents this beer from being overly sweet, like some krieks fall prone to being. Mouth is a little watery, but decent. Overall, this is enjoyable Kriek - I like the raspberry addition to the beer. This is the best sour I have has from Odell.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 00:09:16 | More by birchstick

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A 750ml bottle picked up in CO. No bottled on date, but got it in August 2011, so its been at least a year

A - A dark, cloudy cherry color. Slight head, no lace. Looks great though. Love the thick cloudy red color

S - Cherries, raspberries, and OAK! Love it.

T - Sweet and sour. The cherries and raspberries are excellent. Slight oaky taste, but not overwhelming. Well done!

M - Full bodied. Well carbonated.

O - Love it. Cherries, raspberries, sour, oak aged? Sign me up!!! Again and again.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 01:05:44 | More by BeerDawgs

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #60 (Jan 2012):

LOOK: Fizzy head, clear orange amber

SMELL: Eucalyptus, tart berries, Band-Aid, toasty oak, bread crust, musty yeast, mint

TASTE: Crisp, slick, raw, tart, medicinal, oak, alcohol, cherry, musty yeast, raspberry, funk, dry

Odell's latest stab at the sour beer arena. Comes at the palate perhaps too green and finishes a bit too quick, but it did nab a gold at the 2011 GABF in the Wood & Barrel Aged Sour Beer category. Might be interesting to see where a few years of cellaring could take this brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 18:56:40 | More by BeerAdvocate

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a ruddy burgundy like color with great carbonatoon, bubbles and a nice dirty cap and nice lacing

S: Barnyard funk, some old wood and a blend of soft, fresh raspberries with red cherries

T: Immediate vinegar tartness with a light booze tingle with wood, cherry notes and a blend of fresh and stale raspberries. The finish is dry, highly carbonated woody and dunky

M: Medium bodied, highly carbonated, loads of vinegarness, funk and tartness reside on the palate. Dry with a hint of sweetness.

O: I really like this one a lot. I am new to the wild ales and I am definitely finding I am a big fan of the style. This beer has some sexiness and class to it.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 21:42:39 | More by barleywinefiend

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.34/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

750 format cage and cork bottle open with a small pop. No vintage date on bottle that i could find.

Poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance: clear and brilliant cherry red bodied beer with a solid finger of white lively and fizzy head. White head dropped down to a thin ring around outside of the glass. It honestly looks like cherry 7UP in a beer glass!

Smell: Faint cherry and raspberry. A slight bit of funk. Really fruity with a hint of vinegar sourness.

Taste: moderate sour with a nice balance of red fruits mainly cherry and raspberry. A touch of sweetness from the fruits. The middle of the beer the barrel really takes the centerstage with big wood notes and a touch of earthiness almost brett like fink too. The beer finishes with a mild amount of tartness and more fruit... mainly a hint of berries.

Mouthfeel: light bodied beer with carbonation that is at a moderate level. The beer has a really lite and crisp snap to it from the aggressive carbonation in this beer. Its a a bit stronger than semi-dry. Its also a very refreshing beer. Carbonation is done very well! Very near perfection.

Overall: Friek is a really solid sour; probably one of the better shelf sours. I would put this on the same level as most Russian River sours. This beer doesnt see the credit or hype that is due to this fruited wild ale. I would definately more Friek give the oppurtunity. Thanks to TATURBO for bringing this home for me the recent trip to the western part of the USA!

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 04:32:04 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a beautiful clear cherry red with very little foam, just a ring of bright white tiny bubbles.
S - Sour cherries dominate the aroma along with hints of the oak and vanilla
T - sour cherries and raspberries lead the way with some oak and vanilla, there is a nice mild lactic sourness.
M/D - thin bodied, nicely carbonated, its not too overly sour to be undrinkable and i'll have no problem polishing off the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 03:06:12 | More by mikereaser

Sean9689

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by me with a bunch of slags.

A - Pours a bright red-color, fizzy white head, thin collar.

S - Sour cherries, cherry skin, lactic notes, oak, light vanilla. Pretty straight forward kriek/cherry notes and the oak and vanilla create a nice complexity.

T - More sour cherries, oak, nice lactic sourness, light funk, and more vanilla yogurt notes. Pretty good cherry flavor and just about the right amount of tartness to complement the sweetness. The finish is sweet fruity and oak.

M - Light body, good carbonation, dry tannic finish.

O - A nice kriek and I would definitely drink another bottle (if I had one). Not sure about the price, but I would stock my fridge with this one, as my wife would love it (but didn't get to try it this time around). Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 17:54:16 | More by Sean9689

Treebs

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750 ml C&C bottle served in a Portsmouth Tulip. Not sure who shared this guy, but thanks!

A: Pours a dark cherry color, very much like a Kriek. A thin whitish head forms on the pour and leaves some splotchy lace behind.

S: Tart cherry flesh, grape skins, light funky cheese and some cherry pit.

T: The body has a sweet malty base which is odd. There is some light Greek yogurt, tart cherries and some cheesy funk.

M: Medium bodied with a low end carbonation. It's alright.

O: This was alright, but the taste was just slightly odd compared to the nose and the low carbonation hurt it.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 11:56:48 | More by Treebs

eatabagofbooger

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From memory, so this is a bit less detailed than usual.

A: cloudy pink with an off-white head. Nothing special, but not bad

S: Oak, funk, tart raspberries.

T: Same as the nose. As the beer warms, the brett really takes over in a nice way. The fruit is mild, and far more on the tart side than the sweet side. The flavours all play very nicely together. Very nice.

M: A bit thin, but more than adequate.

O: Pretty darn fine brew for a nice, sunny, warm day on the balcony with the bbq going.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 06:52:34 | More by eatabagofbooger

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Cavery for sharing this one at the post Bruery Reserve Society party bottle share!

Pours a slightly hazy light red with no head and no lace. Smell is of sour cherries and some funky aromas. Taste is of funky and sour cherry flavors with an acidic quality. This beer has a high level of carbonation with an extremely crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good sour with a nice cherry presence.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 01:05:35 | More by UCLABrewN84

tobelerone

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice and tasty wild with a lot of complexity.

Vivid red body, off-white, slightly pinkish hue to the head, which sinks slowly. Lots of lacing up and down the glass.

Fascinating aroma, tart cherries and a touch of raspberry but prominent barn notes, hay, must, funk, oak. Really a good one to stick your nose into and examine.

Tart and sour cherries and berries in the flavor; not sweet or overly fruity; strikes a good balance between sour and fresh ripe fruit aspects as well as integrating the woody oak note very well. Funky and barnyard notes emerge as it warms, horseblanket/hay/mustiness all there but not as strong as in the aroma. Sourness will likely not be quite enough looking for a truly puckering experience.

Fizzy, near seltzer-like carbonation on a medium light body actually aids drinkability. Overall it's very crisp and dry, refreshing and nicely watching with spicy foods. A bit pricey, could maybe use just a wee bit more sour bite to clean things up. Very enjoyable, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 16:34:16 | More by tobelerone