Cuvee Ange - 4 Hands Brewing Co.

stakem

Pennsylvania

2.71/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75

Thanks to Stormking47 for the share. Bomber into a pils glass, the brew appears a clear copper with a tan cap. Some sudsy spots of lace stick to the glass and a swirl revies some large bubbles from solution back to the surface.

The aroma includes faint notes of fruits that are vaguely reminescent of blueberry and raspberry. A mild suggestion of caramel grain is also present. While the description of this brew sounds awesome, the aromatics are pretty dull and linear.

The flavor has an unexpected aspect that is somewhat perfume-like. It is a little abrasive with a fake sort of raspberry mixed with an unidentifiable sort of obscure fruity to fusel character. A minor hint of cheese is contrasted by herbal to medicinal bitterness that is somewhat grassy.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. While this sounded pretty awesome via the label description, it turned out to be a flop. A very disjointed strange brew that I would probably not buy but I would give it a try again just to see if the bottle we had was an exception to what this brew was suppose to be.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 15:50:15 | More by stakem

zeff80

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at 44 Stone in Columbia, MO.

A - Poured out a hazy, orange color with ruby highlights. It had a one-finger, off-white head of bubbly foam that left thin rings of lace.

S - It smelled of sour fruits with some caramel malt.

T - Good tart, sour berry flavor. The was a tannin taste, too. Which I suppose is the wine barrel aging.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a slight pucker-factor.

O - This is an nice wild ale. I wonder if the bottle version could be aged to mellow out the tannins.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2012 02:10:10 | More by zeff80

TotallyHosed

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This brew has a gorgeous color - an opaque red-orange. The head is bright white and leaves very little lacing. I can barely see the columns of bubbles rising. The head dissipates quickly and leaves behind blotches.

The nose is awesome. It's dominated by blackberries, followed by tart raspberries and some funk. The smell is very candy-like and reminds me of sweet-tarts.

When the brew is cold, the taste begins with a dose of tart raspberries, followed by funky wild yeast then concludes with a lot of wood character. The barrel aging is a little off-putting, because it is too vinous or perhaps too much oak character. However, when it warms up the barrel character subsides significantly. I also get less funk and more of the base beer. Perhaps my mouth is getting used to these strong flavors?

The feel is average for the style. It's medium, but not much carbonation is felt. Seems like this is not bottle conditioned, but could be wrong.

Overall, I did enjoy this brew. I like the idea of blending different wine barrels which adds a lot of character. The nose on this ale is the best quality. I thought it was very inviting. However, the taste does not provide the same excitement.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 22:01:40 | More by TotallyHosed

rodkin

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A light reddish-purplish color, decently foamy head that reduces quickly. Visible carbonation.

Smell kind of reminds me of st lamvinus, though a bit less funky. Got lactic tartness upfront, followed by the berries and a bit of barrel, with some sweet grape in the finish. There's definitely some funk in there, too.

This is interesting... not really like any sour I've had before. Definitely getting wood, a bit of bitterness, a bit less fruit than I got in the nose. The berries do come through though. Vinous, not as tart as I was hoping. The fruit, though not very big upfront, lingers quite a bit. Refreshing and smooth. The more I drink, the more I like. I'd say this is the best I've had from 4 Hands so far.

Mouthfeel is really nice. Light and spritzy, slightly creamy.

I'm not really sure what to make of this one. I haven't really had anything like it, so I don't know what to compare it to. But it's tasty, refreshing, and the low alcohol makes it very sessionable. I'd say this is a winner.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 04:41:03 | More by rodkin

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour was a brigt copper, light head, light lacing, fairly crisp.

Very dominant raspberry and blackberry, lighter funk and spice. Hints of malt.

Very combination of raspberry and blackberry. Lighter hints of dry red wine and grape. A bit of malt and spice beneath. Layered very well.

Light and easy, dry finish. A bit sticky.

For a first BA release, homerun. This is a farmhouse ale, half barred aged with raspberries and half with blackberries, then combined.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2012 18:07:49 | More by hooliganlife

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.34/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass from a 22oz bottle.

Pours a hazy and murky dark copper color with some nice orange hues to it. Very little light can come through. There is a slight white head that forms of about half and inch.

Aroma of berries. Nice tart notes with some slight vinegar but still not too overwhelming. The tartness is very nice and fruity and mixes well with some nice slight funk and a bit of a vinous character.

Flavor is pretty delicious. I should let it sit for a bit before I continue. After warming for a bit. Flavor of berries with some nice tartness and some slight fruity sugary sweetness. There is some nice funk and woody notes that mix in with some vinous notes a well. The tartness is not too overwhelming and compliments the fruity sweetness very well. Mouthfeel is nice and light-medium with some dry notes and a slightly vinous finish.

Definitely my favorite 4 Hands brew. Great sour with some nice berry notes and sweetness mixed in with great wild ale tartness.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 23:17:18 | More by JoEBoBpr