Simon Girty - Draai Laag Brewing Company / Saints & Turncoats Public House

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Tap

Pours an opaque woody brown with bits of lacing for a head.

Smells of caramel, apples and mild bourbon.

Tastes of bourbon, oak, caramel apples, and a bit of vanilla.

Full mouth with mild carbonation.

Tasty and different, really like this and am looking forward to getting to know Draai Laag more moving forward. I would definitely have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2013 02:52:20 | More by Cylinsier

kbuzz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-26-2013 20:11:08 | More by kbuzz

randylangford

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%

02-11-2013 04:07:07 | More by randylangford

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This one is better after it warms. Woody tones are evident. There is a somewhat funky tone on the back end; which I never mind. Mild woody fruit. Smooth feel. Consistent, as usual, for Draai Laag. A pleasurable drink, and another nice one from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2013 03:44:23 | More by RblWthACoz

JustinM

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

01-21-2013 18:06:09 | More by JustinM

tmars13

2/5  rDev -47.6%

01-14-2013 03:26:03 | More by tmars13

reitzbrewing

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

01-10-2013 02:01:37 | More by reitzbrewing

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +4.7%

10-01-2012 23:29:41 | More by Molson2000

SaintD

4.68/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: Dark fruit, plum, bubblegum, mild bananas and dates. Moderate phenolics, esters, spices, clove, pepper and cocoa.

Appearance: Deep red-brown color with a slight cloudiness. Pours an off-white/tan head.

Taste: Tons of flavor, encompassing an estery belgian aspect much like the normal dark fruit of dates and plum, but a citrusy orange.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body and you would never expect...like a black lager. Creamy, choclate texture. The finish is dry and tannic, probably from the cocoa and the alcohol.

Overall: Very Belgian, but with a twist of difference that you don't see with other beers. This brewery is producing some very interesting beers. I'm glad they are local.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2012 03:11:53 | More by SaintD

clickyourfingers

5/5  rDev +30.9%

08-06-2012 22:57:36 | More by clickyourfingers

drinknewbelgium

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I hate to be critical of local brews, but after I tried this beer something needs to be said. I think this is the first beer that I have ordered in a bar and could not finish it. I will be objective and professional in my review.
First, the best thing this beer has is it's looks. Tight, lacing head that is neither to much nor too little for this style. Smell is of slight chocolate, alcohol, sweet cedar and some fruit. This is where it gets ugly-the most important factors of a good beer is where this beer totally misses the boat.
The taste, agree with person below that this beer is extremely unpleasant to put down. There is a significant imbalance between the alcohol and the dry, toasty fruit hits that attempt to mask the brutal sting of the alcohol. If I did not look at the bottle, I would guess this beer comes in at 16%. I was shocked to find out that this beer is only 8%! It goes down like 151!
Mouthfeel was slightly better as some of the smells manifested into some of the flavor. It was a medium to heavy bodied beer which is prime for this style, however, the imbalances are too overwhelming.
Overall, this beer was a poor representation of a strong Belgian dark. I will give the hometown benefit of the doubt, but I can not tell a lie and would be lying if I said this beer was worth your time or dollar with so many better examples of this style available.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 15:56:02 | More by drinknewbelgium

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 ounce SN style stubby here. 8% abv, with honey, cocoa, and orange peel. Pours dark mahogany ruby tinted brown with a big khaki tan head forming thick. Fine even lacing, surrounds my chalice. Aroma has big phenolic fruitiness, with hints of cocoa, honey, and orange peel citrus notes. Deep vinous layers of fruity with herbal earthiness, I'm getting raisins and tart apples. Flavor big alcohol assertive up front with dark fruit, more vinous grapes/raisin sweetness with dry cocoa bitterness weighing heavy with dark roasts on the palate. Also honey hits with sweetness and the citrus peel bitterness almost overwhelms the palate. As I add the rest of the yeast sediment the dry chalkiness subdues some of the harsh flavors and it melds a little better than my first few initial sips. Most of honey ferments out in this one very few residual sugars are left behind, a bit cloying still with the cocoa and bitter orange peel clashing together. Carbonation is mellow body is medium to full, and it just doesn't go down with ease. Complex yes, adventurous yes, a beer I want to try again, not sure. I did love their Belgian style golden ale, very creative thus far, keeps me open to try more of their beers maybe just not a huge fan of this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 18:07:59 | More by WVbeergeek

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into one of my Bruery Tulips.

A: Pours a deep deep dark murky brown, with a big creamy off-white head, over a fingers worth. Leaving nice lacing along my glass as I work my way through, as well.

S: Candied sugars, malt sweetness, and orange peel.

T: A surprising amount of cocoa accompanies the candied sugars. Orange Peel on the back end. A hint of "fig", but not much in the way of "dark fruits" here for such a Belgian Dark.

In my mind, the most distinguishing flavor is the orange peel. It's certainly pronounced, but initial impressions are not that of it being "unbalanced". Certainly unique, though. Based on the two brews Draai Laag has put out so far, they don't seem to be concerned with coloring within the lines when it comes to "style guidelines".

M: Lively, with great carbonation. A lot of *heft* behind those bubbles, though. Great viscosity underneath, with lots of dry sticky malt sugars left behind on the finish.

D/O: Enjoyable from start to finish. Definitely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 00:59:07 | More by psuKinger

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a deep amber color with an off white head. In the aroma, orange citrus all day. In the taste, dry orange citrus with notes of cocoa. A spice like bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry note of cocoa in the aftertaste. A bit too sweet for me, especially with the mix of orange and cocoa all the way through.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 19:24:55 | More by OWSLEY069

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -21.5%

05-15-2012 23:46:50 | More by ejimhof

HumphreyLee

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

05-06-2012 06:19:37 | More by HumphreyLee

AWS2111

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -21.5%

05-04-2012 22:50:17 | More by AWS2111

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

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

Aroma: Lots of dark fruit, plums and dates. Moderate phenols, spicy clove and black pepper. Mild alcohol. A bit nutty, but no roastiness or chocolate.

Appearance: Deep copper color. A bright light shows a mostly clear brew, just a touch of cloudiness. Pours a moderate off-white head with orange highlights. Moderate retention. Mild lacing (when still quite cold anyways). Lots of yeast at the bottom of the bottle.

Taste: Lots there. moderate esters which is mostly dates with some plum. Spicyness from the alcohol, some black pepper. Moderate clove and honey as the aftertaste kicks in. Some mild pine hop bitterness. As it warms up, it brings about a cough-syrup-like taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Moderate carbonation. Creamy, buttery texture. The finish is mildly dry from the alcohol and hops.

Overall: Another quality Belgian brew from Draai Laag. Nice balance of sweet, bitter, and spicyness. But not over the top on any aspect. Goes down smooth and easy.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 23:26:33 | More by soulfly1492

brentk56

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a cola color with ruby highlights; the head faded quickly leaving just a few dots of lace

Smell: Caramel, honey and cocoa powder, with undertones of dark fruit

Taste: Cocoa forward, with the caramel and honey flavors rounding out the front end; dark fruit adds complexity, by mid-palate, with the citrus peel and yeasty phenols adding an herbacious bitterness after the swallow; the up-front, sweeter flavors predominate in the finish, with some vanilla lingering in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Another style bender from this new brewery; they are brewing with one powerful yeast strain

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 02:13:20 | More by brentk56

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draai Laag : Simon Gurty

Brewed in Millvale PA, where no brewery has existed in nearly a century.

Ontap. Pours a murky brown color with a short livid wispy head. Aroma of sugary malts, spice, and an expressive Belgian yeast strain. In the flavor, a unique mix of dark fruits, dry orange peel, cinnamon, cocoa, brown sugar and alittle peppery spice. There is a small amount of alcohol noted but it is well within tasteful boundaries. Hop bitterness is mild to low. Medium to full bodied, thick, and pretty well rounded. Overall, this brew is a strong statement and product from a new local Pittsburgh area brewery. Can be found ontap at various bars in the area, and also is now available in 12oz bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 16:41:28 | More by Stinkypuss

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Not sure when it was bottled and even that their was a brewery in Millvale just 12 miles from my house. Paid $3.50 for the 12oz bottle.

A - Pours a clear dark amber brown with a half inch of tan colored head. Lacing is excellent.

S - First whiff I get the cocoa powder, strong and sweet. Repeated smells I get the orange and Belgium yeasts that smell sweet.

T - I really like the balance of cocoa in this it's not overly dry or sweet it nicely compliments the yeast giving it a fruity aspect which I assume is the orange. Finish is honey sweet so as advertised!

M - Medium bodied and drinks more like a Belgium Pale than a Belgium strong ale.

Overall I really like balanced Belgium's that are not overly dry, sweet flavored, and balance the hops the alcohol well enough to not be very filling. Wonder if I can hit up the brewery and pick up a six pack...

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 06:30:48 | More by DrDemento456

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brewed with honey, cocoa, and orange peel. 12oz bottle poured into the Westy glass.

Okay cream-colored head atop a murky dark red-brown with burgundy highlights. The head receded to a quaint ring. Looks thick and appetizing.

Nose full of booze, raisin, fig, orange, candi sugar, and vanilla bean. Very complex and full-on. Pretty remarkable, so far.

Nice cocoa dustiness acts as a backdrop to a full-flavored and full-strength Belgian Strong Dark. The orange peel, honey, and esters of prunes and dates are pretty easy to pick up on. Loads of introductory flavors that start strong, but don't finish. The ass-end is all heat and yeasty lingerings. I like the addition of the honey and the subtle role it plays.

Nice wet/slick feel with a mild but prickly carbonation that lingers a bit. Lusciously smooth. Too hot fresh, for sure, especially for 8%. Cuts down on the drinkability. This one's a surefire sipper.

This one's a hit! I can't believe these local boys produced such a fascinating and delicious example of the style. No easy task. Recommended, if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 02:05:21 | More by thecheapies

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter: Deep, raisiny brown under a finger of soft, light tan head with loads of little nucleation bubbles rising. Head sinks to a thin, uneven dusting with a thick collar. A few deep crimson highlights.

Nice nose of light molasses, dark stewed fruits, honey, overripe banana, & a moderate baking spice like anise. Not overdone, & a lot to pick out here.

IN the taste, there's a sweetness like root beer barrel, some more dark fruit & that spicy anise character, a little brown sugar, mildly doughy. When I swish it around, I notice a very dry, rum-like boozy character that's not there if I just swallow. It's kind of unpleasant when I do that, so I just don't do it & it's alright. I'll split the difference.

Medium-full-bodied, with a sweet, slightly sticky note that turns dry & a little warming toward the end.

Really reminds me of a lot of Belgian Christmas beers - has that BSDA character with an added bit of spice & sweetness. A little problematic at points, but still a solid one & a good companion to Aureus, with a lot of shared characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 01:57:18 | More by OneDropSoup