Blue Sunday Sour - New Holland Brewing Company

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I hate to call a sour generic, because they are all so distinctly different from one another. this one though, takes me someplace ive already been. I like going there and all, but I like when this genre takes me away somewhere new. pours a bright copper new penny color, clear as day, with a few fingers of lazy white foam. the nose is fruity sour, like a mix of dried and fresh pitted fruits, and a whole lot of acid. the yeast flavor in this beer is more sour than funk, more bacterial than saison, and somehow the flavors are all warped into a strange sugary conglomeration. the alcohol feels wine-like, the fruits feel like candy, and the sour is concentrated heavily towards the front of my tongue. its would be dryness is compromised by the residual sugar, but there is a nice oaky prominence to the finish that is really lovely. its good, but lacking some of the complexity and mouthfeel dynamics that makes this style so fun. good carbonation but the sweetness makes it feel heavy just the same. one bottle of this is about all I can stomach, but I appreciate the effort from new Holland like I always do. you can score a better sour for your buck, but if you cant get enough, give this one a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 20:08:31 | More by StonedTrippin

champ103

Texas

3.46/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark ruby brown color. A finger and a half of white foam rises. Then recedes in a minute. Light lace left behind.
S: Vinegary, sour cherries up front. Not much else. Some toasted and caramel malt. That is about it.
T: Follows the nose with a nice tart/sour fruit flavor up front. Best I can tell, cherries. A bit on the vinegary side. Then the malts come in. Toasted, caramel, and sweet. Maybe just a bit of wood coming through as this warms?
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Not nearly as crisp or effervescent as I would like. A bit muddled and even a little thin. Not hard to drink. I will finish the bottle with ease.

A decent, run of the mild wild ale. Maybe a good starter starter wild for those that are not up to the intense funk/cheesy/sour that many can be. Still something I am enjoying.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 00:17:42 | More by champ103

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.86/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This particular sampling was from Barrel #22 and was unfiltered! Served from tap into a Raleigh Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting snifter. Poured a deep red-orange brown with a minimal off-white head. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, sour, tart, wood, and strawberry. The flavor was of sweet malt, sour, tart, earth, fruit, strawberry, butter, and wood. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. I went into this one with some idea on what to expect based on some of the past reviews. However, most of them were from the bottled version which I'm guessing was filtered at least some. With this one basically being straight out of the barrel, I can honestly say that there was quite a bit more wood intensity going on here that mixed really well with all the other aspects I came across. The sour and tart in the name was definitely there and kept your palate on its toes as you would hope for/expect. Definitely glad I got the chance to sample this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2013 16:31:41 | More by thagr81us

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

New Holland's sour wood-aged program continues with Blue Sunday Sour- a fruit heavy sour ale that favors the funky-fresh dry taste over that of candied sweetness. It's a beautiful beer that's both inviting and challenged in its complexities.

With hues of deep ruby red and purplish tones, the beer starts its fruit crusade immediately upon the pour. A violent pop of the cork leads to a highly effervescent character to start. Champagne-like, the beer builds a excitable head that looses its fizz soon after but allows a collar of foam to wrap the edge of the glass and with no real lace to mention.

Sharply acidic, the fruit sourness is front and center with the scent of ripening blueberries, blackberries, black cherries, and sour grapes. Acetic vinegar-like acids, the musty funk of vine-dried fruit, and clean lactic sour notes all swirl about the nose with only a hint of oak, tobacco, and fruit sweetness in support.

Flavors fare similarly as the commingling of fruit juice sweetness and tart berries, apples, limes, salt water taffy and grapes alternate in the beer's early command. But as the beer transitions to middle palate, the sweetness fades and the sourness takes hold- red wine vinegar, dry tart cider, reisling and limes deliver a complex dry taste. Finishing woodish with weathered oak, cellar must, and leather; the beer is dusty dry and with a linger of sour fruit.

Medium-light on the palate- the early malt textures and slim residual sweetness is quickly sliced through by the beer's acidity and clean lactic character. Lightly astringent and powdery in finish, the beer has a long draw in between where the initial taste fades and the finish doesn't present itself and causes the beer to feel thin and watery until the closing bitterness, alcohol warmth, and wood tannin takes hold.

Where the beer exhibits all of what's good about Sour Ales, especially the fruited varieties; it still lacks the depth, complexity, and intensity than authentic Belgian versions can display. Though simplified and somewhat one-dimensional, its a very pleasant and characterful Sour Ale that will satisfy even the most serious fans of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 19:00:47 | More by BEERchitect

Etan

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

22oz bottle into a tulip. 2013 vintage.

A: Pours a deep purplish-red with a decent off-white head.

S: Light lactic acid, lots of tannic oak, pineapple brett. The oak aroma has a bit of an odd (but not entirely unpleasant) egg-cream aspect to it that I've noticed in other New Holland barrel-aged beers. Caramel, light berry tartness, vanilla, coconut.

T: Moderate, lightly acetic tartness comes out first, joined by sweet caramel and vanilla notes from the tannins. Clearly a heavy portion of this is bourbon barrel-aged. A bit of toasted malt and very dry oak on the end.

M: Light-bodied with zesty carbonation.

O: A bit of an odd wild ale due to the barrel influence here, but certainly not unenjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 01:55:48 | More by Etan

barczar

Kentucky

3.94/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a brilliant amber with minimal beige head that dissipates quickly to nearly nothing.

Lactic acid and a vinous, wine-like character dominate the aroma initially, with oak and a hint of acetone surfacing later.

Flavor is fairly tart throughout. There's an underlying caramel sweetness reminiscent of dark berries. Oak is somewhat light.

Body is fairly light and watery, with low carbonation and a moderate alcohol warmth.

I enjoyed this sour, but it lacks a little in backbone.

Serving type: growler

02-18-2013 02:39:03 | More by barczar

match1112

Illinois

3.11/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

2013 vintage 22oz bottle

a: clear garnet body with a half inch of tan head that quickly disappears.

s: very tart. more cherry than blueberries

t: lots of berries on the tongue, kinda like a bad flavored soda. very acidic and tart.

m: seems a little syrupy, good carbonation, mouth puckering dry finish

o: drinkable, makes a decent intro into sours, alochol is hidden well.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 00:50:28 | More by match1112

shamsoftabriz

Kentucky

4.14/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25

Had this on tap at Winos in Bowling Green, KY.

A: A mysterious shade of love potion #9 purple, a bit watery, without much heft or carbonation.

S: Some oak, a bit of sour grapes and alcohol.

T: Big sour apple and some pickle up front that stimulates a nice response from the salivary glands. Oak barrel flavors come to the fore as the beer warms up. A little bit of briny radish and booze. Delicious resinous nutty aftertaste that lingers for a long time.

M: Typical of the style, but nothing to write home about. More boozy than other sours like Monks Cafe Flemish Red or Rodenbach Grand Cru.

O: I really like this and plan to drink it regularly as long as it lasts on tap. If you are a fan of sours, seek this out. It's a complex, unique, and welcome addition to the style. It drinks like a light whiskey once it gets warm. Expensive, but one worthy of sipping and savoring.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2013 17:26:40 | More by shamsoftabriz

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 1/6/2012. Pours slightly cloudy ruby red color with a 1 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of sour cherry, apple, cranberry, pepper, oak, clove, earth, leather, hay, grass, funk, red wine vinegar, and earthy yeast spiciness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/funky notes. Taste of tart cherry, apple, cranberry, clove, pepper, oak, leather, hay, grass, earth, red wine vinegar, and earthy yeast spiciness. Fair amount of earthy fruit tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of tart fruits, clove, oak, pepper, leather, hay, grass, earth, red wine vinegar, funk, and earthy yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance and complexity of flavors; with a nicely moderate acidity balance; and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly slick, acidic, and fairly crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice sour red ale! Very nice flavor complexity and balance of acidity; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 05:14:59 | More by superspak

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.7/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served in a snifter at SmallBar - Fullerton.

Seeing this on-tap, I had to try it. It pours a clear ruby-garnet topped by a finger of cream-tan foam. The nose comprises funky berries, green apple, sour grape, and what may or may not be toffee in the background. The taste follows closely, with each of the sour/tart components competing with each other for dominance, though it's all in vain, as they just end up bleeding each other out, creating a melange of odd tastes on my tongue. It's hard to explain, beyond me just saying it's unpleasant. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a somewhat oily feel. Overall, a sad little sour, one that doesn't know what it wants to be, so it just drops out of society and fails at panhandling.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 16:50:23 | More by TMoney2591

chanokokoro

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2012 vintage 22 oz. bottle poured into a New Holland Brewing High Gravity Series branded cervoise glass

Pours amber with deep burgundy hues topped with a fizzy beige head that quickly dissipates. Balsamic vinegar, tart black cherry, overripe blueberries, and a touch of oak on the nose. Opens with black cherry and tart blueberry, joined midpalate by malty balsamic vinegar notes. Finishes with continued sour but juicy fruit notes. Moderate to lighter end of medium bodied thanks to a significant malt bill. Light but present fizzy, cola-like carbonation. Fairly smooth. Solid beer that has some characterisics of a Flanders Red. At times a bit too sweet for me, however there was more to like than to not like.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 02:59:57 | More by chanokokoro

cfrances33

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2012 bottle served on 7/10/12 poured into a tulip.

Pour: Half finger light tan head and a deep ruby brownish body. No notice of sediment.

Smell: Tart blueberries and cherries.

Taste: Completely follows the nose. Too much blueberry for me. Maybe some brown sugar in there. Meh.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and juicy, but too much so. Almost like a puree.

Overall: Forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 14:54:04 | More by cfrances33

trxxpaxxs

New York

2.65/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

2012 vintage...

A: Pours a translucent red color with about one full finger of off-white head. The foam settles quickly, leaving solid lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is cherries, spoiled fruit, sour funk, and bourbon-esque alcohol. There is more funk and rotten fruit than anything else.

T: Starts out tart and acidic. It's off. Way off. There are tons of spoiled cherry and plum notes. I get hints of old vegetation. It's pretty sour and just plain nasty.

M: Medium bodied beer. It's sweet with the sour coming on strong right after. It's a total mess and I don't think it's infected. I just think that is how it is. There is lingering sour and alcohol in the finish.

O: Not a good beer at all. Skip it at all costs. I don;t want to drink this ever again. It's just plain gross.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 13:14:46 | More by trxxpaxxs

billab914

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2010 vintage poured from a 22oz bottle into my Russian River tulip. It looked brown at first but it gets a real nice mahogany red color as the light hits it. A thin off-white head barely covers the top of the beer.

The aroma is tart and acidic with some sour dark fruits to it as well. It's a little sharp with some vinegar to it, but the sour dark fruits are good.

The taste follows through with more sour dark fruits throughout. It's got a bit of a sour wine like character to it. The oak definitely shows up in the finish as well. It's moderately acidic, but not too bad.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side of the style with carbonation being moderate. Overall, it was a pretty decent beer but not a standout in the style. It just seemed to lack complexity to the sourness to me. Not bad overall though.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 22:08:11 | More by billab914

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2012 Vintage into tulip.

Pours with a short 1cm off-white head over a pretty cherry colored body with light carbonation flowing up.

Aromas are somewhat dull, but grew on me w/time. Red wine vinegar, dark malt, molasses, sweet cherry. Very Flanders Red Ale.

Flavors replicate the aromas, with a rich, dark quality throughout. Rich red wine, vinegar, lots of oak, slight tartness - like a cherry skin.

Mouthfeel is pretty soft - not much carbonation. Lingering smoke-from-the-oak finish/film on the palate.

If you're expecting a traditional American Wild Ale, you may be disappointed... but if you think Flanders Red, you will likely enjoy more. I choose to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 19:17:17 | More by BeerImmediately

MeowTom

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Vintage 2012

A- Dark, dark redish amber in color with a slight off white head that goes down to a rings and slight film over the top.

S- Crisp cherry/apple smell and other fruity smells. A very slight yeast smell included.

T- Sour and tart fruit flavor. There is a wild yeast taste left over.

M- Nice and clean carbonation with a dry finish.

O- Pretty darn good sour ale that has a lot good things going for it. I would love to try a big beer version of this someday.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 23:04:20 | More by MeowTom

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz purple foiled bomber. 2012 vintage.

It pours a deep black cherry red adn struggles to form a head. Eventually I got it to about 1 cm, rising to the rim of the glass. It recedes quickly with a few specks of lacing.

I like the smell on this one. Smells in many ways like a nice flanders red. It has a bit more of bluntness with some sugary sweetness due to the gravity. It has nice vinegar, berries, cherries, funky almost medicinal qualities.The oak is huge here providing a huge but mellow vanilla and wood scent. Medium sourness in the smell.

The flavor is definitely sweet but nice. The oak is again just pounding in this one. Medium to low sourness but it is pleasant. It isn't as light and zippy as it should be but it is nice. The funkiness in the aroma doesn't make it as much into the taste. The vinegar is mild and the fruit flavors are decently mellow.

The mouthfeel feels about right.

It is complex but the sweetness ruins it, they nee to dial down the gravity.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 03:14:41 | More by crossovert

DersOne

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a small wine glass.

A-No head or carbonation, pours a cloudy cherry wood color.

S-Sour cherry, with a fair bit of vinegar.

T-Big sour/tart cherry flavors that blend into sweet malt flavors, clean crisp and dry, low acidity. Not much vinegar flavor, which was a bit refreshing given the smell.

M-Light, clean, low bitterness, minimal tartness.

O-Above average sour, the tartness and cherry flavors are well-balanced with the malt and oak flavors to make for an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 21:37:19 | More by DersOne

mdaschaf

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a slightly cloudy ruby color with a small, bubbly off-white head that has weak retention, quickly reducing to a ring of bubbles on top. Thin lacing forms on the glass.

S: Nice cherry aroma with a good bit of oak. Slightly funky and tart. There is a little bit of barnyard/horse blanket and a little tobacco as well.

T: Again, more cherries with a nice tartness. A little bit of dark fruit as well, some plum mixed in. The oak comes through with a touch of vanilla.

M: Light to medium bodied. Not overly tart, slightly dry finish.

O: Pretty good wild ale. Not overly sour or fruity, but in the middle for both.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 01:02:07 | More by mdaschaf

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 2012. Deep ruby body. Faint soapy suds on the surface.

Beautiful Flemish red nose. Dripping with mellow oak, with some tartness.

Tart, quite so. Pretty funky, and some grape. A bit of oak character as well, it's well developed even for being young. Really quintessential oud bruin and for all the mellowness and richness, the finish is marvelously dry.

Mouthfeel is nice and smooth, supports the taste.

This would be a good one to get another and sit on for a year or so.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 01:00:48 | More by zaphodchak

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice and compact sour with a marked oak touch.

Presentation: 22 oz brown foiled and capped bottle. Simple label in faded purple, with a en embroidery frame and a few barrels highlighting this series. Back offers a small note pointing to intent and characteristics. Shows vintage 2012, and 8.4% Alc. by Vol. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Deep amber/crimson pour, soft creamy head, medium retention, fair surface memory and some touches of lacing.

S - Sour nose, malty notes, oak…

T - Tart range, very compact and rounded, fruity notes, cherries, plum, remote apple, dash of wooded malt.. gives way to a noticeable sense of oak, sour vanilla...

M - Medium body with medium/full carbonation, rather spritzy at first with a shy dry touch under the sour finish.

O - Very well rounded. Quite a nice sour…

Notes: Quality offering, given the hype in some circles for sours I sure think this one deserves more traction. Maybe a touch too hefty in the Alc. but the way it is finished it actually works rather well. Nice one to try in any case, and I sure look forward to next years release.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 03:10:07 | More by Daniellobo

elNopalero

Texas

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This pours with a ruby caramel color. Great coloration. It looks wonderful in the glass.

The aroma comes in layers: some cherries, some sour berries. It’s flavor is tonguecurlingly sour at first sip, but opens up to a mélange of dark cherries, currants and a peculiar malt sweetness of some sorts that becomes more prominent as it warms. The beer itself is light bodied and the flavor finishes thin, with the tartness hanging around. It could use more time on oak, or more of an oak profile, as I enjoyed that aspect immensely, but the beer as a whole didn’t come together for my liking.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2012 19:57:58 | More by elNopalero

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The vintage 2012 was poured into a tulip glass. In appearance it resembled the color of blended dark fruit juices and gave only a slight amount of head. A sour aroma was noted that is typical of the style. The initial taste was a shot of sour blackberry, as if a berry was eaten prematurely from the bush. The taste was very tart but gave hints of milder fruits. As the beer connects with the sides of the mouth, the slight oak flavor is noted in a modest degree. The tart flavor continues into the aftertaste, losing little intensity. A mild level of carbonation helps to cleanse the mouth after each swallow. A modest level of sweetnees is all that kept this from being a exceptional beer. Though very good, the taste is rather one-sided.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 14:42:53 | More by JohnnyHopps

AleWatcher

Illinois

2.25/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

After being fooled into buying 4 bottles of 'Envious,' I decided I just wasn't going to buy any Blue Sunday... Well surlytheduff must have read my mind and decidedto toss one in as an extra in our most recent trade.
Thanks!

Served in a tulip and shared with my wife and brother in law.

Dark, prune-colored purple brown body with a small fuzzy head. Weak retention, no lacing.
Smells of oak, some dark fruits, and a bunch of malt.
The flavor adds a chalky tartness on the finish. Not really sour at all, and not really very good in my opinion... Too malty and too sweet-- i prefer dry sours, but the sweetness is too much because it cuts into the sourness too much and makes the finish remind me of sweet-tarts.

Feels medium-full with low carbonation.

Overall-- this just doesn't work for me. I was hoping for more... I like the brewery, but I have now decided to avoid their fruit beers and sours from now on.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 21:09:09 | More by AleWatcher

bbeane

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Poured into a chalice... Starts with a light head that disappears quickly leaving behind some lacing. Beer is ruby in color

S- Nice funky tart aroma with a hint of cinnamon

T- Was hoping for better based on the aroma... Not bad, but the nice tart pluckiness that hits your mouth first is eventually joined by a malty cherry sweetness

M- Light carbonation with a light/medium body

O- Not a bad beer by any means, but the malty sweetness was a little more present than I prefer for the style

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 14:56:24 | More by bbeane