Allagash Coolship Red - Allagash Brewing Company

BearsOnAcid

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Looks like cherry 7up. Really clear and sparkly red appearance. Small white head that dissipates. Very nice.

Clean raspberry scent. No overpowering funkiness. Even has a cherry 7up smell to it.

Strong pithy bitterness. Seems to be the theme with Allagash's funk. Raspberry flavor is there but not as strong as I would like. Seems like more of a balanced fruit lambic. Seedy raspberry taste. Fairly light in acidity. Refreshing. Tannic like bitterness on the finish is a little overwhelming.

This was nice to drink but it lacked in many areas.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 21:41:25 | More by BearsOnAcid

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

lantern corps beer summit 2010 - day 2, oct 9/2010. Jw347 contributed this one. thanks john!

375ml corked and caged bottle.

pours hazy dark pink, nearly red, with a small white head. the head drops fairly fast and leaves a few spots of lace.

aroma is nice. date and cherry. nail polish remover. big vinegar sourness and acidity. white bread. bit of feet. some nut and seed character.

taste is good. similar to the aroma, but with mellower sourness. caramel. earthy.

mouthfeel is good. just under medium body. medium-low carbonation level.

drinkability is good. good balance. nice depth. restrained acidity.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 15:26:24 | More by grub

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From a bottle, pours a bright cherry red with a soapy head, and a lot of interior bubbles. Nose is bright, bright, and funky. Lambic-like and a touch medicinal. Flavor is mineral on the front, a touch of that medicinal quality, and herbal. Very full and funky, though not especially fruity. Pretty good, and it's impressive that Allagash was able to make this, as it's so distinctive from their other sours, including Gargamel, etc. Ultimately it has flaws, and the nose is a lot better than the mouth, but it was a pleasure to try.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 21:47:13 | More by JAXSON

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to my buddy George I was able to snag a few of these.
A nice fluffy pink head forms and begins fizzing very loudly. It’s a really bright purpleish/pink color and lasts only for about 30 seconds. Then it fades to nothing. The beer is a hazy pink color that reminds me of pink lemonade. No lacing at all.
Aroma is at first acidic and tart. Best described as a raspberry vinaigrette. Irt’s almost too easy just to say raspberry and I do get fruit even berry.. but less specifically defined as raspberry. Some more depth and some oak as it warms.
Tart, acidic, dry, lemon, vinegar, very light berry. Not very sweet at all, so you are getting the essence of the raspberry flavor without too much sweetness.
Really refreshing and delicate. Fairly acidic. Very bright on your tongue with pinpoint carbonation.
Nice little beer. Very happy I was able to score a bottle and take care of a few trading buddies.
Late in the glass I tried pairing this with some dark chocolate. Well that was a bad idea. Don’t do that. The tartness and acidity cut way too much to the bone for the chocolate flavor. Oh well, I tried. Wish I had some nice blue cheese or some creamy brie. (BA page suggest pairing with chocolate..I respectfully disagree)

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 22:41:56 | More by Reagan1984

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received in trade from mixylplik3, thanks for the opportunity Matt.
Pours a deep cloudy garnet red with a smallish pink tinged head that quickly dissipates to a ring on top. I can smell the tart as soon as I wrangle the cork out of the bottle. Lots of tart raspberries with a hint of brown sugar make up the bulk of the aroma. Lactic acid and funk provide support. The flavor is filled with lactic and citric acid. Lots of tart berries and lemons with just a touch of brown sugar. Light bits of funk come and go in the taste cycle. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a piercing light sugary tart mouthfeel. This is a very nice sour I quite enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:17:04 | More by johnnnniee

largadeer

California

4/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1 of 5 coolship beers shared by dsgolovin. Thanks, David.

Appearance: Big on lacto and tart raspberry. A little plasticy and metallic, faint barnyard. This has a good fruit character, but it isn't bursting with raspberries.

Taste & mouthfeel: Tart raspberry and tannic seed. Quite lactic, funky, very dry. Good oak presence in the finish, which shows good depth. The body feels thin compared to a real framboise, and the fruit character could use more intensity and depth, but it's nice overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 04:07:42 | More by largadeer

DarthKostrizer

California

4.05/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to whoever shared this one at Jerz tasting

Look: Pours a nice light red color with about a 1/8 inch head that does not stick around very long and neither did my pour

Smell: The nose is very fruity with raspberry being the front runner. You also pick up the tartness in the nose which makes me think the beer will be overly tart

Taste: Boy was I wrong about the beer being overly tart. The beer has a great balance of tartness to flavor ratio. Again the beer is pretty much just straight raspberries which I really liked very light and fruity. Good flavor

Mouthfeel: Light body with ample carbonation and a bit dry on the finish

Overall: It was a good beer but I am not sure as good as everyone at the tasting was acting like it was. It is one of the beer wild ales I have had because of the balance. So highly recommended

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 20:53:36 | More by DarthKostrizer

UCLABrewN84

California

4.05/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to mrbubbler for sharing this one at NoSignsOfPain's birthday bottleshare hosted at his place.

Bottled on 11/4/10.

Pours a murky light red with a foamy white-red head that fades to nothing. No lacing on this one. Smell is sour, tart, and funky with some berry and wood aromas. Taste is much the same with an acidic and slightly woody finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer but I think it smells better than it tastes.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 02:39:40 | More by UCLABrewN84

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-pours a beautiful dark cherry red with a very light pink colored head that is rather creamy.

S-the nose has a great funk to it, awesome earthy mushroom funk, light notes of leather, hints of acidity with a ton of ripe juicy raspberries that are moderately sour.

T-strong notes of leathery brett with a fair bit of earthy funk. the raspberry fruit is lighter than the nose with just a hint of sourness and a touch of mineral flavor to it.

M-creamy full body, soft on the palate with a lighter carbonation still lively on the back of the throat with a lightly dry finish.

D-this has a great funk to it that is well integrated with the fruit flavors. the nose is extremely vibrant and colorful but the flavor is slightly less so. still great stuff and extremely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 15:13:46 | More by cpetrone84

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of BlessedBeBeer. Served in an Allagash tulip.

Pours a beautiful pink-red with a niece very light pink head and good lacing. The nose carries some fresh raspberry with good funk and oak. Light sourness. Flavor has strong raspberry and light must. Faint oak. Good sourness. Light body with good carbonation and a dry finish. Boom.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 00:05:48 | More by Thorpe429

Sean9689

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Mike for this rare tick, much appreciated! Poured into tulip.

A - Pours a cherry red color, thin collar, some wisps on top.

S - Sweet cherries, oak, fruity funk. Not exactly a fresh fruit notes, but more of a processed fruity note...think Fruit Rollup's...or Sweet Tarts...something like that. That said, it's not a bad thing, just not fresh fruit.

T - Tastes fruity, oak, tart/sour notes. Not quite as sour as I was expecting from the previous reviews. Don't get me wrong, it's tart/sour, but not in a huge amount. More fruity tartness then a funky sour.

M - Light body, good carbonation, dry finish.

O - A decent sour, not mind-blowing...perhaps I had overly high expectations on this one? That said, it's good, but not on the upper level of American Wild Ales.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 15:28:06 | More by Sean9689

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks JR for sharing this one. Poured into a snifter (right after sharing a Supplication). Bright sparkling red in color, small head, a little lacing, decent carbonation. Smells of fresh raspberries with some mild funk. Tastes fruity and a little tart, but not as sour as I expected. Nice dry finish. Like a piece of veal or a single A pitcher, this is a young sour, with many intersting years to come in the bottle. And though its jealous and boisterous cousin Mattina Rossa wants to take center stage, the Red is the bottled raspberry sour of public release for now. It is very nice at such a young age; hopefully I'll get to try some again a few years down the road.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 02:44:17 | More by ElGallo

scottfrie

California

4.1/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

375ml bottle into Portsmouth snifter. Thanks for sharing, Jeff!

A: Pours a clear rose color with very active looking carbonation but almost no head.
S: This has some funk to it! I get big notes of sweat, barnyard must, straw, oak, fruit pith and a touch of sweet raspberry. The fruit in this is very fresh smelling.
T: Not as funky as the nose, but there is a good amount of tartness. Raspberries all the way with a few dry tannins. Finish is lightly sweet and greasy, and the aftertaste is funky and dry.
M: Greasy mouthfeel yet dry in the finish, body is slick and carbonation is fizzy.
O: A very flavorful and fruity sour. Oak is drying and greasy. A wonderful brew. Thanks Jeff.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 00:28:14 | More by scottfrie

maximum12

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Torgo for popping this bottle open at a tasting...certainly a brew I never expected to see. Jazzed to try it. 500 ML bottle.

Pour is like a lovely pink wine. Smell is tart, tart, with light raspberries.

Taste is identical, heavier on the raspberries. Tart, tart raspberries slip-side over the palate. Extremely drying, almsot to the point of gritty sandpaper on the palate. Fizzy. A small pour of this isn't enough: a bottle to myself would be just about right.

This is an excellent beer & a fantastic wild, right up my alley, tart & sharp without bending your face into contortions. Love.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 06:02:57 | More by maximum12

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Raspberries and beer have had a love affair for centuries. And Allagash keeps the romance kindled with the new adaptation of traditional Belgian kriek brewing in America with their raspberry infused sour ale simply and aptly named "Red"

And red it is, but perhaps splashed with a supple hue of orange and pink, the fruity overtones are evident even in the beer's winy appearance. Light on bubbles, the soft carbonation amounts only the daintiest of whitish foam that floats the beer with a creamy yet fleeting texture.

Sharp aromas capture the fruit essence in its entirety. Evading the candyish notion of fruit flavor, it is the brunt of raspberries that makes its mark at every corner with a mix of under ripened berried, fresh berry juice, and the skins and seeds that contribute softer almond and vanilla to the beer's fruit forward scent. White wine vinegar, zinfindale soaked oak, musty sandalwood, a whiff of sea air complement the perfumy aura that seduces the nose.

Mouthwatering even before the glass touches the lips, the intense tartness of raspberries is chased by the juices of the fruit and eases the palate from the pang of acidity that reaches the taste buds with assassin-like precision. At times the taste is so clean, tart, and sharp that the raspberry fruit is hardly distinguishable from any other fully fermented fruit, namely cherries. But as delicious as the fruit flavor seems, accent flavors of cider, slight vinegar, sea salt, earthy brine, drying woods, soft nuts and mild vanilla-like sweetness seem to massage the tongue almost in apologetic fashion for the onslaught of acidity to start the show. It's refreshing to see such finesse and aggression alive in one glass.

Light bodied throughout, the low level of carbonation forces the thin beer onto the taste buds for full mouth feel of acidity, sharpness, and seedy astringency. Finishing with a sudden lactic-tart cleanliness, only the most whimsical taste of cherry returns in aftertaste and informs the next sip.

Superior to the "Cerise", this raspberry sour ale competes favorably with the Boon Framboise-types of the Belgian world. Perhaps a fresher and fuller fruit taste is alive here, but I'm sure it will continue to mature and develop in the bottle toward dryness and complexity for those who are much more patient with cellering than me.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 18:51:17 | More by BEERchitect

MasterSki

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Mike generously shared this bottle, and I luckily have another bottle courtesy of Greg (Reagan1984). Served in a Bruery tulip.

A - A finger of white foam settles to a thick ring, partial cap, and minimal lace. Bright red, lightly hazed body.

S - Raspberry, sweet tarts, a bit vinous, some lactic character, hint of grapefruit and oak. Lots of raspberries - quite sweet, although not out-of-line for a fresh fruit lambic. Funk and acetobacter are fairly low at this stage.

T - Taste is again hefty on the raspberry and sweet tart. Some nebulous doughy pale malt, light oak. Pretty acetic stuff, reminiscent of sour raspberry candy.

M - Medium-low carbonation, medium body, and a dry finish with some obvious tannic oak character in there.

D - Quite enjoyable stuff, albeit extremely fruit-forward at this stage. I'm looking forward to see how this ages compared to genuine lambics and am curious to see what sort of complexity is inherent in Maine's wild yeast. I hope they can ramp up production on this, as it's one of Allagash's best offerings.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 17:34:18 | More by MasterSki

AgentZero

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Bright red colored beer, little bit cloudy, with a white head that faded to a nice ring and left a bit of lace.

S - A little bit funky, lots of raspberries. Smells pretty sweet with some decent tartness.

T - Very sweet and raspberry tasting with not tons of funk yet. Decently acetic and sour. This is one of the better tasting Allagash beers I've had.

M - Medium bodied, lower carbonation, dry finish.

O - Out of all of the Allagash beers I've had this one is probably the best. Not world class exactly, really good with some potential to develope.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 18:18:06 | More by AgentZero

mdfb79

New York

4.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 06/07/12 notes. Very happy to try this finally at RFD during Lupulin, and got about another 6-8 oz.'s of it afterwards at the bar.

a - Pours a hazy deep pinkish red color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of raspberries, sour dark fruits, light funk, tart cherries, acedic. Very nice nose. Not super funky or too sour, but smells great.

t - Tastes mirrors the nose very closely, but with a little more funk. Lots of tart cherries, raspberries, and sour dark fruits, funk, acedic notes.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Acedic, but easy to drink.

o - Overall a really nice wild ale, and another winning sour from Allagash. While I preferred Resurgam, and wasn't nearly as funky, this had a lot of nice sour dark fruit to it. Would love to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 17:27:40 | More by mdfb79

Arbitrator

California

4.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Chilled bottle into a glass, courtesy of alfrantzell. Thanks, Arne! From notes.

A: Pours a hazy strawberry red, with light pink head. No retention or lace.

S: Raspberries, mostly lactic sourness with a touch of vinegar, mushroom funk. The latter is what I appreciate most in good gueuze, especially some of the Armand 4's, so to find it here is pleasing.

T: The flavor is balanced; some raspberry beers can run away with the acidity and become incredibly harsh to drink. The fruit flavor is bold, lending some tartness and working well with the mostly clean (lactic) sourness. But some vinegar in the finish does give it a light burn on the way down.

M: Aside from the light burn, the mouthfeel is clean; no residual sweetness or syrupiness. Semidry.

O: Good overall! I think this was one of the pilot Coolship Series beers, and it bodes well for the program...

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 00:18:25 | More by Arbitrator

Brez07

Maine

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled this at the recent Southern Maine Beer Drinkers meeting. 3oz pour into a tasting glass. Thanks to Jason and Rob at Allagash for letting our group try this beer (along with Resurgam)

A: Pours a cloudy ruby/grapefruit color. No head or lacing, but the small sample doens't really allow for any. My pour was towards the end of the bottle, so there were some floaties (likely from the raspberries)

S: Light raspberry essence. Other fruit flavors came out (such as apple), but nose was mostly raspberry. Small hint of funk in the finish

T: Wonderful burst of fruit, again mostly raspberry. After this, the beer goes dry and slightly tart

M: Light bodied, low carbonation, dry finish

D: Very delicious beer which I am extremely grateful to have tried. The one thing I would like to see is more carbonation though. Looking forward to when these Coolship beers are released to the public

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 13:31:02 | More by Brez07

dasenebler

Maine

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

375mL, corked and caged. First and only(?) batch released August 2011.

Pours a radiant pink with a short-lived bubbly head.

Aroma is incredibly fragrant and fruity, with huge raspberry notes. Lots of funk and acidity, with some oak as well.

The flavor is very sour, bordering on Cantillon territory. Wow. Dry, oaky and mouth-puckeringly tart. The raspberry is mostly in aroma, though some fruit comes through on the palate. The mouthfeel is highly carbonated at first, but fades quickly.

This is a pretty remarkable beer for an American brewery to be making. Though not technically a Lambic, this is a very authentic tasting beer. I'm excited to see what other sours come out of the Coolship series.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 02:13:58 | More by dasenebler

Satchboogie

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

375ml bottle dated 11/4/10

A: Pours translucent pale red/pink, thin soda like head that very quickly evaporates into nothing. Looks a little flat.

S: Light raspberry, oak, funk, slight grape skin

T: tart raspberry that is a bit subdued and in good balance with oak and funk. A little lactic, not overpowering. Not quite mouth puckering.

M: Medium body though carbonation is too low for my taste.

O: Great balanced taste, though I'd prefer it'd be more acidic. Carbonation was a little flat. A great beer, but not perfect.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 01:58:15 | More by Satchboogie

sk8man121

Maine

4.35/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12.7 oz bottle ($15 at the brewery) poured into Allagash Coolship tumbler. Bottled 11/4/10.

A: Pours a brilliant, deep pink with strawberry highlights. If there's any such thing as "phosphorescent red," this is it; like kool aid, really. Quickly rising effervescent 2-finger head dies just as fast into a thin ring on the glass. Leaves no lacing.

S: Extremely traditional lambic smell right off the bat; hay, barnyard funk. Raspberry is there, but fainter than expected. Smells very clean.

T: Immediate gueuze-like characteristics hit the palate; lemon, hay and tons of acidity. Red-wine vinegar dominates the center, as well as just enough raspberry to get the point across. This is an EXTREMELY DRY lambic; not a touch of sweetness going on here, which makes it all the more drinkable. Top notch.

M: Spritzy as can be; exactly what I was hoping for. Rather thin otherwise, but characteristic of the style.

O: All I can say is what a shame this is such a limited release. If this was readily available, I could drink it on a weekly basis. The most lambic qualities I've seen in an Allagash release by far, and it works ohh so well.

Beg, borrow and steal for this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 22:56:53 | More by sk8man121

mdaschaf

Washington

4.4/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes. Thanks to Jay and Paul for bringing this one down to Evo.

A: Pours a pink/watermelon color with a small light pinkish, foamy head on top. Not much retention at all or lacing.

S: A little musty/barnyard aroma going with some nice raspberry coming out. Very sweet and tart with a little of the oak coming through as well.

T: Similar to the aroma, lots of juicy raspberries, great tart qualities. On the earthy side, with a little bit of grass and a slight lemon flavor. The oak comes through a little, but the tart/juicy raspberries really steal the show here.

M: Medium bodied with active carbonation, slightly prickly, with a little bit of a dry finish. Great tartness.

O: Fantastic beer, one of the best wild ales I have had. The flavor was incredibly vibrant, the type of beer I would love to have on hand everyday of the year.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 21:47:09 | More by mdaschaf

claspada

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of and shared with mrand01.

Pours a light red/dark pink and really hazy, with this sort of white cloud of stuff dissolved in it. The head is thin, white, small bubbles, low retention, no lacing, moderate carbonation. The color is pretty but plenty of floaties are evident even with a careful pour.

Aromas begin with a ton of raspberry, sweet tarts, a bit vinous, some lactic character and a hint and oak. Lots of raspberries although not out-of-line for a fresh fruit lambic. As it warms you get a lot of funk and barnyard; I normally rag on people because I have never actually smelled a barnyard in a beer but this smells a little like manure, wet hay, funky cheese, must. Really complex here.

The flavors begin with tart berries, dry oak, lemon and light vinegar. Not very sweet at all, so you are getting the essence of the raspberry flavor without too much sweetness.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to medium carbonation. It is really refreshing and delicate. Fairly acidic. Very bright on your tongue with pinpoint carbonation.

Overall this was incredible and probably the best made Wild/Sour Ale I have ever had from an American brewer; this was made in Maine, no way. Quite fruit forward and equally funky with not much sourness yet, not sure how this will age, but I really like how this is tasting right now. Really complex and well worth seeking out and trading for if you have the arsenal to get it done. I think only 400 bottles were made so this may be hard to come by, so I am glad I was fortunate to be able to sample this rare gem.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 15:34:37 | More by claspada