Allagash Vrienden - Allagash Brewing Company

MacQ32

South Carolina

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

A - Poured aggressively, super clear copper decent half finger of off white head, dissipates pretty quickly, little to no lacing. Looks like a light 9.3%

S - Smells kind of bready and sweet with caramel up front, not at all what I was expecting. Tart fruity/funkiness and acidity come into play. Brett, apricot and lemon.

T - Some mild fruity tartness, caramel and slight hint of earthy hops as it sits on my pallet. Once swallowed the tart fruity qualities and Brett take over. Little dry at the finish, really digging the aftertaste

M - Pretty light bodied, kind of lacking in carbonation but fits the body appropriately.

O - Drinkable & refreshing wild ale. Alcohol undetectable, pretty tasty for sure, a nice tolerable amount of funk (not a huge wild ale guy). If I was going to drink a funk brew I'd definitely come back to this.

Serving type: growler

12-16-2011 01:00:57 | More by MacQ32

DearthVader

California

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to jpmclaug for this growler.

Poured to my Allagash goblet (naturally)

Pours a very pretty glowing blood orange with a thick, creamy pure white head that seems to last forever. The legs left behind on this one are extremely detailed and the best I've seen for the style.

Smell is somewhat weak with sight apricot and a bit of funk on the nose.

Taste is somewhat muffled as well. Belgian yeasts with earthy tones. This are backed by some unripe apricot, and green apple skin.

Mouthfeel is fairly light which makes this very drinkable.

Overall it was slightly above par for me. It was definitely better than the New Belgium version, but still nothing to write home about. Not much tartness to this one even though it's considered a "sour".

Serving type: growler

09-21-2011 07:26:43 | More by DearthVader

Nesued

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Obtained from the fine folks at Green's on Piney Grove Road. Great staff, great keg offerings!

Appearance - A ruddy hazy amber color. Slight head formed upon the initial pour, resolving to nothing. Perhaps a slight carbonation, but nothing really to write home about.

Smell - An inviting floral nose greets you when you begin the process of taking this beer in. Light and airy. Some faint malts and a sweetness as well. Fruity and citrus notes play along. The brett "funky" qualities join the fun as well.

Taste - The tartness of this offering opens your experience followed with some fruity/cherry components. I've never had elderberries so I can only assume what I am tasting is the contribution of the aforementioned berry. The sourness leads you to a crisp dry finish. Very refreshing and thirst quenching.

Mouthfeel - When you hold onto it for a bit, you do get a bit of a medium mouthfeel. The linger is nice as well with the positioning of sweet and sour continuing to hold your tongue.

Overall - A great offering. Well executed and well presented. If only it could be part of my usual rotation. Kudos.

Serving type: growler

08-22-2011 22:58:14 | More by Nesued

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

big thanks for the nice growler of this one, great to be able to try this one!

. A light pink in color with a huge head of white that came up over the top to a height of around an inch before dropping back down to earth with little in the way of lacing. Aroma was wonderful though. Nice touches of raspberries, hints of light cherry and a touch of sour apples as well. Really quite nice, and very light and refreshing. Smooth and light flavor here as well. Not especially sour, but people need to realize a wild ale does not need to be sour. Anyway. Cherries and Raspberries dominate here, light touches of grape skin, apples and a smooth, and light sugary note to it as well.

Serving type: growler

06-16-2011 02:09:50 | More by mikesgroove

Gfunk720

Connecticut

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

Thanks to DeCicco's for a growler. This one is definitely best at closer to room temperature, at fridge temp it really tasted bland.

A- A nice clean amber color, with a very light white head. Little bubbles cling to the side of the glass.

S- Funky grass and flowers. I get some vinegar notes and wine, with a touch of berrys.

T- This is a very interesting beer. Very smooth at first, and transitioning to a sweet malty flavor with a touch of vinegar. The lacto and dandelions are evident in the aftertaste. Nothing too sour or funky, but tasty.

M- Good for the style, and I would never guess in a million years that it was 9.3%. It has a nice complex flavor, and good aftertaste. Carbonation is pretty on point.

O- Not your typical wild ale, but tasty none the less. I really recommend drinking it at close to room temperature as possible, as cold it was just really one dimensional. Overall, not bad.

-Gfunk

Serving type: growler

04-28-2011 23:28:25 | More by Gfunk720

Billolick

New York

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the Great Lost bear in maine a week or two ago and now a growler pour from DeCiccio's in Ardsley, NY.

Pours hazed/clouded auburn amber, minor medium tan head, quick to depart, leaves just a faint film, thin collar and no lace. On the low side of the carbonation scale.

Nose faintly of sweet and ripe tropical fruits, not much else.

On the tongue is where the interest rises, tart, fruity, herbal, moderatly sour. More ripe fruits, cherry for sure coming through as well as plums. Super dry finish, with more tart and sour goodness. Complex, interesting and flavorful offering. Glad I had the chance to give this one a couple of tries.

Serving type: growler

04-28-2011 00:16:13 | More by Billolick

pmlondrigan

New York

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Oh Allagash....Not much goin on in the appearance of this beer. Orange-ish hugh, and a quickly fading head (though perhaps this is a result of a pour growler fill), no lacing on my glass but some spots on my fiances glass. Pretty aroma, faintly funky, light brett C aroma, flowery and fresh cut grass.
Complex flavors begins more like a saison, with earthy grassy tones and brett-y funk. Soft mid-palate. There is a clear presence of tart drying elderberries. Pretty dry beer here.
Overall this beer clearly falls into the funky and complex realm of American Wild Ales. A nice effort that could have used more time to develop, just not funky enough and clearly not sour.

Serving type: growler

04-19-2011 01:13:23 | More by pmlondrigan

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 32oz. growler filled 4/16/11 at Decicco's in Ardsley, NY, into LA stemware.

A: Standard pour yields a .5 finger coarse white head with poor retention. Beer is a semi-clear flourescent orange-peach. Lacing is stringy and spotty and sticks close to the top of the brew. Nice legs though. Great color too.

S: Nose is aromatic and sweet. Orange and other citrus peel, coriander, unidentified spices. Also a bit of peach and pineapple tartness. Slightly powdery with a touch of cane sugar. Very appetizing though mostly lacking in funk save for a bit of tickling Brett presence in the background.

T: Opens light citrus, coriander, other spices, and wild flowers. Feels like I'm chewing on grass mixed with lemon and orange tartness. Tropical pineapple in the middle with a powdery cane sugar end. Finish is more floral sweetness and dry. Aftertaste is a variety of sweet spices. More of a Saison than a wild ale. There's no funk and no tartness though plenty of complexity.

M: Light bodied with moderate carbonation. Mellow and slightly watery in the mouth and goes down smooth. Finish is clean and dry with a powdery, floral aftertaste that lingers. Could use some more bubbles and dryness for its style.

O: Overall I'm a bit dissapointed by this brew. However, that being said, its pretty much in line with all of Allagash's other limited sour offerings. Flavor is mellow and beer is more floral and wild than funky and sour. Worth trying if you get a chance just to experience something different within the style. However, being that the Allagash offering is very limited, probably not worth the effort.

Serving type: growler

04-17-2011 22:29:30 | More by SpeedwayJim

PDXHops

South Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler poured into a Duvel tulip. Hazy honeyish amber with a steady stream of bubbles feeding the frothy foam on top. Retention is OK, lacing a touch better.

I wouldn't say I could specifically identify elderberry, but the nose is full of tart fruitiness, not quite sour but getting close. Modestly funky.

Oddly enough, it smells more sour than it tastes. The berry presence leans more toward the sweet than the tart, enhanced by some honeyish malt. I'm not a huge fan of brett, but I think it works better in a beer with some sweetness like this than with a massively sour one. Prickly and peppery feel with vigorous carbonation and a lingering tart berry finish with a lightly funky aftertaste. Alcohol is incredibly well-hidden.

Overall impression: I strongly prefer wild ales without brett, but I'd say this is my favorite one that includes it. A couple of glasses went down easy on their own, and a third was a nice match for some Port Salut cheese.

Serving type: growler

04-01-2011 22:14:07 | More by PDXHops

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the Armsby Abbey.

A - Poured into an Allagash tulip a clear dark golden copper hue with a nice creamy one finger dense head that left sticky lacing down the glass.

S - Aromas of light barrel and vinegar. That's kinda it.

T - Taste brings out nice barrel, good vinegar and light vanilla. Tart fruit skins, lightly sweet and floral.

M - Mouthfeel is super good for a higher ABV, incredibly drinkable and lightly carbonated.

O - Overall this was a tasty brew from Allagash super sessionable. The nose is a bit lacking but other that that this is a nice offering.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 21:40:58 | More by rudzud

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

On tap at the Brick Store Pub for their 15th anniversary week. A delicious beer, wonderful that I got a chance to try some. Pours a dark orange with excellent clarity and some very nice lacing. Smells nicely sour without being overly acetic. Nice background notes of stone fruit. Fairly zingy and delicious flavors of bright citrus and apricot, with the faintest metallic twang. Dry and nicely sour. Not as complex as some, but very balanced and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2012 18:44:12 | More by Georgiabeer

UCLABrewN84

California

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap for Allagash night at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Pours a murky honey brown with a tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sour/tart fruits, herbs, and some slight floral aromas. Taste is very much the same with a very nice tart finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good and tasty wild ale and I like this Allagash version much better than the New Belgium one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 05:05:44 | More by UCLABrewN84

thepeter

United Kingdom (England)

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fluffy and pretty nice head clinging to the glass. Light in color, Aroma of lemon zest, floural, earth and funk. Tastes similar very light and not too strongly flavored. An easy sour beer that has toned down elements of funk and osur, without much if any barnyard. Very soft and light on the palate. Overall a very nice beer that I am glad to have tried, alcohol was very well hidden and I liked how easy it was to drink and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 23:54:26 | More by thepeter

BearsOnAcid

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Light copper pour; off white fluffy head with sticky lacing

Slight mettalic and vegetal nose. Saison esters, lemony. A little dirty.

Light berry and saison flavor. Light tartness and lemony. A little bit of a leafy broccoli flavor probably from the dandelion greens. This was much better than the New Belgium version. Decent but not great.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 20:21:13 | More by BearsOnAcid

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

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

Had this on 2011-12-03 in Paoli, PA at TJ's (from tasting notes)

A - Mostly-clear amber with no head.

S - Candied orange, tea leaves and mint. Smells very nice.

T - Lots of wild yeast, funk, elderberry citrus, leafy, straw, dry.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Mildly syrupy.

O - Nice but there are other sours I like a lot more.

Notes: Made with dandelion leaves and elderberries.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 13:57:39 | More by Tucquan

jlenik

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

a: hazy, translucent, and golden. some head, disappeared quickly and loudly.

s: tropical fruits are present, bright spice notes as well.

t: I'm getting a decent amount of sweetness out of this one and I'm assuming it's from the elderberries. bitterness is not pronounced but it is definitely present. tart but not overly sour.

m: the finish can become dry and as I drink it I can taste some alcohol lingering but I don't mind.

o: a very enjoyable wild ale from Allagash. wish this was in a larger format.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 04:24:38 | More by jlenik

ToasterChef

Maine

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This bottle has been in my cellar since the day it was released at the Allagash Brewery. I'm serving it in an Allagash flute at a chilly temperature.

The beer has a very light copper color; it's nearly tan. There is a great number of tiny bubbles rising within the beer. A rather large white foam head rests on top. It has settled some—leaving behind a few rings of foamy lace—but it still over a finger in thickness.

Vrienden has a grassy farmhouse funk aroma. I believe some of the grassiness comes from the hops, but I imagine that at least a portion is from the dandelion greens added to the brew. The funkiness is mild, but prevalent enough to let you know that you are in for a beer that lives on the wild side.

This beer comes across as very tart. Lots of grass and floral flavors are tasted first. Powdered sugar sweetness comes in next, but it is quickly overshadowed but the tart flavors. The tartness has a slight citrus quality to it (like a lemon), but there isn't any of the grapefruit flavors you find in some hoppy beers. It provides a welcome fruitiness to the beer without making it taste like a fruit beer.

This beer has a fuller body and plenty of carbonation—the bottle opened with a resounding POP. A touch of stickiness is left on the lips; the coating left within my mouth is also sticky. It is a thin coat and is holds onto some of the tart flavors. Some puckering is felt by the beer; but as a drink more of it, the physical reaction grows less strong with each sip.

This is another impressive wild ale from Allagash. I'm a little sad that I only have one bottle of this left, but I bet there are still a few kegs of Vrienden sitting in the brewery. I would certainly order a glass if I saw it offered.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 02:13:03 | More by ToasterChef

Jason

Massachusetts

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

375ml brown bottle, no freshness date needed as this one will probably be good to drink for a while.

LOOK: Bright orange hue, pasty lacing ... looks inviting.

SMELL: Grassy, vegtal, tart, marmalade, musty cellar, herbal, woody, mint, esters, lemon zest

TASTE: Smooth, dry, tart, lemon pith, vegtal, medicinal, dried grass, chalky yeast, musty, funk, faint barn yard, sweet onion, sour berries, dry finish

Really out there, smacks the palate with tartness. If not for the dry character it would not be so drinkable. A sipper still, glad I did not subject myself to getting this in growler form as that was not the brewers intent. I'm thinking this one will start to peak in about a year but I'm satisfied with opening it now.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 04:52:24 | More by Jason

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a wine glass.

Pours a clear orange red color with a small white head along with some thin lacing. Nose is fairly tame and mellow, wish I could say more.

Taste is very well balanced. Not too sour but it is tart and fruity. With rich carbonation and a crisp finish that's got an odd vegital flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 23:32:56 | More by kingcrowing

scottfrie

California

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

375ml bottle into Portsmouth snifter. A huge thank you to SneezyAchew for hooking it up (and for the glass)!

A: Pours a lightly hazy glowing golden amber with a fluffy light tan head that faded into a thick film leaving a great network of thin lacing down the glass.
S: Light notes of lemon, peaches, brett, and a bit of dry hay and earthy saison-esque notes.
T: Follows the nose but I also get notes of tart berries (elderberries?), green apples, oak, and floral notes. The finish is lightly bitter and tart, and the aftertaste is dry and has a tartness akin to fruit skins. There is a good fruity sweetness to the brew throughout.
M: Dry mouthfeel, medium body, and normal soft carbonation.
O: Really solid beer that isn’t too mouth-puckering. Very refreshing actually, with a good fruity, bretty, floral flavor. Thanks again Michael!

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 02:27:33 | More by scottfrie

womencantsail

California

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ

A: The beer pours a slightly hazed golden orange color with a thin white head.

S: Not the most assertive nose. Fairly floral with a touch of banana, too. A very light tartness to it, maybe a light pear sourness. Some apple skins and a light malt note to it, maybe a bit of oak.

T: Fairly sweet for a sour beer. Lots if pear and apple, a bit of banana, as well. Light bread flavor with some oak and a touch of lemon and lemon zest. Some other citrus notes, too.

M: Medium bodied with a low to medium carbonation.

O: This was a bit better than the New Belgium version, but it still didn't do much for me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2011 20:40:51 | More by womencantsail

Soonami

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had during Philly Beer Week at Local 44, served in a 12 oz tulip.

Golden with a slight apricot blush, topped with a fine thinly knit head yielding good lacing

A little phenolic in the nose with some musty funy and a little bit of grape.

A little bit sour with lots of grape flavor with a dry bretty finish

Smooth MF with delicate carbonation that made this feel a little thin

A good beer that was interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2011 15:51:25 | More by Soonami

nickd717

California

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Gourmet Haus Staudt, surprisingly. I thought this beer was pretty rare.

Hazy golden in color with a small white head.

Mildly tart Belgian aroma, somewhat acetic, with stone fruits, floral notes, and brett.

Bretty and somewhat tart flavor with Belgian yeast, light fruits, lemon/citrus, flowers, and mild funk.

Medium body with average carbonation.

A solid beer - is this supposed to be sour? Either way I like it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2011 15:46:49 | More by nickd717

ThePorterSorter

New York

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

Appearance:
Light copper ale with a thin white head. There is a huge amount of haze, especially once the bottom sediment is poured off. I noticed something very interesting with this beer's head, several small, foam-producing doughnuts.

Smell:
Ethanol and cardboard with a little bit of carbon earthiness. This beer smells utterly funkified and wild. Definitely a beer to be served warm.

Taste:
Sour and cultured. The alcohol melding with the beer's natural zest is super refreshing. The traditional, yet somehow now exotic spices are a very interesting addition to this beverage. However, the sourness is up front and forward.

Mouthfeel:
Sour and biting with stinging ethanol. Very bubbly and refreshing beverage that burns and leaves a herbal/funky aftertaste. The thick sediment doesn't lend much to the beer's body, which remains fairly light. When the beer warms there is a strong, mouth-watering acidity. This is an exciting beverage indeed!

Overall:
For the price/quantity, this beer is fairly expensive. I like their creativity and collaboration in making this beer because both Allagash and New Belgium are completely capable breweries. I liked how the beer can be consumed at room temp and only get more complex and sour!

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 02:25:59 | More by ThePorterSorter

tigg924

Massachusetts

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

Had on tap at Rose Alley, New Bedford

Appearance: low carbonation, minimal head, reddish brown in color, clear

Smell: sour cherries and funck

Taste: sour mix—the first sip is rather puckering, cherries, berries, and oak all combine in here.

Mouthfeel: sour and puckering with some bitterness to the end. low carbonation, light body

Overall: A sipper in every sense of the word. My first sip was about as sour as I have had in a beer—certainly the most sour beer from the States I have had. Glad I got to try this as the flavors no meld well for me. Worth a try if you like sour beers. However, this is most likely a one and done for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 17:23:46 | More by tigg924