Allagash FV 13 - Allagash Brewing Company

Bowdoinbeerboy

Maine

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Allagash Brewery during their tour session.

This poured a lovely, clear red color with almost no head.

The nose on this was very interesting, it was very acidic smelling, but not in an unpleasant or harsh way, more like how wine can be. The tour guide said that this beer was brewed with both Brett yeast as well as Lacto yeast. This combination really seemed to create a very complex beer with lots of vinous characteristics but with a really solid "sour" bite from the lacto. This beer also fermented for 4 years in a giant oak barrel, so it has some very unique characteristics.

Overall this was a really interesting and tasty beer. Very vinous and pretty sour. It is also a little acidic, perhaps overly so. Definitely worth a try if you want to get into the world of sour beers.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 20:11:57 | More by Bowdoinbeerboy

wedge

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

@ Milltown

Hazy reddish-brown with a small amount of creamy head on top. Aromas of tart cherries, spicy wood, earthy fruit and a touch of caramel. Quite acidic flavor-wise...tart fruit, oak, spicy sharpness, some tannins, and a pleasant sweetness. Dry, yet slick, medium body and no trace of alcohol. A little rough around the edges, but still very tasty and well-crafted in the Flanders style. I have to wonder if they were to blend this with a younger beer, if everything would smooth out and take this to the next level.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 13:15:12 | More by wedge

thagr81us

South Carolina

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

Had during Brewvival 2013! Served from tap into a Brewvival sampler shaker. Poured a golden pale yellow with a half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, earth, funk, subtle tartness, and fruit. The flavor was of sweet malt, wood, funk, earth, fruit, and subtle tart. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. I was really glad to see this one show up at the festival as the reviews I’ve read on this one as it all sounded really good. While this one was solid for the style, it didn’t quite deliver like I would have hoped. Still very nicely done and glad I got the chance to try this one on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2013 00:54:42 | More by thagr81us

Brewsephus

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured from tap at Allagash Brewery into tulip glass.

Pours a rich burgundy going into mahogany, with a small white head. Smells of sour cherries, green apple, oak. First flavors that hit your tongue are unripe apple, cooking spices, with a sherry finish. There is a little funk here, light barnyard, hay, biscuit and bread flavor. The finish is harsh. Cloying acetic quality burns the back of your throat. This is not a jaw cramping sour but more of a slow heartburn quality. Vomit flavor? Mouthfeel is fine, its certainly not viscous or vinuous. Carbonation is ok. The tour guide said it best when he described when he would have this beer: "I could drink one glass, with a friend, in front of a fire, while discussing Chomsky."

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 12:42:56 | More by Brewsephus

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.41/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

On tap into sniffer glass

A:golden honey in color but rather cloudy and almost completely opaque. There is a little but if tab head that settles to a average lacing.

S:the first thing that comes to mind is that familiar barnyard funk there is a sweetness in there too maybe cherries

T: so there is definitely a sour tart flavor with some fruity sweetness it is hard for me to pull and spesific flavors out but it is delicious

M:smooth and very oily which allows it to go down easily with no traces of alcohol. It has a nice light crisp carbonation/champagne feel that makes it an enjoyable feel

O: really enjoyed this beer easy drinking nice light sour/tart flavor with a great feel I highly recommend this

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2013 00:49:39 | More by Pinknuggets

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Churchkey earlier this evening. Served in a snifter. Pours a reddish-brown color with a thin off-white head that quickly falls down and away into a collar.

The nose carries really nice notes of cherry, oak, and light vanilla alongside a touch of sherry-like oxidized malt. Very similar to a high quality Flanders Red. Especially as it warms, there's some backing red wine character, especially through to the flavor.

Flavor has all of the components of the nose, and is even more well integrated with the addition of a great acidity level. Mostly lactic with just the right touch of acetic carrying through the finish to offset the mild creaminess and vanilla character of the wood. Vinous through the back end and carrying to the finish.

Medium body and fairly-light carbonation. Expertly done. One of the best Flanders-style beers that I've ever had, especially considering that it's from the U.S.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 01:14:52 | More by Thorpe429

kojevergas

California

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Cost was $16.00 at my go-to bottle shop here in SoCal. 12.7 fl oz brown glass bottle with hood and wire cap over a cork served into a Mitchells of Lancaster flared stem-tulip in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are very high; I believe this is my first Allagash sour (as in sour, not just funky). Bottled 11/29/12; it's about 6 months old now. "Ale aged in oak barrels." 8.9% ABV confirmed.

Served chilled; I don't like my sours too cold. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

As I unwrap the cage, I notice the cork has some artwork on it. Interesting. Cork sits in the bottle until I pull it out. Cork comes out easily by hand, yielding a satisfying pop but the beer doesn't rise; carbonation seems perfect so far.

A: Pours a two finger white colour head. Thickness is okay. No lacing as the head recedes. Light cream. It isn't particularly frothy. The head seems somewhat thin and rather gentle. Retention is decent for the ABV - about 3 minutes. Body colour is a gorgeous vibrant orange-gold. Translucent but not transparent; at best I can see the shadow of my finger on the opposite side of the glass when looking through the beer. It's looking classy and understated for a sour; I'm looking forward to trying it.

Sm: Nice oak - not particularly deep or evocative but unmistakable. Has a definite barrel redolence. Plentiful lacto yeast notes; it doesn't come off as a lambic or a tart sour - just a lacto-bomb. It's pretty timid otherwise; little malt character and no detectable hop notes or alcohol. Hints of light wine - perhaps white wine or a fine sherry. Palpable acidity. Some buried cherry fruit. Fleeting vanilla. What little malt character does come through is just a mellow breadiness - there to support the finer notes but not to draw attention to itself. Not really tart at all. Not all that sour based on the aroma either. Mild in strength. This should be interesting.

T: Luxurious white cherry with some softening vanilla helping to balance the fairly high acidity. Sourness comes from pure lacto; not getting much tartness or funk here. Lightly cidery. Some rustic farmhouse notes on the climax. Bready malts comprise the unobtrusive plain foundation. Oak tones throughout. Notes of sherry/light white wine are subtly executed. Subtlety is definitely the objective here; its character is light and subdued. Not much complexity, but excellent balance. I do wish it were more sour - or at least a biteen tart. Light peach. Well-built for the style, if a bit wanting in terms of sour character. It could bring more to the table in terms of depth of flavour, but it's quite pleasant and enjoyable.

Mf: Moderately dry, evoking both sherry and crisp perry or cider. Perfect carbonation. Fairly high acidity. It's never biting or sharp. Very mellow and drinkable, suiting the flavour profile nicely. Smooth and approachable. Well executed for the style. Complements the flavour profile marvelously, but it doesn't feel custom-tailored to it.

Dr: Increasingly, it's becoming obvious to me that Allagash values subtlety in their "sours"; the subtlety here is masterful. Though it may not be as sour as I'd like, it's a well-balanced and well-executed beer for the style and I'd have it again if it weren't for the high pricetag. Definitely nice to try once, but it didn't blow me away like I hoped. There are better sours with wider availability to be had at a better price. Alcohol is very well concealed. Obscenely drinkable; I can't wait for the next sip. A lovely brew from Allagash, and one I'm glad to have gotten to try.

B+

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:07:26 | More by kojevergas

tdm168

North Carolina

4.06/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to jtd1969 for sharing this one with me.

A - amber with a thin, off white lacing of head

S - apples, tart, sour

T - apple, pear, tart, a little bready, malty

M - medium bodied, well carbonated, crisp

This is a really nice beer. It's richly malty, estery, and tart. It's almost exactly what I want in a Wild Ale. This is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 23:58:21 | More by tdm168

henskejk

California

4.14/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served from bottle into Teku glass.

A - Nice amber color with light tan head that remains as the beer sits.

S - Very nice aroma with a little sweetness and fruity tartness as well as a bit of wood.

T - A blend of sweet and tart fruit flavor at the beginning that fades into a dry tartness. This blends with some oak presence. No alcohol flavor comes through. Some slight vinegar notes as it warms a bit.

M - Crisp and dry with a healthy dose of carbonation.

O - very enjoyable glad I picked up a bottle, good amount of sour in my opinion, not overwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:39:30 | More by henskejk

nquigley16

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a wine glass from the bottle.

Pours a dark orange brown with a finger of head, pretty much the same color as the label. Smells extremely winey (in an amazing way). Sour, orange, oak, tannins, grapes, sour cherries. Tons of delicious dry fruity notes coming through on the nose. Taste is perfectly tart with lots of fruitiness and a slightly dry tannic finish that compliments the tiny bit of sweetness coming through. This is one fantastic beer, amazing balance and very complex. The yeast did an incredible job, but doesn't overpower the other flavors at all.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 22:19:59 | More by nquigley16

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4.09/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Golden color, small head. On par with good beers of the style.

S - Awesome smell. Nice and tart. Some apple and pear.

T - Serious letdown. Doesn't live up to the smell whatsoever. Tart, some generic fruit, but nothing pronounced or special. Flavors are muddled.

M - Gets points for having no alcohol presence whatsoever. At this abv, that's a nice plus.

O - Another letdown from Allagash. They don't do anything special in my opinion. When I smelled this I was very impressed and hoping they finally pulled one off, but I was wrong. I'd drink it, but I probably wouldn't buy it.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 19:43:44 | More by nrs207

UCLABrewN84

California

4.03/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to GRG1313 for sharing this one at his tasting.

Bottled 11/29/12.

Pours a murky orange with a foamy bone head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is sour and tart with fruit, wood, and acidic aromas. Taste is much the same with fruity flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of acidity on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 01:00:43 | More by UCLABrewN84

Jonada

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

375ml with cork and cage. Bottled on 12/21/2012. Served in a Russian River stemmed glass. Cork removed with a loud pop.

Appearance: Dark amber/orange in color. 1 finger of an off white, cream colored head. Body is slightly hazy with lots of visible carbonation streaming throughout. Head stuck around through the whole glass and left some nice lacing.

Smell: Oak, lactic and acidic sourness, sour red grape, orange, peach/apricot, light barnyard funk, and a hint of vanilla.

Taste: Much less sour then the nose would indicate. The sourness is actually quite low. Lots of oak and vanilla barrel character, light lactic sourness, apricot, blood orange

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a soft creamy mouthfeel. Medium soft carbonation. Very light bitterness in the finish. Gentle alcohol warmth after it goes down, but the alcohol is hidden extremely well.

Overall: Interesting wild ale from Allagash. A stronger tatness/sourness could have really sent this one over the top for me, but its still an excellent beer thats worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 04:07:36 | More by Jonada

Hugonaut13

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

375ml bottle poured into HF globe

A - Pours a lighter reddish-brown with minimal head, even after a hard pour. Small ring of bubbles remain around the edge of the glass. Leaves a bit of lacing when swirled.

S - Strong scene of oak and cherries on top of oak and cherries. Some plum. A bit of sour funk, but far from strong. Smells tasty.

T - Good mix of sour and tart up front with cherries joining the party in the mid palate. Finishes sweet. Almost refreshing. None of those flavors dominate the palate. As it warmed, more vinegar appeared dropping the score a tad

M - definitely rich mouthfeel for the style. Quite dry. Very smooth.

O - I definitely enjoyed this, but I wouldn't call it complex. Each flavor is very pronounced but blends together well in a harmonious fashion. I would have no problem polishing off a 750ml of this (if they ever made one) by myself. This is a sour that both serves as a great anytime sour and also one which would serve as a great introduction to people new to sours. Well done Allagash.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 02:00:16 | More by Hugonaut13

Beerenauslese

California

4.56/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Lost Abbey Teku style glass.

Reddish brown color, topped by a nice sudsy head with excellent retention and lacing.

Smells complex, with notes of sour cherry fruit, vanilla, wood spice, and some caramel sweetness.

Tastes of mildly tart cherries, hint of lemon and plum, but also sweet with some caramelized sugar. There is quite a bit of oak presence and a mildly tannic finish.

Body is medium with a silky, creamy mouthfeel. Very smooth.

This is an interesting, complex sour in the Flanders red ale style. The alcohol is noticeable at around 9%.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 03:19:11 | More by Beerenauslese

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.49/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

375ml bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a clear, deep crimson-brown body under an inch of dense off-white foam that recedes slowly but only leaves light, spotty lace. Attractive.

S: Very attractive. Prickly tartness, cherry skin, green apple, underripe plum, and peppery spice. Light vanilla and peach. Excellent.

T: Sweeter than the nose, but still more tart than sweet: vanilla, caramel apple, tart cherry, spicy alcohol, and lactic tartness. Some dry, tannic oak on the finish, with more tropical fruits filling in on the aftertaste. Really complex, decadent, dessert-like flavors. Delicious.

M: Soft, creamy medium body. Great.

O: Wonderful American Wild. The interplay of malt sweetness, fruity sourness, and vanilla-tinged oak was really top-notch. I'll take the sharper funkiness of a Coolship brew over this one's more mellow character any day, but this is a world class sour in its own right.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:14:29 | More by woosterbill

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.63/5  rDev -16%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanx Myrik:

Bottled 12/21/2012:

Into a chalice:

A: brown body with a one finger white head that dies within less than thirty seconds, minimal lacing

S: sour yeasty cherry-ness, slightly tart

T: sour, tart and slightly bitter, dry tart cherry aftertaste, slightly sweet finish

M: light, sessionable, ABV slightly felt, carbonation seems on par

O: though not a super fan of Allagash, I`m glad I tried it, I say good for style and though still learning about the style, its good as the tart yet yeasty qualities come out as all the sour fans just love, but still have to admit probably wouldn't come back to this

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 00:12:20 | More by kangarooAdam59

wyatt13

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

MegDuf32 very generously gave me this bottle a couple weeks ago. Bottled on date of 11/29/2012. Poured from a 375 ml bottle into a tulip glass.

A – Pours the color of Autumn leaves, like a deep ruby red/orange/brown mélange. I poured the bottle pretty carefully, but a good amount of dark sediment still collected in the bottom of the glass. A thin off-white head was contrasted nicely with abundant carbonation. Lots of stringy lace all over the glass.

S – A nice tart sourness immediately hits the nostrils. Some nice funk is all mixed up with the oak and vanilla character of the barrel. There is something in here that definitely reminds me of a light red wine.

T – Wow, very complex. A prominent tart cherry note is met with a deep oak character. A bit of vanilla and caramel are also present in the mid-palate. The finish is all sourness, with a nice lingering vinegary aftertaste.

M - Great amount of carbonation, with a nice creamy mouthfeel. A bit drying on the mouth that encourages quick drinking.

O – I really enjoyed this complex brew. This is the first beer of this type that I have tried from Allagash, but it certainly has me interested in trying as many as I can. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:53:38 | More by wyatt13

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.41/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 10/28/2012; Consumed 4/30/2013

A: Pours a murky brown color with nearly no head. Expected

S: Lots of funky sour notes with a hint of barnyard and plenty of lactic presence. Fruitiness and a hint of oak also come through

T: Very complex. Starts off with a bit of lactic acidity and sourness, along with fruitiness and a long oak presence. Finishes lightly sweet with some barnyard notes. Alcohol hardly noticeable

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly harsh from the acidity

O: Great American wild from Allagash. Not overwhelmingly sour or funky, but the brett and lacto work extremely well together to create a great balance of funk/sour and barnyard. Not overwhelmingly pricey for an American wild either, especially by Allagash standards. Get some if you still can!

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:09:04 | More by BEERMILER12

alaimoa

Connecticut

2.2/5  rDev -49.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.75

Strange that the reviews are so high for this one... Unsure if I am unfair and my palate just doesn't like these types of wilds but I found the smell to be a turnoff, the taste to be horrible with super sour fruitiness and after taste awful. I wanted to really like it being originally from Maine and normally loving Allagash but I couldn't. Couldn't even drink it but luckily was with a buddy who enjoyed in. Would not buy again

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 20:07:50 | More by alaimoa

teromous

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Slightly hazy but mostly transparent dark tea-colored body. A short white head fades down to a sliver. Patchwork of lacing.

S: Sour smelling grapes, tree bark, a little bit of alcohol comes through, and a funky musky scent.

T: It starts out with a sour tart flavor that has a bit of cherry and grape-like flavors. It fades out quickly and there is an earthy quality that starts to take over. It seems like I get a bit of hop flavor in there as well. At the end it has a bit of smoky or charcoal quality that is very faint. Some caramel sweetness in the end that counterbalances the sourness. Some musky flavor at the end.

M: The mouthfeel starts off with a puckering sensation, but it trails off very quickly to a mellow presence. It's very pleasant to drink because it doesn't stay tart through the whole sip. It is lightly carbonated, and has a medium mouthfeel.

O: Overall I really enjoyed this beer. I would recommend it and would buy it again. I think that everything I have to say was said before. I really don't have any negatives for the beer. It is a very impressive beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 02:55:16 | More by teromous

wethorseblanket

California

4.24/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing last weekend. 375ml corked and caged.

A: Pours a hazy light orangish-copper with a thin white head which fades quickly to the rim leaving just a few spots.

N: Tannic and basalmic sting with vinous and cherry fruit notes.

T: Prickly sour and tart with some funk and tannins and a mixture of fruits including grapes and cherries.

M: Medium body and light carbonation. Oaky and tart finish.

O: Would like to have more. Enjoyed the barrel aging here.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 03:27:05 | More by wethorseblanket

oline73

Maryland

4.16/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a goblet.

The beer pours a cloudy dark reddish amber color with a finger of fluffy off white head. The head sticks around quite nicely. The smell is quite sour and funky with a nice fruity sweet note to it. The taste isn't as intensely sour as I expected from the smell. I'm getting an herbal funk along with a mild oaky note. The taste has a touch of herbal sweetness to it along with a very tart finish. The carbonation is very smooth with small bubbles. The finish isn't as dry as I thought it would be.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 00:49:09 | More by oline73

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.36/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 375ml corked and caged bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a ruddy golden brown color. There is a small, light tan head which fades quickly to a ring of foam. Very light lacing.

S: A lemony tart vinegar aroma is the first thing I pick up, followed by some barnyard funk. Wet hay and cotton round out the smell.

T: Less tart than the aroma. The focus is instead on the funky flavors. Horse blanket and wet hay are prominent. A little bit of apple vinegar and lemon-citrus provides a tart counterpoint to the funk. Light notes of cider lend a sweetness to the beer. The finish is medium-length and dry.

M: Fairly dry, especially in the finish which is reminiscent of champagne. Carbonation is both sharp and foamy.

O: A fantastic beer. More funky than tart, but a good amount of both.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:05:28 | More by WankelEngine

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

3.99/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Bottle shared, thanks to Al at CT wine and liquors in DC for hooking me up with this.

A nice ruby red and orange body with some darker edges, this beer has a decent ring of white head and some lacing on the sides of the glass.

The aroma has some nice notes of vinegar, slight oak character, wild yeast, and some ripened darker skinned fruits and berries, nice.

The taste has some nice character and body to it, some very tart notes up front and also lingering in the finish, but it is slightly nail polishy in some ways too without a big fruit or malt presence behind the sour and oak. Not the most thick beer either, and without those fruit or malt notes it is more noticeable for me.

Overall, a nice beer, not great though compared to many others.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 22:11:59 | More by Dreadnaught33