Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale - Boulevard Brewing Co.

jmbranum

Oklahoma

4.53/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Very enjoyable beer. Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Boulevard chalice (sold as a variety 4-pack including the glass)

Pours a deep gold liquid with a white head. Slight haze which is a good sign.

Aroma is fresh with some hops and spices.

Flavor is complex. Fairly dry. A little bit of lingering tartness and medium levels of hop bitterness. A little bit of citrus fruit and maybe a little bit of Jewish rye bread.

Very nice and smooth mouthfeel. Perfect level of carbonation to keep the flavor dancing on the tongue.

Final pour is nice with lots of yeast in the bottle. I pour the yeast in the glass because I think it makes the last drink better. Lots of breadyness.

Overall, I like this beer a lot. I need to drink Boulevard more often.

Grading this beer was hard. This is a very competitive style. This beer was is just shy of being world-class. (compared to other Farmhouse ales).

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 17:31:53 | More by jmbranum

mdcrouser

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Originally, I enjoyed this on tap this past summer at Jack's Stack, a local BBQ place here in KC - loved it then, so I'm really looking forward to it now.

I visited three different stores to find this one on release day, but I've got something to celebrate - more on that (much) later.

Wow that's a heady beer - I'm writing this to give my initial smooth pour a chance to die down. Two-and-a-half fingers worth of fluffy white head, anyway. After it finally died down, it left behind a thick lace - more like drapes, blocking the view from the outside.

What lies underneath is a beautiful golden yellow, sending small bubbles of carbonation skyward.

Earthy, with a grand dose of funk on the nose, underscored by a bit of lemon and some of that horse-blanket that's usually found in these funky beers. Really pleasant.

Similar to their other saisons as it has a light bit of florals and maybe some fruit. In contrast, you definitely pick up the hops here - added bitterness and a bit spicy in the mouth.

A really mild and smooth funk in the mouth - that's pretty awesome. Seldom have I had a beer that was so subtle in delivering such flavors.

I'm trying not to be a "homer" here, but I love this beer. A unique and enjoyable beer - it's nice to get truly excited about drinking a beer. Thanks BLVD for having a "persnickity" fermenter.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2009 03:07:16 | More by mdcrouser

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this brew as an extra in a trade with tytoanderso, Thanks Tyler!

750ml bottle served in a tulip glass.

Slightly hazed golden yellow color with a big fluffy white head that hung around and left quite a few globs of lacing behind.
The aroma is hoppy at first with yeast and white grape juice aromas in the background.
The taste is also fairly hoppy upfront, citrus hops, lemon juice, pear, white grape and green apple with a dry bitterness on the finish.
Light/Medium bodied with lively carbonation and a crisp feel.
Easy to drink, watch out for the abv as it will sneak up on you in a hurry.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 21:11:23 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

In a day loaded down and filled with new beers, this one really stood out amongst the crown for me. For the style this was a A+ for sure.

Great pour, nice golden amber color with a huge, towering head of white that refused to part ways no matter what you did. Really just superb looking with tons of lacing down the sides of the glass and a rich and proper looking appearence. Nice elements of light clove, peach, hints of grain and fresh grasses and a nice little spicey punch to it. Warming brings out the wonderful light tart notes through the air that carry over so well into the flavor. Not over done at all, in fact it seemed to fit perfectly as the mellow sourness played off of the rich grainy and frsh flavor. Smooth, subtle and soft, this just worked on every level it possibly could have.

One of the best, most easily drinkable and most sublte, soft, and most intresting beers I tried this weekend. Would love to have this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2010 14:30:27 | More by mikesgroove

GbVDave

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a corked and caged 750ml bottle into multiple glasses. Thanks to homebrewhawk for this (and the glass!) from our recent trade!

Batch Number 79338
Best By 12/10

A: Pours a hazy pale gold, with a massively soapy, three finger mountain of foam on top that (of course!) left tons of sticky lace in the glass. Carbonation is active.

S: Aromas of citrus, fresh cut grass, lavender, spices, and honey. Excellent!

T: Exactly as above. As it warms, I noticed much more of a honey flavor.

M: Smooth and pillowy. Sweet, dry, and crisp with a velcro-like stickiness that plasters itself all over the inside of my mouth.

D: Yet another fantastic Boulevard Smokestack beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2010 14:25:37 | More by GbVDave

glid02

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased from Central Market in San Antonio, TX. Batch 79338 according to the bottle.

Pours a hazy lemon-yellow color with a towering white head. Eventually the head settles into a thin layer on top leaving thick lacing.

Smells of light and sweet malts with large amounts of sticky citrus aromas and lighter amounts of musty and earthy aromas.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Flighty pale malt aromas kick things off. Soon afterward large amounts of slightly musty citrus flavors join into things - orange and grapefruit. Midway through the sip very light earthy hop aromas take over for a moment before ceding control back to the citrus flavors. The ending is mildly bitter and leaves mildly tart citrus flavors lingering on the tongue.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a smooth thickness with surprisingly grainy carbonation.

Drinkability is also very good. I finished my glass quickly (and the next one) and could drink this all night.

Overall I was very impressed with this beer, a different beast than the saison brett but just as good. Well worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2010 23:32:46 | More by glid02

Cresant

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served this 750 mL brown bottle into a Tripel Karmeliet glass. Batch 7-9303. Best by: 10/10. The body was lightly hazy but bright golden yellow with a slightly yellowed white head. The three fingers of head slowly eroded to a cap and stayed.

The smell was of dry powdery hops. Yeasty. Fruit. Classic farmhouse aroma. Later, as it warmed, the alcohol peeped out.

The taste was sharp fruitiness. Earthy spiciness. Peppercorns. Drying. Grapefruit pith bitterness is held in check by the yeasty character.

The mouthfeel was medium with a fine sparkling carbonation. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 03:00:49 | More by Cresant

jsh420

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz best by 07/29/11

pours bright golden yellow with chill haze and a big 2 finger head that left spotted lacing

smells of belgian yeast banana lemon and some grainy bready malt

taste like the nose - only thing that kept me from giving this a perfect 5 was it was a tad sweet

mouthfeel was light with lots of carbonation very refreshing

drinkability a great saison in 12oz bottles makes this my new must go to sasion

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 03:41:59 | More by jsh420

DearthVader

California

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Good man, Kyle, good man.. Thank you for this.

Bottle poured into my Klokke Roeland glass.

Pours a cloudy, murky yellowish orange, with a pearl white 2 finger head atop it. Can't see through at all and can catch carbonation bubbles slightly climbing the edges of the glass.

Smells of funky Belgian yeast, lemon zest, earth tones, lemon peel, sour oranges, and fresh cut grass. Delicious

Taste is upfront with the funk, flowing into a stringy citrus and hoppy (yes I said hoppy) taste.

Mouthfeel is creamy on some mouthfulls and stringy on others. Keeps you guessing. I like that.

This is one of my first experiences with a saison. It was very enjoyable and I'll definitely start trying more in this style. Thanks again kansascitytrader!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 06:14:17 | More by DearthVader

hutch312

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great aroma, smooth flavor with a touch of bitterness. Not what I was expecting from the smell, but pleasantly surprised. Not too sweet, but with the right amount of citrus. Does not leave the signature filminess in the mouth like most Belgian style wheat beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 00:45:40 | More by hutch312

MadScientist

New York

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: This beer pours a pale gold with excellent clarity. The long lasting white head settles to about a half a finger of compact bubbles leaving lacing on the glass.

s: Get your nose to the glass as soon as you pour, the aroma goes from almost a rock solid American IPA then transition in some of those saison fruit and spice aromas. That pretty well some up what I get here with citrus and piney American hops aromas with spicy, peppery and orange Belgian yeast aromas. The dominating hops and yeast aromas are well balance. There is also a soft alcohol aroma.

t: The moderately-high hops bitterness and spice dominate the flavor with moderate fruit flavors of orange and American hops. The hops are citrusy and piney while the spice is mostly pepper. There is a touch of that bubblegum brett flavor.

m: This is light and fluffy on the palate with a moderately-light body and high carbonation.

o: An awesome American interpretation of the Saison style. A World class beer!

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 00:16:50 | More by MadScientist

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

An uncharacteristically brief review, but I feel it's a must (my first beer from Boulevard). Bottle from March 2012.

Lighter and clearer than I expected with an exceptional head and lacing. Fruity fragrance with a barely yeasty funkiness associated the style and belgians in general. You know what I mean. The taste is excellent - definitely fruity and without an alcohol burn to speak of considering the ABV. It's on the dry side but not dryING - you'll want another sip.

Super impressed with this one and I'll order another. Beats a Dupont anyday.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 03:15:49 | More by NardiByNature

notchucknorris

California

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy glowing golden color with a monster of a cream colored head. Takes forever to subside and leaves some faint lacing.

S: The smell is far from overpowering, but it's pretty incredible. Earthy, peppery, floral and citrusy all at once. Faint candied mango, orange peel, barnyard funk and white pepper.

T: A bit of a peppery hop bite comes through first with some smooth light bready malt flavors carrying it. Grapefruit zest, a touch of grass, chalky yeast and a smooth finish with notes of lemon zest and pepper. A pretty remarkable saison and probably the best I've had short of Dupont and Fantome.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 22:51:14 | More by notchucknorris

Docrock

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a duPont Saison glass:

A- light golden in color, nice 1-1/2" head that lingers forever, well carbonated, with excellent lacing.

S - slightly hoppier than i expected but not at all unpleasant, slight funk from the "farmhouse" yeast.

T- the yeast hits you first, slight musky taste, followed by a bit of citrus. nice hop character, very drinkable with a dry finish.

M- carbonation is outstanding, highly drinkable.

O- this is a really strong beer for the style, while different than most Belgian's, this uniqueness is its strength.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 16:26:16 | More by Docrock

hitter114

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tank 7 poured into a stella chalice

A: cloudy yellow nice bubbles
S: saison
T: Belgain Pale ale
M: farmhouse ale

O: Tank 7 is blvd's flagship beer I would have to say. They are one of those breweries where every single one of their beers shares a common backbone, particularly due to the yeast which is in most of them. Tank 7 to me is their best wisely available beer. It is the definition of a saison to me, with mabey slightly a higher hop content. It drinks great. That being said it is nothing crazy creative or innovative but hitting a style so right on deserves just as high praise as one that pushes boundaries. This is a beer for sipping

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 18:11:58 | More by hitter114

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

There are beers that produce heads of whipped egg whites, and this is one of them. It's just gorgeous to look at, with those stiff peaks of froth.

And the smell! Clove and spice, LOTS of pear, and subtle tropical fruits. I could bury my nose in the glass. And I would, except for that massive head.

The intensity of flavor is unexpected. The aromas are complex, but they suggest subtlety. This beer is not subtle. The smell does not prepare you for the intensity of juicy goodness. Want an over-the-top farmhouse ale? Mekka lekka hi mekka hiney ho! Your wish is granted.

My only complaint is that it drinks a little flat from the bottle. On tap, where the carbonation can be manipulated, it can be an almost perfect beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 04:08:28 | More by DaveAnderson

MortarPestle

Indiana

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a cloudy light golden color with a tall fluffy head that has excellent retention and lacing.
Aroma: Citrusy, with grass, herbs and stone fruit.
Taste: Bread and honey with hops notes of grapefruit, apricot, and floral with hints of pepper.
Texture: Crisp with a dry finish, good carbonation.
Drinkability: The 8% ABV will sneak up on you if aren't careful, but pairs nicely with a grilled steak.
Presentation: Poured from a 12oz bottle in to a Tulip glass that came with the gift set.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 19:39:54 | More by MortarPestle

whynot44

Missouri

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful hazy gold color with a generous frothy white head that persists well and leaves some nice lacing to the end.

The aroma is spicy with hints of citrus, tropical fruits, bready grain, coriander, funk and yeast.

The taste is lemony citrus and corainder up front, a nice light malt background with a peppery overtone and a dry hops finish.

Really very nice. Medium bodied, plenty of carbonation but smooth and dangerously drinkable.

Overall, very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 00:19:09 | More by whynot44

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

BBD 12/10 Boy was this cork hard to get off! Opened with a respectable pop...

Pours semi-hazed apricot/amber with 4 fingers of cream colored head. Some floaties, but also a nice viscosity to this as well. Good head retention & lacing

S: Phenols, lemongrass & coriander, plus orchard fruit once warm

T: Lemons & grapefruit with with grassyness & white grape juice up front. More grassyness & phenols as this warms, plus more grapefruit signature, then pineapple & honey & just a hint of barnyard. Finishes crisp, hoppy with a bit apple peel & honey. Can't quite bring myself to give this a 5,0 since it strays off style a bit IMO, otherness this would be 5.0 as an American Saison hybrid

MF: Medium bodied & fairly spritzy. Dry out a bit as it warms, shows superb balance

Drinks too easy, ABV is completely masked, nice effort with decidedly American slant. Another killer Saison from Boulevard! I may even prefer this to the saison-brett... must revisit...

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 21:12:26 | More by russpowell

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a burnt hazy orange brown. Gigantic foamy head on this one. A island of murky froth forms on top and stays around. Lots of carbonation.

S - Wow! Beautiful aroma! Sour bananas, huge sour hay bouquet, funky barn yeast. Phenols come through as it warms. Classic Saison!! I could make a cologne out of this!

T - Different than the nose. Caramely hops up front then transforms into a tangy honey hay. Tart honey. The barn yard flavor comes through as it warms. This beer needs to set and warm for full flavor. Bold hops throughout, from top to bottom. The citrusy hops sticks to the side and back of the tongue.

Medium body for the style. Might be slightly watered down, but pretty close to the style. The complexity of this style breeds different characteristics. The nose on this one is nothing short of a masterpiece. Although I love the hops on the palette, it seems to distinguish other flavors that are begging to come through. Boulevard is really making quality beers. I tend to disregard Boulevard, but they are really going out on a limb and making quality beers. I tip my hat to this one. If you're a Farmhouse person this beer is a treat, especially on the nose.
.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 02:01:09 | More by StaveHooks

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a hazy golden-orange color. The head is a massive four inches in height, and recedes excruciatingly slow into a large cap of rocky, sticky lacing that lasts longer than the beer does. the aroma is of oranges, hay, pale malt, lemon, and a hint of spice. This is a very bright aroma, and is very inviting. The taste is more yeasty than the aroma. There is some good barnyard funk though out with nice hay, horse blanket, and mustiness. There is a hint of orange and lemon in the finish, but there aren't as strong as they are in the aroma. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with vibrant carbonation, and a smooth texture. Overall, this is a very good beer that I will surely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2010 15:31:54 | More by KarlHungus

Mississipping

Mississippi

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml corked and caged bottle poured into a 2nd rev. Smokestack Series glass

A: Pours a hazy light yellow hay color with a large two-finger off-white head that slowly, slowly settles to a floating patchwork of sticky bubbles and nice lacing.

S: Incredible smell. Earthy/funky overtones with fresh citrus (definitely grapefruit) and nice herbal hops. One of the best smelling farmhouse ales that I've sniffed to date.

T: Delicious. Sweet and yeasty with a citrusy and hoppy bite, none of which over power the others. Incredibly balanced with a nice peppery/spicy finish. This is a really, really good one!

M: Medium-bodied with ample carbonation that makes it seem to dance around in the mouth. Not overly dry, and has a complementary sweet/spicy finish that lingers forever.

D: This is extremely drinkable. Balanced very well, extremely smooth, and absolutely delicious. The masking of alcohol aids to its drinkability, which makes this one of my favorite saisons, and one that I trade for on a regular basis.

Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 22:17:27 | More by Mississipping

jar2574

Missouri

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a chimay-style oversized wine glass. Pours a very cloudy yellow orange color with a large bubbly white head. Looks great initially, could use better lacing on the way down.

Smells great - spicy, grassy, yeasty and a little fruity. Tastes excellent as well. A very good saison - Belgian yeast, hops, spices, grassiness and slight bitterness.

Extremely drinkable. A good session beer. Even at that high ABV, the alcohol is completely disguised. One of Boulevard's best offerings.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 00:40:44 | More by jar2574

brentk56

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Arrives with a clear golden colored liquid covered by an inch or so of foam; although the head wasn't impressive for the style, the lacing action was decent

Smell: A range of interesting aromatics - grassy and lemony from the hops, biscuity from the malt and peppery from the yeast

Taste: The malt stays in the background, with a subtle hint of sweetness at the outset; quickly, the peppery, herbal flavors arrive to dominate the profile, though by mid-palate, the beer takes on a lemony/grassy character; after the swallow, the malts re-emerge to provide a bit of honey character but the finish is dominated by the lemony/peppery elements

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with crisp carbonation

Overall: A wonderful blend of flavor elements combine to make this an excellent example of the style; a bit hoppier than most Belgians but still a cut above most of the domestic examples of the style I have tasted

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2011 18:08:14 | More by brentk56

paperbackfoster

Missouri

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - A straw colored pour with a generous two-finger head and high body carbonation. Cloudy, but not necessarily hazy.

S - Lemongrass sits at the forefront of a nose otherwise populated by citrus, yeast, and light caramel malts.

T - Citrus, spice, and everything nice. A great powerhouse of wheat and fresh grassy flavors, it also draws in elements from the Belgian wit in terms of yeast and spice. Orange rind, coriander, and an almost curry-like flavor ride in with the bittering hops. The malt notes are crisp with a tiny hint of rye.

M - High carbonation, very refreshing, not a single clue as to the higher ABV. Nearly fizzy on the tongue, dry finish.

O - A solid take on the saison, true to style but very unique on its own. The complex palette is sure to please those that aren’t normally into farmhouse ales. This beer is a great introduction into Boulevard’s Smokestack series.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 01:43:17 | More by paperbackfoster