Sorachi Ace
Brooklyn Brewery

Sorachi AceSorachi Ace
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From:
Brooklyn Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Saison
Ranked #287
ABV:
7.2%
Score:
91
Ranked #6,936
Avg:
4.08 | pDev: 11.03%
Reviews:
757
Ratings:
2,978
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 16, 2023
Added:
Jul 29, 2009
Wants:
  262
Gots:
  801
This is a saison featuring the rare Japanese-developed hop Sorachi Ace. The Sorachi Ace hop varietal is noted for its unique lemon zest/lemongrass aroma.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by biegaman:
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace comes in a fairly grand bottle and, sure enough, has the swanky appearance to match: resplendent golden in colour, with vivacious bubbles and an ultra-plush head, this looks like it costs twice what it actually does (and it's certainly not cheap!) Pour in the last couple ounces, however, and it looks like a glass of oatmeal.

Corked and caged and re-fermented in the bottle like Champagne, Sorachi Ace also has a bouquet that lightly mimics and definitely rivals the vintage bubbly of a good house. Use of the same yeast has resulted in a hint of wet earth, strong breadiness and the usual orchard fruit notes, though hops have imparted plenty of bright citrus and green herb qualities.

Sorachi Ace has a character that is in many ways reminiscent of a Chardonnay left on lees. There are remarkably similar lemon and apple flavours and it has the full, creamy texture to boot. Seriously, I'd guess this was barrel-aged if I didn't know any better - there's even hints of vanilla and cedar that accompany citrus peel in the finish.

It's impressive that the beer can feel so rich in spite of such ultra-zippy, high-octane carbonation. Champagne bubbles tend to make for a lighter, sharper mouthfeel - which this largely does have - but there's still plenty of weight to this sucker. The hops also provide some uniquely savory notes in the form of dill and lemon verbena.

Sorachi Ace is exactly the kind of distinctive, high-quality offering you'd expect from a producer with the illustrious reputation of Brooklyn Brewery. It delivers good value and rolls tasty malts and exceptionally vibrant hoppiness into a very unique drinking experience. Nevermind trying to box this into 'Saison' or 'Belgian IPA' categories - this is it's own beer. And it's definitely worth grabbing.
Apr 18, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.36/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
An explosion of aromas and flavors. Vibrant neon golden color, some lazy carbonation, wispy head. Spicy, floral nose, coriander. Taste is more of the same, adding some grass and mild hop bitterness. Lingering mild bitter dryness, and lots of spicy tang. Sensory overload.
Feb 16, 2023
 
Rated: 3.39 by Mikexw from New York

Sep 08, 2022
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
April 2012. 750 ml corked bottle, at a tasting with Garrett Oliver. ABV is 7.6%. Hazy deep golden colour, large white head. Excellent spicy aroma, notes of sandalwood and lemongrass. Spicy flavour, complex and fairly dry. Very good. Hopefully this beer will be imported to Norway by Ringnes now, and released for a limited period.

*Sampled on numerous occasions later.
May 15, 2022
 
Rated: 4.83 by cold_beer

May 06, 2022
 
Rated: 4.18 by Jarrod_LC from Louisiana

Apr 30, 2021
 
Rated: 3 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Jul 16, 2020
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

4.16/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This was my first introduction to the Sorachi hop, many years ago. I’m glad to see it’s still around.
Pours a slightly hazy gold. Nice, lemony-citrus note with some Belgo-funk on the aroma. This is spicy, and crisply effervescent.
Jul 02, 2020
 
Rated: 3.61 by theskinnyferret from Colorado

Mar 15, 2020
 
Rated: 4.38 by delmarkchicago from Illinois

Mar 04, 2020
 
Rated: 4.02 by jjboesen from Maryland

Feb 04, 2020
Photo of gvickery
Reviewed by gvickery from Texas

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
50-55 degrees in a standard pint glass.
Orangish yelllow, slightly cloudy.
Smells of lemon, caramel, some slight barnyard funk.
Taste is initially sweet, fruity, some lemon, very light yeasty funk. Very complex with a “high pitched” bitterness that kicks in right after the sweetness fades. Very interesting flavors. Abv will be evident after about 6 oz.
Great beer.
Feb 02, 2020
 
Rated: 3.99 by TonyStarks2231 from New York

Jan 12, 2020
 
Rated: 3.4 by Leftover1223 from New Hampshire

Dec 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.95 by Silke_Neryn from Sweden

Dec 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Dec 01, 2019
 
Rated: 3.95 by sisterofba from Maryland

Nov 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.05 by Eman17 from Illinois

Oct 17, 2019
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Reviewed by deleted_user_995920

4.02/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a Libbey Belgian beer glass. Looks semi opaque lemon/light golden color. Decent fizzy head which sticks around a while. Smell is markedly lemon, wet wool. Taste is lemony with some minor funk coming into play.Feels well carbonated, finishes dry. Leaves symmetrical lacing in glass. This is a good beer to shrug off the sweet October offerings e.g. Pumpkin, Marzen. Overall this is a very tasty worthwhile Saison.
Oct 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.41 by gooddaydiablo from Texas

Sep 14, 2019
Sorachi Ace from Brooklyn Brewery
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 2978 ratings