Brooklyn Sorachi Ace - Brooklyn Brewery

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a nice pale and clear golden color. The head is white and rises quite readily. A little bit of lacing around the glass but not much.

Smell: A beautiful lemongrass smell with hints of yeast. The hops certainly dominate the palate quite a bit. I also get a slight citrusy taste in addition to the lemon.

Taste: A strong lemon taste with yeasty undertones.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation with a smooth feel.

Overall: I really enjoyed this beer and I liked the Sorachi Ace hops that were used. I really enjoyed drinking a Farmhouse ale in winter.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 01:56:53 | More by HattedClassic

jefe2

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance - hazy pale straw with fairly quickly dissolving white flat foamy head
Smell - lemon zest and spicy yeast and a little sweet like lemon chess, and a bit of powdery grain smell.
Taste - follows smell, but dry and with some metallic iron flavor just after the dry fore taste. There is a distinctive somewhat rubbery biscuity malt flavor in the middle that is probably from the yeast strain and the uncommon hop (Sorachi Ace). Dry airy finish. After taste is nice, little bit of powdery graininess and little bit of hop spice and tangy malt, but the flavors fade out evenly, without one dominating unpleasantly.
mouthfeel: light and airy, nice
drinkability - very drinkable, light but interesting with a lots of subtlety in underlying flavors.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 05:40:29 | More by jefe2

nickfl

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with one and a half fingers of snow-white lace that rests on top of a slightly hazy straw yellow body. The foam settles slowly and leaves nice, thick lace.

S - A lightly citrusy hop aroma with some musty yeast character. Pepper, basil and (I'm shocked, but it lives up to the description) lemongrass.

T - Tart wheat and musty hops up front with some spicy yeast character. The hops bloom in the middle with notes of coriander, basil, and lemongrass. It finishes with more citrus and just a hint of green, american-pine hops before it closes on a note of lemony hops and pineapple yeast.

M - Medium body, high carbonation, and a fairly dry finish.

D - This beer is really something special. The hop character is extraordinary, the lemongrass and basil notes are like nothing that I have ever had before and it was an inspired choice to use them in a saison. The spicy yeast and creamy wheat character frame these unusual hops perfectly and seem to meld with the herbal, citrus character of the sorachi ace hops to produce a very coherent, well balanced beer. There is a really remarkable lemongrass aroma and flavor that, along with notes of coriander and basil reminds me vividly of Thai cooking. This is a spectacular beer, both for the way that it showcases this new hop variety and simply as a refreshing, spicy, and very drinkable saison.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 05:40:19 | More by nickfl

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle into a Duvel tulip

A- pours a dark shade of yellow, with a gorgeous, very puffy, four finger white head. The head sticks around for awhile and leaves some OK lacing. Beautiful looking beer

S- strong aroma of lemongrass, and it is an absolutely luscious, inviting scent...makes me think of the summer

T- very light and crisp, the backbone is lemony, but it's not overly tart or too sweet. Perfect combination of flavors

M- it's actually not very thick at all, nice thin body

O- fantastic beer, especially on a warm day like today. I wish it was cheaper and popped up more often. Hey Brooklyn, get on that!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 18:58:29 | More by bigfnjoe

SFC21

New York

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a hazy, golden straw color with a huge 3 inch head that dissipates somewhat quickly down to about 1/2 inch.

S - wow, smelled amazing from the second I popped the bottle. The lemon zest combined with the floral aroma of the Sorachi Ace hops is heavenly.

T - Follows the nose. Lemon zest, some orange citrus, floral from the hops, finishes a little peppery. Delicious and refreshing.

M - light and airy with lots of carbonation. Again, very refreshing, great for a hot summer day.

O - While a bit pricey this was well worth it. An excellent take on the style that I enjoyed immensely.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 01:36:44 | More by SFC21

martincm

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, this glass is disappearing fast. It is a very smooth brew and looks beautiful in the glass with that intermittent lacing. It is lacking in saison-tartness, but makes up for it in an interesting sweetness. Maybe just a touch more of hops would put it out of the park.

Overall: Buy it.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 01:25:00 | More by martincm

Brad007

Vermont

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a nice blond color with a thick, frothy head that needs about two minutes to recede. Good presentation here. Reminds me of an authentic saison that no matter how you pour it, it's going to require some patience.

Aroma is pungent with a very strong whiff of lemon zest followed by spice from the yeast, which is very ginger-like in nature.

Taste is pretty much similar to lemongrass, not too sweet, not too spicy. Slightly dry and chewy with a good amount of breadiness to it.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering lemongrass/lemon zest and spicy yeast. Very light mouthfeel. They got the carbonation right on this.

I like it. Well worth the price. I would much prefer to have it on tap as I'm curious as to how the flavors will taste fresh. Regardless, if you enjoy Brooklyn's offerings, this is another can't-miss.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2010 04:29:04 | More by Brad007

unclejimbay

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
...in 2 words? Absolutely outstanding!
Hats off to Mr Oliver indeed.

Light pale golden color. Cloudy milky lemonade haze. Fluffy white pillowtop head. Nice lace.
Smells of spicy hoppy lemons marinated in a saison slurry.
Tastes as it smells on a spicy yet smooth creamy saison body.
Light cream body. Dry. High carbonation. Unique twist on a Saison. Nice.
Right on!

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2010 19:53:25 | More by unclejimbay

CASK1

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A- Medium gold and slightly hazy. Huge, beautiful, frothy light head that lasts to the bottom of the glass.

S- Lemony, with a strong yeast spiciness that builds as the beer warms. Clove and pepper, with a light vanilla note. Subtle grainy aroma in the background.

T- Complex yeast spiciness mixed with light grainy sweetness. Medium hop bitterness, with a lemony, zesty character. Makes me want to keep going back for another taste.

M- Light and dry, with a long, bitter, hoppy finish. High carbonation gives a mouth-filling blast of flavors.

O- One of my new favorite Saisons, a style near the top of my list. Excellent balance of what makes a Saison a Saison.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2010 01:02:46 | More by CASK1

danmouer

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As I have often noted, Saisons are my favorite style, but I find most American saisons too far off the mark. Brooklyn brewing's Sorachi Ace, named for the hop that is prominent in the flavor and aroma profile of this beer, is a welcome exception. Okay, a big initial hit of lemongrass hops is not "normal" for a Saison. That said, Brooklyn's S-A hits the mark in spirit, for sure.

Sorachi Ace (tasted from a cork-finished 750) pours beautifully light and gently hazy, pushing up a solid inch and a half of light foam that lingers for a while. with that foam comes a generous nose full of lemon curd, herbs, fresh-mown grass--all delicate but definite. Not in-your-face, but certainly up your nose!

The flavor is light, sweet-pilsen-malt backed by a modestly bitter spine that is fresh and refreshing. Body is light to medium. The mouth fills with soft, meringue-like volume that eases off to a semi-dry, very clean finish. A nice touch of yeast spiciness is there throughout the tasting, making the sweet malt and the tangy fruit blend wonderfully.

This is really a very beautiful beer. Drinkable, reasonably alcoholic, delicious, refreshing, and truly unique. Perhaps not spot-on so far as BJCP guidelines go, but certainly true to the spirit of a thirst-quenching, nourishing, complex and very drinkable saison.

Well done, Brooklyn!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 23:19:36 | More by danmouer

omokoro

New York

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Brooklyn Brewery pint glass. The color was a golden straw with a thick white one finger head. Not much visible carbonation. Not much on the nose, some malts and a little hops. This is a very clean tasting beer, lots of lemon peel, pear, very crisp. I do not have a lot of experience with the saison style, but this is excellent. I would look for this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 23:51:23 | More by omokoro

m1ked

California

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Lucky me, this is the 3rd time I've had the opportunity at this beer. I want to get as much of this as I can before it slips through summers fingers.

A- Pours a bright clear golden color with a bunch of medium bubbles clinging all over the pint glass. A good 1 inch bright white foamy head which quickly transforms into a white ring. Looks refreshing.

S- It smells just like the Stone-Mikkeler- Alesmith collaboration to me. Light belgian sugary, touch of citrus, hint of butter, herbal notes, and a twinge of alcohol.

T- Those herbal notes come out like gang busters, and quickly reinforced with the lemony zest. That zestiness remains and coats the tongue. That zest has a bitter grapefruit hint at the end. Starts herbal, but clearly the lemon/citrus owns this palate.

M- Mild bodied with mild crisp carbonation, does not finish as dry as I would have liked, but overall good.

D- MMM-mmm is all I have to say. This is a great beer that will define this summers beer for me. This is a tasty, refreshing brew that I will continue to seek out as much as possible. I will say that Farmhouse is a loose style, I would never have guessed this to be one.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2009 00:33:12 | More by m1ked

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Great saison with a marked lemony sense, and a nice malty and lightly woody finish.

Presentation: 750 ml corked brown bottle. Detailed and sophisticated label design bordering on a tacky stereotype of an ace of diamonds with the Brooklyn logo at center. The back label follows through with the pattern of a deck of cards, including a narrative with style, main intent, ingredients, brewing process, and food pairings. The design is not something that I like in particular but it works fairly well, and as it is often the case with these Brooklyn big bottles the presentation is something worth carrying around. Lacks freshness or bottling date. Shows Alc. by Vol. (7.6%) Served in a tulip glass.

A - Straw to pale gold hazy pour, with a towering frothy head, nice retention, surface memory and lacing. Quite the looker.

S - Lemony aromas, citrus and floral notes in a fresh range.The nose is rather nice, but with a step short of complexity or length to take it to a next level. However it is very nicely rounded and overall complements the brew very well. Touches of spice, pepper, and yeast faintly linger in the background.

T - Rich lemon sense, grassy touches hold the citrus up over a softy woody note.... The woody sense is unusual and might be woven around the hops but it works beautifully and complements the overall taste and body with great competence.

M - Medium-light body with a lingering fullness around that woody sense and a perfectly tuned fined carbonation leading to a dry finish.

D - Extraordinary. If one is attracted by the lemony hoppy sense and the unusual intricacies of this brew, this is quite the experience. At points it may lack a lot of nuances, but overall is so nicely rounded that it shows an outstanding character.

Notes: First encounter with the Sorachi Hops, I think, although this particular sense of flavor is something that I feel I have encountered before but I can not put the finger to it... Great craft from Brooklyn in any case. Outstanding Saison that I would love to see coming back at least as a yearly seasonal offering.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 02:43:17 | More by Daniellobo

Zodijackyl

Connecticut

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Cloudy light golden yellow, fine silky head. Aroma is fruity with raisins and mild citrus hops, spices mixed with a very light wood smell.

Very smooth mouth feel, light carbonation and balanced taste. Citrus hops balanced with dried fruits and spices and a very smooth, buttery grain/malt taste. Hop flavor is a unique, slightly woody flavor with a citrusy/lemon zest tang. Mild hoppy aftertaste with a light astringent finish - much of the flavor of the beer is prevalent in the aftertaste.

The unusual hop flavor is the highlight of the beer, balanced with malt while allowing the hops to be the primary taste. Long-lasting and exceptional aftertaste, with a lot of taste between sips of beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2010 00:42:33 | More by Zodijackyl

Dawkfan

Alberta (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Lots and I mean lots of carbonation pushing up onto a huge fluffy bright white head that is quite active as well. Lots of large bubbles forming on the head long after the pour. The carbonation is really holding that head up nicely, drops a good amount of soft lace all over my tulip glass. The color is a slightly hazed pale yellow. Doesn't get much better than this.

S- Very strong lemon presence, which I assume is from the Sorachi Ace hop. Pale grains, white pepper, Belgian yeast and an aroma I can only describe as wet wood. Huge, huge, huge, nose!

T- Lots of Lemon Zest in the taste as well, there's a hint of citrus at the beginning. Pepper spiciness, phenols, and a herbal/leafy hopiness round this out. Big aftertaste that sits on the palate.

M- Crisp, clean, fresh, lighter bodied. Medium carbonation that tingles the throat as it goes down.

O- Tried to save some for the fish I was cooking for dinner, nada! I gotta try and get more of this stuff before it's all gone. Seemed fitting that spring had finally arrived because this is exactly what drinking this reminds me of.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 23:16:39 | More by Dawkfan

madvermin

California

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to makdeco for including this as an extra in our trade a while ago.

Pours a hazy straw yellow with a billowing more-than-half-the-tulip pure white foamy head. Head is very light and fluffy, retains really well, but is impossible to control. Swirling the beer results in the liquid moving a little bit, but the top of the head not really moving at all - it is firmly anchored to the glass. Really static looking beer, and the color combined with the head make it a nice looking beer.

A touch of yeast, some mellow lemon citrus, and a perfume-like floral aroma make this a soft, but effective, nose. Perfume aspect is kind of tough to describe; it smells exactly like the perfume my mom used to wear when I was kid and I would complain that she was stinking up the car. It's a nice scent in moderation though, and that's the way it is in this beer. Grassy lemon is sweet and simple. Very well done.

Citrus kick at the start is soothing, and moves effortlessly into a brief hop bitterness and mellow yeasty middle. Perfect blend of flavors. The finish isn't bone dry, but it is on the dry side which is nice. I wish all the flavors were a bit stronger, but the balance and melding of flavors is spectacular anyways.

Mouthfeel is a strength for this beer, as it is incredibly light, a touch prickly, but smooth and crisp the whole way through. Dry finish is the cherry on top. Drinkability benefits from the incredible balance and mouthfeel and the perfect hiding of the abv; I'm having trouble making this 750ml bottle last even an hour. I enjoyed this beer immensely - thanks again makdeco.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 09:56:32 | More by madvermin

superspak

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

750 ml bottle into signature tulip glass, bottled 7/12/2012. Pours slightly hazy golden straw color with a nice 2-3 finger fluffy white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big lemon, pear, pineapple, clove, orange zest, pepper, herbal, earth, grass, floral, and yeast spiciness. Fantastic aromas with great balance and complexity. Taste of big lemon, pear, pepper, pineapple, apple, orange zest, clove, herbal, grass, earth, floral, and yeast spices. Light earthy bitterness on the finish with light tartness; with lingering notes of light fruits, lemon, pepper, clove, herbal, floral, grass, earth, and yeast spices on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance and complexity of flavors; great spiciness/malt balance; zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium body; with a lightly slick and very crisp and prickly mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a world class saison! Fantastic balance and complexity of flavors; insanely smooth and crisp to sip on. A truly incredible experience when it is quite fresh.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 04:34:23 | More by superspak

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First beer of evening...I have a whole big beautiful bottle to myself...stamp #2342. Pours a beautiful hazy wheat gold with continuous small white head. A few dark floating particulates at the bottom add intrigue. Aroma of lovely fields of grain and bread. Taste of a good saison, not too spicy or citrusy, but components of lemon, orange zest, black pepper, grains of paradise, chives, lemongrass, sourdough bread, modest hops & slight finish of funk! Overall very tasty ans satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:57:57 | More by DenverLogan

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a pale golden slighty hazed hue with a bright white head, appears almost pils like with very nice intricate lacing as the head settles. Aroma was spicy with a funky welcoming yeast edge with a very nice citric and tropical hoppiness about it with a touch of coriander or other spice addition possibly? Flavor has more of the spicy citrus and herbal hop blend from this rare varietal of hop, a nice zesty edge to the whole experience sweetness is balanced with some dry yeast flavors in the finish. Mouthfeel is light bodied very sessionable brew comes off quite nice and definitely intrigues the senses with each sniff and sip. A complex satisfying drinking experience that was very unique and it reeled me in, I hope this makes it's way back to the beer drinkers.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2009 05:05:37 | More by WVbeergeek

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Ebenezer's on 2/27/10. Served in a challice.

A - Cloudy golden orange-colored body with a one-finger rocky alabaster crown reminiscent of a bowl of rice pudding that settled into a wall of carbonation bubbles and thick swatches of lace.

S - Aroma reeks of tropical fruit, especially mango and pineapple, and works really well with the saison yeast to provide a hint of earthiness with spicy notes, especially white pepper and other herbs. A sweet malt character persists throughout. Citrus peel also emerges in the backend, which offers a compelling hop profile for a brew utilizing a single hop variety.

T - Brooklyn successfully combines a citrusy IPA with a farmhouse-style saison. The subtle funk and musty character of the saison works quite nicely with the spiciness of the yeast. Pepper, light herbs and citrus peel all work together effortlessly to create a sweet, fruity and funky brew.

M - Medium bodied with a creamy, frothy texture and soft carbonation. Light bitterness on the palate with a slight musty earthy character and sour notes on the tongue. Despite all of this, the finish is pretty sweet overall.

D - Very complex and unique single hopped ale with quite a pungent nose to boot. I enjoyed this one immensely and I found this particular hop to work exceptionally well with the saison qualities.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2010 03:26:06 | More by ffejherb

wstein70

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got a bottle of this to trade with Icharus and I decided to get one for myself to try out since I haven't had it and I am a fan of saisons. I have to say this is a very good beer and the A- BA rating is well deserved.

A: Poured out a golden color with a nice foamy head that will stick around a while.

S: A pleasant cirtusy smell. Also IPA type hoppy smell.

T: Here is the great part about this beer. To me it is a cross between a IPA and a saison. You have the intense hoppy taste as the Sorachi Ace hops comes out. Also, there is the sweet malty flavor of the saison coming right behind the hoppy-ness.

M: This beer left a clean taste without a strong after-taste. Very pleasant.

D: This beer is a good candidate to enjoy by the pool on a hot day or to relax in front of the tv watching a football game in Dec.

I am thoroughly pleased with this beer and will have to put it into my rotation of beers

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 02:19:55 | More by wstein70

CPeterson

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A -- A hazy straw golden brew pours to a four finger white head which settles very slowly to a thick froth, leaving thick spots of lacing on the glass.

S -- A solid farmhouse funk balanced by a twist of grass and citrus peel, backed with earth tones and herbal esters.

T -- Bold and bright lemon zest up front, herbal hop tones and the essence of rosemary and lavender. Light malts show in a mild biscuit undertone. Well balanced bitterness and a light fruit notes in the finish.

M -- Light to moderate in body, very effervescent carbonation. Fully showcasing dryness.

D -- Excellent brew, worth a try and a very admirable representation of a single hop variant.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 04:11:19 | More by CPeterson

KATE12

New York

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tried this beer for the second time while watching the Giants game yesterday.

Color-golden straw color

Mouthfeel-smooth, silky mouthfeel

Aroma-great aroma! Hints of fruit and floral aspects

I really enjoyed this beer. The head and lacing were outstanding and the taste was excellent. You really get flavors of wheat with some citrus and malt with a floral finish. It has a very smooth taste and is easy to drink and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 16:01:04 | More by KATE12

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - clear golden with lots of visible carbonation and a huge, puffy white head.

Smell - Very compex yeasty and herbal aroma that is enticing, but difficult to pin down becasue it is so well-intergrated. Grass, lemongrass, peppercorn, and cedar are definitely swirling in the mix.

Mouthfeel - Light bodied, but smooth and creamy because of the carbonation.

Taste - Very dry and refreshing. Flavours of lemongrass, yeast, bread, grass and spice.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 22:10:20 | More by

ToddT

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Cloudy pale golden yellow with ample carbonation in the large off white head. Head is sticky and leaves lots of lace on the glass.

S- Strong citrus and lemon character in the nose, very forward. Some hints of barnyard funk in the background, along with pepper, spice, and some alcohol heat.

T- Lemon and pepper flavors very forward at first. A bit of funk appears, well done not overly funky or sour, to balance things out and leads to a crisp, clean, and dry finish. Slight note of hop bitterness at the finish along with a slightly tart aftertaste, leaves you wanting just one more sip.

M- Creamy and smooth almost buttery, well carbonated but not overdone here either.

D- Very drinkable and accessible for the style. The 7.6% ABV is well hidden only a slight note in the nose.

Great beer, if you run across this buy it and enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2010 05:08:47 | More by ToddT