Brooklyn Sorachi Ace - Brooklyn Brewery

jwjon1

Delaware

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Seems like quite the polarizing beer! Count me in the camp of "enjoyed it". What I love about trying a new saison is that you never really know what you are going to get because of the number of unique yeast strains used in their preparation, and in the case of many brewers, the use of unique spices/herbs. Knowing that going in, I was still surprised at the distinctive burnt rubber smells of this beer and spicy finish. Not for everyone, but I loved it! I also walked in with a preconceived notion that hops would be in the background only, and was again surprised at the modest astringency of this saison. Any comparison to a well hopped Fantome is reasonable, which also tend to be polarizing and confusing beers. If you are looking for predictable and boring, look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 03:38:32 | More by jwjon1

drabmuh

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'm the third bottle review? Really? Poured into a tulip. I guess this is a new bottle then.

Beer is light yellow and hazy. Forms a big thick head of medium and large bubbles that collapses slowly leaving a lot of lacing on the glass. Carbonation is moderate and steady. Looks fine for a saison.

Sweet hoppy aroma. Nice esters in there as well. Plays well with the citrus. Like most people I don't have a lot of experience with the Sorachi hop, this is quite the experiment. I'm getting some sweet almost lemony aromas now as well. Very nice aroma overall.

Beer is light in body and quite hoppy. Lots of carbonation in the mouth and it finishes cleanly with no aftertaste. There is a growing bitterness in the back of the mouth. The midpalate flavors are a lot of tropical fruits like papaya and mango. Its relatively subtle. I don't really get saison from this but I'm not sure what I am getting from this. There seems to be a disconnect. It all tastes fine but its not coming together for me. I can't give it a bad review because I like all the parts but I don't put cheese on my Chinese food either. Check it out if you are curious.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 02:30:11 | More by drabmuh

bceagles39

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the big bottle at home.

Pours a light straw color with vigorous carbonation fizzing up to a billowy white head. Good lacing. Slightly cloudy but not as much as expected.

Subtle aroma, a little funky.

Dry. Grasslike/earthy flavors. Not very hoppy, a slight pale maltiness.

Smooth, nice finish, no bitterness; high drinkability, alcohol content doesn't seem as high as the 7.6 ABV listed on the bottle.

Honestly it drinks like a very complex light lager to me.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 00:51:29 | More by bceagles39

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I have had this a couple times from the tap, but this will be my first time from the bottle. The color is golden straw, with tons of air bubbles, and a very large, frothy white head. I have to say that when I tried it last, it had a sort of burnt rubber aroma to it, which I attributed to the Sorachi Ace hops. In this case, there is still some of that, but significantly toned down, and more dominated by tropical fruit such as papaya, mango, as well as some dry grain. The flavor starts out on the sweet side, with the fruit coming through nicely, and then ends on a more bitter note from the hops. The mouthfeel is lively, and quite nice on the palate, with prickly carbonation. One glass is enough for me right now, though I will definitely be finishing this bottle over the next few days. Unfortunately, the problem with this beer is what it is centered around: the Sorachi hops. At least for me, this is not a preferable varietal. On the flip side, good for Brooklyn for jumping on this new hop strain.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2010 02:30:46 | More by jamie2dope

dar482

New York

4.69/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

The color is a yellow lemon that is slight hazy.

The aroma has lemon, orange, and some biscuit malt. There's a sweet banana candy.

The flavor follows the aroma. Orange, lemon, banana candy. There's a big spiciness of clove and pepper. There's almost an earthy herbal flavor too.

Good bitter hop finish. I've never had sorachi hops before, but this is quite a delicious hops. This really has more complexity than DuPont. It's extremely complex and I think DuPont is more classic and easier to drink, but this surely is a more fun beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 05:58:54 | More by dar482

Richiebaseball

Georgia

4.48/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A very solid beer! Just a hint of lemon in the smell. Beautiful color. Nice and golden. Not served too cold which I think is important. Very good taste and aftertaste. Left my mouth tasting just a little dry. This beer just kept getting better with every drink. I would order this ale again anytime!

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 21:41:57 | More by Richiebaseball

SlothB77

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 25.4 oz bomber into glass.

A: A cumulonimbus cloud of three fingers of white foam on top of a clear body. Very light shadings of gold and yellow in the color. Very clear.

S: Nose has melon, pine, herbs, mint, blossom.

T: Flavors of pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, cut grass. I can taste the ginger the prior reviewer mentioned and definitely a peppery spice kick as well. Slightly bitter finish, no charring.

M: medium-bodied, lots of carbonation and acidity.

O: As expected for a saison, lots of fruit and florals. Very sweet. The sugary sweet citrus hits first, but the pine/ mint/ grassy flavor hits almost immediately after and the two mix for a very nice flavor definitely stronger on the mint/ pine/ grassy side.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

04-08-2013 00:19:09 | More by SlothB77

mactrail

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful 12 oz pour in the tall glass. Light amber color with long-lasting suds. Great mouthfeel-- both creamy and prickly. Medium body. Flavor is totally unique. Tastes like green peppers, black pepper, green apples, and jicama. Most interesting an likable flavors, however indescribable.

This is fairly malty at first, not really bitter even after the hop flavors emerge, but rather tart in the vein of many Saisons. The aftertaste touches on more bitterness. A thoroughly interesting brew I'm glad to have encountered. On tap at Pizza Paradiso in Georgetown. [transcribed from notes ; 06/10/2012 visit]

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2013 05:50:35 | More by mactrail

PattyMelt

Michigan

3.96/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A- Nothing too special. Amber yellow, minimal white head. Doesn't look fantastic, but looks good.
S- a very, very citrus, slight pine.
T- Starts off light, very crisp on the back. High lemon flavor with a strong kick of ginger. Clean & smooth.
M- light bodied.
O- very refreshing summer beer. I can see myself sitting on my deck drinking this for hours. Love it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2013 02:10:47 | More by PattyMelt

tectactoe

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Ashley's in Westland. Pours a golden-straw color; translucent with a mild chill haze that eventually fades away as the beer warms up a bit. Big-bubbled, white head is thin all the way throughout, but its small size was most likely due to the pour. Small bits of wet legging cling to the glass momentarily and eventually drip down.

The Sorachi Ace hop is notable for its lemon-like characteristics. Anyone who didn't already know that will definitely realize it after taking a whiff. The nose is packed with lemon in many different hats; lemon peel, lemon zest, lemongrass. Very effervescent; light, yet powerful; smooth, yet crisp. Mild herbal notes, grassy and subtly earthy, showcase themselves alongside the lemon brigade. Belgian yeast is no stranger here, either, adding the classic bubblegum-like aroma that has become oh so familiar. Mild finishing spices; clove, coriander, and faint white pepper.

The taste really integrates the Sorachi Ace hop well - the lemon notes are vibrant and noticeable, yet still manage to blend well with everything else, rather than sound anything out. Lots of flavors clashing all at once with each sip; lemon zest, herbal lemon tea, earthy hops, clove, white pepper, heavy yeast. The malt character is straightforward and basic; sometimes simplicity is the key. They add a nice cracker-like finish with some mild, balancing sweetness. Very like phenol character that only really becomes noticed near the latter half of the glass. Crispy, thanks to the hefty carbonation, finishing pretty dry with fading notes of herbal lemons and spicy yeast in the aftertaste. Thin-medium bodied.

Very good suggestion from Ron. Dangerously drinkable; fresh, crisp, dry, simple, and executed very well. Nice integration of flavor from this unique hop; this beer went down pretty quickly.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2013 11:48:18 | More by tectactoe

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Light gold, slightly hazed, white cap has good retention and decent lace.

S/T - Slightly tart, yeast funk, hay, grass, lemon candy sweetness. Moderate hop bitterness in the finish.

M - Medium body, lively carbonation, fluffy and smooth across the palate. Clean, dry finish.

O - This hop varietal seems to pair perfectly with the saison style. Accentuates the standard lemon/grass/hay flavors of saisons. Well done, I'd like to compare it to the bottle version.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2013 19:56:11 | More by garuda

TubaManJack

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

So after seeing this beer on many shelfs I decided why not

Appearance - Huge thick white sudsy head a light yellow body that is quite hazy.
Smell - Unriped bananas and hops. The nose of the hops is unique and a mix between being pungent funk and light herbal.
Taste- this is a farmhouse ale no question with its lighter malts and slight sourness from the yeast. However the hops do play a larger role than most. The hops do prove a different component that I am having a hard time pining down.
Mouthfeel - full slightly dry mild carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2012 02:20:48 | More by TubaManJack

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.13/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a yellow-orange colored brew with a one finger fizzy white head. The head faded quite fast leaving only a light amount of lacing behind.

Smell – The aroma is fruity and yeasty. Lemon and orange greet the nose with some highlights of tropical fruits mixed within. A yeasty smell brings with it some pepper, grass and a spicy note. Rounding out he smells are some notes of a citrus and floral hops.

Taste – The taste begins with a lots of the fruit that was detected in the nose. Orange and apple create the bulk of the fruit taste up front, but are joined by tropical notes as the taste advances. While upfront the yeast is on the tamer side, it grows rather strong more toward the middle and the end. With the yeast comes a peppery and grassy/haylike taste more classic of the farmhouse style. At the end with flavors that the yeast brings getting stronger a yeasty, sweet, haylike/grassy and sour fruit taste is left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the creamier side but yet maintained a rather crisp feel. The higher level of carbonation only accentuates the crispness, complementing well the tart and fruity flavors of the brew. Not too shabby.

Overall – A very nice drinking and flavorful brew. I would definitely recommend, as it was a nice blend of funky, smooth, citrus, and sweet. One to give a go to if you get a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 02:06:21 | More by Darkmagus82

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap, served in a pint glass

The body sits a pale, hazy orange color with a thin one finger cap. Not a very pretty pour by the bartender. The cap has some good staying power, as it never truly disappears. Some lines of lace strewn about.

The nose is full of wet hay, undercooked bread, black pepper, and lemongrass. Some bubble gum/cotton candy lying underneath. Fairly straightforward saison base with the addition of sorachi ace over top.

Soft bubble gum, undercooked bread, and wet hay roll onto the palate. Soft, lush feel. Lemon grass and lemon peel through the middle with some black pepper. The finish is some cotton candy/bubble gum and lemongrass and a hint of black pepper.

Medium feel, soft, and lush. A little bit of warming pops up late.

This is a pretty decent saison. Some unique character from the sorachi ace hops, but nothing special. Strong flavors, solid representation.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2012 21:56:52 | More by ColForbinBC

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap in a pint glass at Woodlands Tavern on 5/24/12

Pale, dull golden yellow; maybe a tad dirty. Slightly hazy. One finger cap of foam. Thin retention, but thick trails of lace.

Smells really nice with a slew of cracklin' lemon tones: lemon zest and lemon grass. Floral hops and prairie grass, too. Notes of cotton candy and banana as it opens up. Maybe some tart apple. Hints of clean grains.

The taste is much of the same, though with more of a fruity penchant. Juicy apple and fruity esters mix with zesty lemon hops and prairie grass freshness. Hints of toasty grain, but there's no doubt this is about the hops and twangy yeast.

Moderately light body with a crisp, distinct feel. Carbonation is punchy. The finish is clean.

Overall, this is darn tasty and very easy to drink. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 05:52:08 | More by Ryan011235

Tschnab

New York

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

A golden straw hazy pour with a nice fluffy head and a moderate level of lace. The smell is a burst of juicy lemon and lemongrass, belgian yeast, spice, mango and pineapple. The flavor has a clean belgian bannana profile with lemongrass and a grassy phenolic finish. Solid saison with a hop variety you dont get to see often. Glad to have had it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 22:11:52 | More by Tschnab

Sharkophile

New York

4.23/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a brilliant cloudy golden color with a white head made of very fine bubbles. Retention is good and the beer leaves lacing.

S: Smells fruitier than the typical saison, with alot of banana and citrus, along with the customary spiciness, some pleasant citrussy hop character, and a bit of booze.

T: Like the smell, it's initially quite sweet, with pear, banana, orange and honey like flavors chiming in. Goes spicy with some more citrus, allspice and clove, and finishes dry and quite crisp without a hint of alcohol.

M: Medium body with moderate carbonation for a saison. Serves the beer quite well.

O: Excellent, excellent saison. Haven't had another quite like it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 21:46:11 | More by Sharkophile

cosmicevan

New York

4.78/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

when on saw this available for growler fills I simply could not pass this up. enjoyed several pours in my brooklyn snifter on 7/9 while I was "on Hiatus."

a - just like the bottled version, it poured a golden yellow with champagne-like carbonation and a thick 3 finger frothy head with super sticky lacing.

s - candy and bubblegum. perfect for the summer weather. crisp and vibrant with some peppery fruit.

t - saison maximus. one if the better ones out there. great soft white pepper fruitiness. candy and bubblegum.

m - Silky and smooth with an undeniable zest.

d - Fantastic. One of my fav saisons. glad they made it year round and delighted to get this in growler. a true masterpiece and a must try for any fan of beer.

Serving type: growler

Serving type: growler

08-01-2012 01:39:14 | More by cosmicevan

Nutwood

Kentucky

5/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Saw this on the new drafts board at my main spot. Inquired about the style and was informed is was a Saison on tap.

Draft, 10 oz. pour into a goblet at ideal temperature.

A: Rich, slightly hazed golden color; half-finger of lingering head, a nice slightly yellowish off-white that lingered and laced pleasantly.

S: Country air aroma of hay, light fresh earth, spice, a touch of pine and lemongrass, an impression of tropical and floral without being sweet or perfumey. Nice notes of yeast hinting at the flavor to follow.

T: Follows nose and adds delicately balanced malt and hops. Taste is assertive but not aggressive; complex but very cohesive. Any bitter components present in the Sorachi hops are subdued and integrated into the overall complexity. There is a mellow spice hops flavor balancing the malt on the front, and the finish returns to the floral and lemongrass. There is a bit of elusive fruit here, the closest I can come is pear. After-taste is lip smacking fresh and clean and makes you want to savor and reflect before sipping again.

M: Medium body with carbonation present but in proportion to the flavor; the bubbles have presence but do not interfere with the taste.

O: This beer for me was inspiring; after a day of very high IBUs this was a refreshing eye-opener. It showed up big-time and reminded me there is more to beer than booze, bitterness and in-your-face attempts at "boldness". This is personal and is probably just an individual reaction, but the second and third sips of this gave me a bit of goose-flesh. This is a beer I will return to soon and often.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2012 16:14:58 | More by Nutwood

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Cork City Pub in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours a hazy dark golden yellow to golden orange in color. The beer has a three finger tall off-white head that slowly reduces to a thick film over the entire surface of the beer with some small thicker patches and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of saison yeast spiciness with hay + earthiness. There is just a hint of lemon citrus.

T: Light to moderate amounts of lemon citrus sourness along with some earthy/hay hop bitterness. There is an underlying sweetness with some spicy yeast flavors.

M: Just heavier than light bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth. Light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: Very enjoyable and easy to drink - definitely one to have another time. Well balanced and the alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2012 01:27:51 | More by dbrauneis

claspada

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy pale yellow color with a tight, frothy head that extends up over the edge of the pint glass. Nevertheless, a fine looking beverage with drippy lace all the way down the glass.

Aromas begin with slight floral but much more solid lemongrass hops over a solid pilsner slightly sweeet malt base. Increased juicy, zesty citrus and fresh herbs at it warms a bit.

The tastes begin with sweet, juicy lemon and a certain soft, creamy, almost honey-like flavor, coupled with the pilsner maltiness. Beglian yeast adds flavors of biscuit dough, fresh herbs, clove and pear. Overall phenolics are light.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation; slightly less than I expected for the style but given the higher than normal ABV for the style it is acceptable. Finish is minorly bitter and dry.

Overall this is a very good Saison and I was pleasantly surprised because I am normally not a fan of the style. Usually they are too yeasty and herbal forward for my tastes but the Sorachi Ace lemony hops make this a winner for me. Worth a go on draft or in the bottle. I think this is year round now but try to find a fresh bottle if possible the get the freshest hop characteristics.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2012 15:21:31 | More by claspada

DAllspaw

Indiana

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a golden yellow with 2 " brilliant white head. High carbonation you expect from a Saigon.

Smell is heavy on citrus and less barnyard than accustomed to for the style. Certainly a lighter crisper taste as well which my ignorance will attribute to the sorachi hops.

If you are looking for more earthy Saison this probably isn't for you but a very nice beer in many respects.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2012 20:31:33 | More by DAllspaw

TheHopHeadGirl

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It's a single hop saison, germanpilsner malts, with spices, golden farmhouse ale. Has a 7.6% etoh. Reminds me of honey basil from berkley & saison du buff from dogfish. It would be great with food. My 1st time having it is @ pig & fish in rehoboth for $i a 16oz glass.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2012 22:30:31 | More by TheHopHeadGirl

wedge

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

@ The Federal

Slightly hazy pale yellow color with a tight, frothy head that extends up over the edge of the pint glass. Had this been served in a larger tulip glass or something similar, I think the overall appearance would have been more impressive. Nevertheless, a fine looking beverage with drippy lace all the way down the glass. Perfumy floral and lemongrass aromas over a solid pilsner malt base. Increased juicy, zesty citrus and fresh herbs at it warms a bit. Sweet, juicy lemon and a certain soft, creamy, almost honey-like character in the mouth with, again, a nice pale malt presence. Dough, fresh herbs, clove, pear, and cedar. Overall phenolics are light. Very flavorful, yet soft and smooth. Medium bodied and fairly well carbonated. Properly bitter and dry. I've had this before, but don't remember being this impressed. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 15:04:48 | More by wedge

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-Pours a hazy golden color. Pretty white cap. Head retains well and leaves misty lacing. Ambient coloring of the body.

S-Smells absolutely delicious. It smells so much like a Piña Colada. Coconuts and grassy hoppiness. A very slight whiff of funk. The Piña Colada aroma is magnificent.

T-Tastes a lot like NEBCO's Gold Stock Ale (one of my all time favorites by the way). That super unique pineapple flavor is supremely delicious. Nice grassiness. Lemon zest, light funk and spice. Still tastes like a Piña Colada in my opinion.

M-Feels lighter that the ABV would allow you to believe. Nice, crisp carbonation. Light bitterness. Great feel.

O/D-I truly wish I didn't wait so long to try this. So unique. It reminds me of a slightly less perfect version of one of my perhaps Top 5 favorite beers. Plenty to love about this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 01:21:24 | More by VelvetExtract