The Dissident - Deschutes Brewery

HosP

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2010 bottle. Received from Scottfrie last year in one of my first trades I believe. Poured 22oz bottle into Jackie O's snifter.

A- Pours a slightly hazy ruby color. Thin white head with just a bit of lace left behind.

S- Smells a bit sweet up front. Some sourness, tartness comes in the middle towards the end. Cherry smells dot in with the sourness.

T- Not as sour as I was expecting. Nice smooth cherry tartness to at the beginning. Some earthy, oak flavors in the background. Maybe what is described as a bit of funk at the end. Still a smooth drink.

M- Medium body, lower carbonation. A little dry.

O- I very much enjoyed this beer. Not overly sour, but with the right balance of sour and fruit. Wish I had another one of these to drink! Thanks Scott for this way back when.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 04:31:10 | More by HosP

sweemzander

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz. bottle poured into a tulip. Best after 11/01/11. I got this almost a year ago in a trade and I cannot remember from whom; thank you whoever you were!

(A)- Pours a hazy crimson red color. Some white froth and lace.

(S)- A nice oaky tart cherry leather and tobacco character to it. Nice and dynamic with out being sweet. Very subtle funk.

(T)- Heavy on the oak but a dense cherry fruit to it with some subtle Brett and band aid character. Some tartness, but subtle.

(M)- A good carbonation level to it. A decent balance too, but slightly strange and medicinal.

(D)- A decent flanders, though I think it still possibly needs more time to develop better. The medicinal note became more and more prevalent as it warmed.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 21:43:38 | More by sweemzander

oline73

Maryland

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

Appearance: Pours a reddish amber with a layer of off white head that fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Fruity, sour vinegar with some sweet malt. Smells like it is going to be quite sour.

Taste: Some mildly sweet malt up front with a fruity sourness. Red wine notes with a mild metallic/nickel flavor. The finish is sour and a little bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with fluffy carbonation and a finish that is a bit slick.

Overall: This is a really good sour that could have been fantastic but there was a mild metallic note in the taste. The alcohol was almost nowhere to be found. Not sure if I would hunt down another one given the rarity.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 16:37:33 | More by oline73

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 bottling; red-waxed bomber into a white wine glass -

A: Semi-murky tawny amber...decent clarity I guess, as it sits and warms...a little head and lacing but not much.

S: Tartness and some fruitiness upfront...cherries and red wine grape...decent smattering of oak notes and a decent malty sweet backbone...hints of vanilla and brown sugar here as well. Although the tartness dominates, in a sense it smells balanced.

T: More tartness with malty sweet undertones...funkiness as well...tart/sour cherry and nice underlying oak tannins...lots of vinous notes too, especially on the finish...more hints of brown sugar in the malty body. The wild yeast is carried to a sour finish by a robust brown malt body.

MF: 'Drying' sour finish but not quite puckering...medium mouthfeel with adequate palate-cleansing carbonation.

O: Really an enjoyable tart/sour brown.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 15:46:02 | More by Scotchboy

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4.63/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 Vintage, aged in my kitchen for 13 months.

Ruby amber color with an off white head. Not much lacing.

Smell is tart, with cherry fruit, vanilla, oak.

Taste is rich orange, cherries, flowers, and sugar sprinkled red grapefruit with a little sherry like oxidation. So very balanced. Simple and fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 07:30:03 | More by sacrelicio

NorCalYeti

California

3.93/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

taste- sour notes in the mid part and the finish of the drink, cinnamon in the finish, wood barrel, sour cherry, a little sweet for my taste

color- deep amber, apple juice

clarity- clear

smell- met with a blast of green apple when opened. funk, apples, spice, synthetics, slightly estery

body- smooth on the palate, prickly at the front of the mouth, slightly oily, a hint of heat from the alcohol, medium-length finish that also disappears in the mouth, lean

appearance- small off-white foamy ring around the glass after the initial pour. no lacing. a little active carbonation from the etching in the tulip

overall impression- flavors are well integrated but also mellow. my impression is that this beer would have been more vibrant with less age on it and probably my preference. a little disappointed with this effort. wanted a little more sourness in the drink

notes and comments- 2010 vintage. label says best after 11/01/11. belgian-style brown ale.

glassware: tulip

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 04:21:24 | More by NorCalYeti

draheim

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle (2010 Reserve, best after 11/1/2011) poured into a snifter. Pours a crystal clear amber w/ a crackling fizzy white head that dissipates quickly. Lacks the vigorous carbonation I was hoping for; in fact few bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass.

Aroma is sour, vinegary, tart - reminds me of a few American wild ales I've tried. Sour cherries.

Taste is also sour and woody, not as tart as the nose. Acidic, w/ just a hint of cherry sweetness that expands as it warms.

Mouthfeel is a little prickly despite the lack of carbonation. Coats the tongue and lingers.

Overall I wasn't sure what to expect with this one and I'm a little disappointed. It's good, and different to be sure - I'm just not blown away. Still, as always I feel fortunate to have a chance to try a fine beer from one of America's best breweries.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 05:25:09 | More by draheim

velosuds

Oregon

4.6/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

"Every once and a while you just have to go against the grain." - From the label.

Damn, I think Deschutes should go against the grain more often. Damn tradition. Never settle. Love what this brewery is doing.

2010 Reserve. Paid $12.49 for the last bottle in Salem at Capital Market shortly before it sold out shortly after it was released. Shortly produced too. I want more.

A-Pours a hazy, ruby grapefruit red hue with a minimal head (1/2 finger) that leaves modest lacing on the glass.

S-Cherries. Blessedly sour cherries. Slight vinegar and faint alcohol. Some sweetness and citrusy grapefruit. I knew I was going to love this beer at first whiff.

T-Nice balance of tart and tangy cherries with some mild hop bitterness. Very fruity and almost festive. Even wine like, which is awesome given the grain bill per the homebrew clone recipe on the Deschutes website. The sour notes are very well balanced by residual sweetness and bitterness.

M-Very smooth and well carbonated. Feels too good to be beer.

O-I liked this more than I expected. Perhaps, it is not a traditional Flanders sour. IDGARA. This is brewed in America. Beer is better here. Belgium can have their classic bicycle races. But, I am all for improving Belgian beer styles and Deschutes has gone against the grain in a way that harmonizes with my soul. Well done Deschutes. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 07:08:03 | More by velosuds

kmatlack

California

2.33/5  rDev -44.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

At last, the dissident. Been wanting this guy for a while now. Finally landed two of them. 2010 reserve, best after 11-01-11

A- Pours a still red orange with very little bubbles. No head, very clear. Some bubbles riding up the side of the glass.

S- Smells promising. Vinegar, cherries, apple peels, lemon juice. Uh Oh. Southern Comfort...gross. Smells extremely acidic and cherry like. Slight oak notes.

T- Sonofabitch. This tastes like sour Southern Comfort. Cherry zing bouncing all over in my mouth, very little sour, really sweet, bitter oak tannins. No, no, no, this is all wrong.

M- Thin mouthfeel, dry, low carbonation.

O- Nothing pisses me off more than putting a beer up on a pedestal and having it not live up to your expectations. This is the first time i have not liked a sour beer OR a beer by Deschutes. Tragic. FT: The Dissident ISO: Better sours

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 01:36:47 | More by kmatlack

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thank you Harrymel for sending me a couple of bottles of this in January or February of 2011. Thanks Harry!

2010 Reserve; Best after 11/1/11.

Poured into my DuClaw Colossus snifter.

A: Poured an extremely clear, brownish-red color, with a very wimpy mildly off-white head that stuck around for a while.

S: Smelled much more like a spirit than a beer, with tons of brandy notes, along some brown sugar, and melted "Astro-Pop." After I got used to the intensity of it, I thoroughly enjoy the smell on this one.

T: A bit of aging has done WONDERS for this one! My favorite part is the peppery, buttery finish that lingers in the mind, but not on the palate. The sourness was most prevalent in the mid-palate range, with a bit of lingering nuttiness immediately following.

M: The low carbonation was great, the sweetness (which is often a common complaint I hear lots with this brew) has obviously dropped off considerably, and sourness hit just the right note.

O: The Flanders Oud Bruin is quickly becoming my favorite style and this is ranked up there here on BA amongst the best of them (presently #6 in its style class here on BA). "The Dissident" did NOT "Dissapoint." [I spelled that wrong intentionally...

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 03:27:09 | More by Chaney

AgentZero

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Amber colored beer, a little bit too clear. Bit of brown head that didn't stay around very long. Slight bit of lace left on the sides.

S - Pretty vinous, maybe a little too much as there's a lot of vinegar in there. Some oak, little bit of tartness and funk along with some fruit.

T - Slight tartness with some sweeter berries. Wood and vinegar. It's a little bit sour, with a little bit of funk. Not bad, but there's a slight bit of mineral or something on the end of this that I found a little unpleasant. Maybe the bottle has turned.

M - Full bodied, very full bodied. Soft carbonation.

O - Not a great beer, merely okay. Had some moderately decent tastes but there was some unpleasantness on the end I didn't care for. Not super easy to drink either.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 05:08:16 | More by AgentZero

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

3.18/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Another awesome beer sent from johngalt1...

A- Beautiful, rusty amber ruby colored beer. Has a cm of pale khaki head, dense and clingy.

S- Tart cherries, and a slight vanilla aroma. Some horse blanket funk, but mostly just a fruity tartness.

T/M- WTF is in my mouth? Incredibly different. I get a hefty dose of plastic and all around funk in this. Not much tartness in the flavor, but its more of a funky and spoiled maraschino cherry syrup. Finish has an acetic character, but overall it's just bleh. Nice body and smooth carbonation. Great feel!

O- I like different, but this was too different. Not the typical Oud Bruin. It did get better as it warmed, but all in all I didn't feel crazy about this. I appreciate it, but didn't really enjoy it...

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 18:52:20 | More by TheGordianKnot

srandycarter

California

3.85/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Murky caramel not much head...no lace. Ring only.

S - Sour bitter astringent nose. Hint of malt.

T - Nice depth. Small caramel core surrounded by sour notes. Nice blend.

M - Light to medium body, fair balance, decent carb.

D - Masks the ABV pretty well. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 03:20:48 | More by srandycarter

FosterJM

California

3.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

920th Review on BA
Bottle to Piraat Tulip
22 oz

2010 Bottle
Best After: 11/1/11

Huge thanks to Tmcelvain for this one!! Been sitting on this since Feb.

App- A bit of a red/pink/orange and yellow color. A huge puffy medium receding head. Big thick webbing and lace. A very vinegar looking consistency.

Smell- Opens with a slight cherry sweetness and then flows to a bit of lactic sourness and a little bit of wood note. A mix of some prickly tannins as well.

Taste- A pretty good sour. Has a bit of cherry flavors with only a mild tannin and lactic flavor. A good bit of oaky wood behind the cherry and brown ale flavors.

Mouth- A bit too light on the sour finish to me. A bit lactic on the finish with a certain light body and a bit of a medium semi bubbly carbonation. A good bit of cherry residual flavors.

Drink- Well I did it. I sat on it for 9 months and I appreciate the flavor profile in this one. It was a good sour but wasnt the most earth shattering but I am glad I waited on this one. Made it that much more enjoyable. According to Stormking47 who told me an 08 is much better. Quess I need to trade for one....damnit.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 05:16:40 | More by FosterJM

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

650 mL bottle poured into a snifter. 2010 bottle. 3 days before the "Best after" date. Damn!

Appearance - Very clear red body, which is surprising. Vigorous head on the pour, but the retention is minimal and there's nary a hint of bubbles once it's gone.

Smell - Cherries, oak, and some sour notes. Red wine rounds out most of the flavors. The flavors blend nicely as none are notably stronger than the others. I do think it has a certain intensity that is off-putting, though I can't place it. It might be alcohol, but it's tough.

Taste - As expected from the smell, with a significant dose of oak. Not very sour, really. In fact, it's hardly sour. A lot of wine flavors, cherries, and again an intense flavor that might be alcohol.

Mouthfeel - Drier than most Oud Bruins, but it's not puckeringly dry. Not a lot of carbonation, but it isn't missed. I don't feel the alcohol, although that flavor still eludes me!

Overall - Not as good as I was hoping. Still a good Oud Bruin, but not anywhere near as exciting as some of its counterparts.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 22:17:36 | More by Alieniloquium

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle of the 2008 vintage, allowed to warm some before being poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

Deschutes The Dissident pours an opaque mahogany, and proper backlighting lightens the edges to more of a red-orange. The two pours churned up one and two fingers of very light tan foam serving as a head. Retention is minimal and lacing nonexistent, but I guess that's somewhat to be expected.The nose is heavy on cherry and dark fruits from the wine barrel aging. There's a bit of funk and a bit of tartness, but the aforementioned cherry/fruit really form the center of the aroma. The flavor allows the supporting notes to shine through a bit more. An acidity/tartness leads off and immediately grabs my tastebuds' attention. The cherry and red wine that so dominated the nose slide in and occupy things mid palate. The brett flavors finish the beer off, and it's nicely nuanced. Notes of leather and tobacco are a great way to close the beer. The mouthfeel is solid, yet unspectacular. It's not as dry as I would have expected, but still fairly well attenuated. The carbonation's not as expansive as is usually found in some other Belgian styles, but it's still active enough to let you know its there. 3 years later and this vintage of The Dissident is drinking very nicely. Another great offering from the brewery that's brought me The Abyss and Mirror Mirror.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 04:40:19 | More by axeman9182

cavemanlawyer

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2008 Bottle, acquired at By the Bottle in Vancouver. Thanks guys!

Thick red wax on a 22 oz. bomber, poured into a Watou chalice.

Beautiful tan head from a gentle pour. Upon opening the bottle cloudy puffs of head gently ooze forth. Pouring into glass reveals a slightly hazy dark amber and ochre pigments.

The aroma hits you from a mile away. Sour barnyard and balsamic vinegar. Quite unique among sours and even Flanders style, the bouquet blew everyone away. A hint of cherries and wood.

Taste is quite pleasant but a slight letdown from the aroma. Like the 2010 Dissident it is thinner than many sours but this allows more subtle things to occur as well. Balsamic and toast, oak then a dry cherry finish that is dry and crisp. Close to a 4.5 but not quite.

Light and bubbly, this beer has held up well over three years. I picked up two bottles ($30 each) and I plan to age the second for at least another year. Mouthfeel gets high points in part due to my preference for dry sours - this has a nice clean finish that leaves a lingering cherry/wood combo.

Overall this was a very enjoyable experience. I think the 2008 still has a way to go, so there is no need to open it any time soon. If you have access to one, have fun. I opened this with a group of friends, some of whom had never had sour beer before, and everyone had good things to say. After Abyss, this is Deschutes best bottled brew I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 01:02:41 | More by cavemanlawyer

flagmantho

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I consider myself lucky to have snagged a growler of this at Malt & Vine in Redmond. This is the 2010 vintage, poured into a tulip.

Appearance: rich tawny amber hue with a thin finger of ivory foam atop. Pretty nice looking.

Smell: rich, sweet malt with quite a bit of sourness to it. A little fruitiness adds to the enjoyment.

Taste: very good, smooth malt flavor with just the right amount of sourness. I thought from the aroma that this might be a hair too sour but I was thankfully quite wrong. Flavor starts out with some orchard fruit character in with the malt, then the sourness builds to the end. It finishes smooth, though, with a light sweetness and a little bitterness. I love the flavor and dynamism.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a somewhat low level of carbonation, this beer is a little more silky than it is creamy. I like the feel of it, though; it doesn't feel overattenuated, despite the high alcohol and acidity.

Overall: just an excellent beer. I imagine, maybe, that having a bottle with a little more carbonation might work some good here, but I'm quite satisfied indeed with my Dissident growler experience.

Serving type: growler

09-22-2011 22:29:11 | More by flagmantho

jamescain

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage, poured into a sniffer, thanks to BeerZach for sharing this one.

Appearance: Pours a light reddish brown with an off white head about a centimeter thick and fades into a thin lacing over the top of the beer.

Aroma: Subtle sour cherry aroma mixed with other fruits and oak. The wine is subtle but it is definitely there and gives it a spicy character.

Taste: Sour cherries, spicy pinot noir, cranberries, a hint of vinegar, and oak.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium light body, medium low carbonation with a sour acidic finish.

Overall: This is a very good beer, exceptional comes to mind. I'm not that experienced with the style, but I enjoyed it very much.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 15:54:49 | More by jamescain

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours a ruby red when held up to the light with an inch of off-white foam that slowly faded to a ring of bubbles arond the glass.
S - nice cherry aroma, a deep breath reveals some sweet and sour cherries with a bit of ripe sourness
T - nice brown base flavor with a hint of sourness, not very sour but nice and mild with some oak flavor as well. Just a hint of a cider flavor, Very nice mild flavor, though I wish it was a bit more flavorful.
M - crisp carbonatin, medium bodied, a bit of a sour flavor but not overly so. Very easy to drink and enjoy. I think this could be enjoyed by any drinker that is willing to try something new. I wish it was more easily attainable for me.
D - I would love to have this again and hopefully I can come across another bottle soon.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 05:47:58 | More by mikereaser

vkv822

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle into tulip snifter.
Best After: 11/01/11

Pours a dark red with a slight burnt-orange hue and a tan foam across the top.

The is tart, with a pleasant cherry and oak backing.

The taste is a bit more tart than the nose, with more fruit notes as well. Cherry is the most prominent with, with some pleasant cider notes as well. It finishes with light vinous, oak and vinegar notes. The alcohol is very well hidden.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and crisp with light, slightly prickly carbonation.

A very nice sour, easy drinking and tart yet not over bearing. The flavors are nothing too complex, but still interesting and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 04:59:22 | More by vkv822

youradhere

Arkansas

4.53/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2010 Vintage
Pours an effervescent cream colored head, bright copper hues in the body, lots of carbonation bubbles trace the sides. Smells of cherries, pineapple, mango, oak, vanilla, toffee. Tastes of tart lacto up front, followed by more muted cherry, maraschino cherry to be exact, toffee, vanilla, slight chocolate, fig. Mouthfeel is medium, thin for the ABV, you can still feel the alcohol heat on this one, carbonation is great and mellows as it sits. Great oude bruin, my favorite style and a great rendition of it.

May 08 2010
2008 Vintage
Had this at a tasting at Jakes 5th anneversary. Nice hazy copper color capped with a beige head that quickly fades. Smells of sour cherries and funk still after these few years. Tastes of cherries up front followed by musty horse and a barely perceptable alcohol burn. Light body and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 02:23:42 | More by youradhere

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 bottle. Pours a clear dark cherry red with a thick head. Nose is fairly sharp, sour, citric. Pretty balanced and enjoyable, and bright. Mouth is soft, flavor profile opens with a fair amount of wine barrel and sour cherries. Sweet, sour, much darker than the nose, not as bright or citric. Acidity on the back end. Really wet and wine barrel-heavy, a quality that I don't really dig in sours. Reminds me of some 2009-2010 era McKenzie stuff. Still, this is a bit more refined, interesting, and has some nice aromatic qualities. Pretty nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 00:20:35 | More by JAXSON

cbarrett4

Oregon

4.6/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

So good I bought the t-shirt! Seriously. I bought the t-shirt!

Traditional flanders style ale but made in USA! This is a tart cherry heaven in a glass. That brett/lacto sour/tart thing going on. Some barrel aged notes. Really subtle though, not like the bright and up front Cascade sours. This reminds me of the high dollar Belgian sours that trickle over to the states.

I still wake up from dreams prominently featuring this beer and cursing myself for not buying more!

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 22:42:00 | More by cbarrett4

rlee1390

Indiana

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Deep red, one finger head, some carbonation as well.

S-Cherries, oak and some tartness as well.

T-More tart than sour. Subtle cherries and oak flavors. Very mild when compared to other sours but the flavors are well balanced and subtle.

M-Medium bodied, silky smooth and carbonated.

O-Not the most flavorful or most sour beer out there, however the flavors mesh well and their nuanced balance is wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 19:48:26 | More by rlee1390