Conflux No. 1 (Collage) - Deschutes Brewery

brystmar

New York

2.08/5  rDev -50.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

"Best after 4/30/13." I'd suggest waiting even longer.

Muddy brown body, pretty ugly, and geez does that smell awful. Holy balls, keep that shit away from my nose. Note to self: don't use sherry barrels alongside anything else.

The flavor profile here is a great example of the poker term "FPS" (fancy play syndrome). There are far too many things going on here for its own good. In purely barrel terms, sherry mixing with bourbon and oak is a bad idea. On top of that, you have overly aggressive flavor profiles from multiple base beers clashing as they age. The decision to blend this many bold flavors together was a poor one.

This was my second time with Conflux #1 since its release, and my opinion of it hasn't changed. I love HotD and Deschutes, but this is an awful clusterfuck of a beer. Perfect example of FPS leading brewers awry.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 04:28:33 | More by brystmar

Borz

2.68/5  rDev -35.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Mohagany color. No head. I poured it in a wide mouth snifter as well as a normal beer glass, both smell sower. The dissident taste is overwhelming and is the prominant taste.
Could not get any clear Adam or Fred from it.
Personally I think it is overrated and way too expensive. 11 dollars for an 8 oz is ridiculous!

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 00:21:49 | More by Borz

Bendurgin

Maine

2.78/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Thanks for sharing Andy. Poured into a stemmed glass. This on pours a dark mahogany with no real head to speak of. Nice color.

The aroma is full of mollasses and dark fruits. Reminds me of Adam from HotD. Boozey with hints of toffee. Caramel and dark fruits on the pallet with a bit of (seemingly misplaced) tartness.

The body is full with decent carbonation. The flavor lingers. Overall this one seems like a mistake. Could be something great if it wasn't tart.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 01:58:23 | More by Bendurgin

NarcoSolo

Pennsylvania

2.88/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From a 12oz bottle into a snifter...

A: Despite the fairly aggressive pour, almost no head at all. That's not a problem at all for me--some brews just don't have it. But the beer itself was a strange kind of murky reddish-brown, and it really did not look at all appetizing.

S: A mish-mash of smells going on here. Sour cherries and dark fruit, leather, smoke, tobacco, caramel, definitely a little bit boozy in the nose.

T: This is a very odd beer. The dominating flavors are Fred and the Dissident in a shoving match, with Adam and the Stoic hanging out in the back room sharing a cig. I'm not really digging this blend.

M: Mouthfeel is nice. Crisp, with low carbonation. Suits the beer.

O: I'm not a huge fan overall. I really like all the beers individually, but together the flavors just clash too much in my opinion. An ambitious and creative project, but didn't hit the right notes for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 19:42:45 | More by NarcoSolo

CharlieMurphy

New York

2.93/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Brown with muddled light brown/orange hues evenly emerging towards the edges. Not much head at all, beads on the end drops of the pour.

S: I honestly get straight sour mashing, like apple cider vinegar. Not much more than this, and it's a hard aroma to get around having homebrewed several flubbed batches that have taken this on. Ok - real faintly, I get some apple, apricot, and prune.

T: Also very very mild, although there is certainly a wealth of things going on... and on... and on. Like a ship at sea, this rides the tides up and down through a myriad of different flavors. It goes something like this: Carbonation -> apple cider vinegar -> dates -> prunes -> cranberry -> pinot noir -> apricot -> zinfandel like feel and acidity -> grape -> whiskey -> port -> peat -> bourbon warmth way on the back. The most prominent/longest lasting flavors are [hard] apple cider [vinegar] which pervades with the carbonation hand in hand, and cranberry like red wine. Although all flavors are very mild. Flavors collapse into each other more than meld as the drink goes on. Gets a 3.5 instead of 3 solely based on the first 1 ounce's complexity.

M: Lower carbonation which seems appropriate for this genetic miscreant of beer that possesses a transformation of warmth and dark body born of fruit acidity. The flavors all begin to be hard to separate from each other very quickly after the first few sips due thanks to the lingering, albeit low, carbonation and wine like acidity. Overall dryer than average, which significantly detracts from the flavor profile of the many things going on in here, particularly at the end where most of the warmer/darker notes were.

O: I was VERY excited about this one. I'm sure it would have been exponentially better had the Stoic been omitted from the blend. I kind of hope they attempt something like this again but with Mirror Mirror instead of the stoic and a little less wine barrel in the ratio, maybe less time in the barrels overall to discourage the vinegar mash type sourness. Is this what people who got Idiot's Drool felt like?

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 06:13:47 | More by CharlieMurphy

charlzm

California

3.04/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Consumed April 23rd, 2013 from a bottle labeled "best after 04/30/13". Sue me; I couldn't wait. Poured into a Mother Earth Brewing... goblety-flute glass. Consumed at 50 degrees F.

Beer pours a fairly clear deep reddish brown. A two finger off white head forms and hangs around for quite some time.

Aroma is sweet like brown sugar and sour like lemons. Seems like there's a touch of green olive and must in there as well that kind of almost ruins it.

Flavor: sharp-edged sourness cuts through the syrupy-sweet caramel body. A bit of lemon on the finish. Morphs into white wine vinegar as beer warms. Despite all the component beers and barrel-aging shenanigans, not especially complex. But the flavors ARE intense and the beer has a warming effect in the stomach. I had this when it was first released and it seemed better then.

Mouthfeel is slightly thick and a little creamy with some carbonation to keep it lively.

Overall, this didn't turn out very well. Maybe this was a bad bottle or maybe the off notes in the aroma developed over time, but I wish I had taken notes on the first bottle I had when it freshly released. Aging hurt this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:56:55 | More by charlzm

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Big thanks to boralyl for this bottle. Split with Amyliz4 between Hair of the Dog and Deschutes tulips. Pours a reddish-brown with a short light tan head that quickly fades to a thin collar. The nose carries quite a bit. There’s an interesting mixture of barrels, with red wine and rye whiskey really coming through. A touch of sherry. Cherry and dark fruits along with some light acidity. The flavor isn’t quite as integrated, with a bit of alcohol taking hold alongside the acidity. A bit rough as it warms, compared to the nose. Medium body. Low carbonation. This could use a bit of time.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 20:02:15 | More by Thorpe429

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I wrote a damn good review, but then I got asked to sign in after writing it and it was gone. Fuck that. This is a summary of what I had.

Poured into a snifter.

3.5 A: Well hazed plum color. One finger of frothy head. Retention is lacking and a very short ring of lacing is left.

4.0 S: This smells mainly like Dissident. Tons of tart cherries and lactic acid tanginess. The grape component really stand out. Sherry, pinot, and cognac dominate the nose in that order. The bourbon is present, but only if you try really hard to find it. If I didn't know it was in there, I never would have mentioned it. There's some fruitiness underneath, but this is mainly vinous grape-iness and Dissident.

3.0 T: Adam shows up for the first time in the taste. The unrefined, earthy fruitiness is appreciated. Though this still have tart cherry and some lactic acid, the Dissident is a rather small component of the taste. The grape barrels, however, are still holding strong and you can taste each of their contributions. The bourbon is also a little stronger, but for the most part it seems out of place. Oak, vanilla, and some tannic astringency. The rest is a jumble of fruits, caramel, and spiciness. Most of this falls beneath the grape barrels to play a secondary role.

3.0 M: Lighter medium to medium body. Good moderate carbonation. The thing I don't like about the mouthfeel is the almost puckering tannic astringency and the lasting sherry and cognac aftertaste.

3.5 D: Interesting experiment, but it's a baffling combo of brews and barrels. It's like a overly creative homebrewer was calling the shots. It's not bad, but it's far too pricey and the flavors don't work all that well together.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 04:05:10 | More by DavoleBomb

largadeer

California

3.35/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Rust colored body capped by a thin beige head. Slight haze, but largely clear.

Smell: Acetic and lactic notes from Dissident are prominent, as is leather and smoke from Adam. It's an odd, slightly jarring mix. There's plenty of barrel in here, too, primarily wine and whiskey along with a good bit of raw oak. Cherries pop out a bit as it warms, and there's an unpleasant meaty quality. The Stoic and Fred seem a bit lost in the mix here, overwhelmed by the intense aromas of Adam and Dissident.

Palate: Sweeter than the nose suggests, but still fairly acetic. Cherries and smoke, leather, brown sugar, sherry, whiskey, red wine - plenty going on here, but it's not all harmonious. The body is full and syrupy, carbonation is low. Oak and vinous notes take over the finish, followed by some bourbon barrel burn.

Overall: What an odd mix. Not outright bad, but I'm not sure what the hell they were thinking. This could have been outstanding had Deschutes used Mirror Mirror and Abyss instead of Dissident and Stoic.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 00:51:51 | More by largadeer

bum732

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

S: Oak, some flanders red notes, slight tart cherries, some richness

L: Cloudy dark brown, little head.

T: Rich maltiness with a tart, slightly funky cherry note. Lots of wine notes with slight tannins. Low bitterness leading to additional tart cherry wood maltiness. Finishes slightly dry with some cherry-like tannins. Some bourbon as it warms.

M: Medium bodied, medium low carbonation. Tannic. Alcohol fairly well hidden.

Not bad, an interesting beer. Not sure if everything worked together. Why they chose to blend the Stoic is bizarre. Maybe it will improve with age? Who knows.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 01:44:16 | More by bum732

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a dark cloudy brown color ale with a large foamy head that disappeared quite fast. Aroma of sour notes is quite dominating with some brown sugar notes also perceptible. Taste is a weird mix between some sour and tart notes of cherries and oak (Dissident) mix in with vinous notes and some sweet caramel and malt notes. Body is quite full with medium carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Interesting experiment though not something I would drink on a regular basis. I’m also wondering if I would not have preferred to drink some Fed or Adam on its own and whether this is not a waste of good beer at the end of the day.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 17:50:37 | More by Phyl21ca

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into a matching Hair of the Dog tulip. The brew appears a clear, polished color of mahogany. A rich 2 finger khaki head sits atop and lasts with solid retention from the rising bubbles of supporting carbonation. It paints the glass with thick patches of lacing effect. When held to the light, the edges show more of a lighter orange to almost yellow clarity. Not gonna lie, this brew looks pretty awesome and displays a very nice cap for being nearly 12% abv.

The aroma is tart and reminiscent of the flanders style. Sour cherries come to mind mixed with a hint of apple cider vinegar. The barrel aging is quite prominent in the nose but it carries with it almost a spicy aspect like incense or cedar instead of the anticipated caramel/vanilla smoothness. As it warms up, a hint of vanilla extract comes forward with a hint of caramel and some fruity alcohol esters emerge giving the first signs of that high alcohol content.

The taste is strikingly similar to the aromatics. My first thoughts are of a jacked-up version of a flanders red. Mildly tart cherry mixes with vinegar and a solvent boost of alcohol mingled with some accenting fruity alcohol esters. Mid palate and into the finish is the barrel aging with caramel and vanilla flavors being quite evident. However, just as the aroma indicated, there is a spiced aspect about the woodiness of this brew that leaves an impression of something like incense or cedar.

This is a medium to fuller bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. The alcohol initially was quite suppressed but as the experience continues, it really comes out to play. Let me see if I got this right. This brew is a hodgepodge of the Dissident, Stoic, Fred and Adam all barrel aged? I love fred and adam and them going into a barrel makes absolute magic. I enjoy dissident and frown a bit at stoic. For 75% of this beer components sounding amazing, im sad to say that the biggest impression I get from this is memories of drinking stoic with the sour edge of dissident. Fred and Adam seem to have been lost in the background and provide seemingly nothing but a boost of alcohol. Oh well. I really wanted to try this and im glad that I have.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 02:25:53 | More by stakem

Murrhey

Montana

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured in a wine glass, as to better preserve the aroma (I have no idea if that is right or not, but seemed it.) from a 12 oz bottle, brewed in May. I really wish I had bought two, one for long-term aging and this one, but the store slapped a limit on me and then charged $13 for this. Alas.

A- One finger khaki head, with surprisingly long retention considering the high ABV. Nice ringed lacing. Dark mahogany color with no clarity. Fine looking brew.

S- Sour like a red wine, oak barrels, cherry, brown sugar, some sour alcoholic flavors. Caramel notes. Quite aromatic, smelled some of these as I was just cracking the bottle.

T- Acidic and surprisingly subtle. Boozy but with a strong flavoring of tobacco. The cherries I tasted get lost in the oak and wooden flavors. Strange.

M- Vinous and astringent. Not a fan.

O- Well, here I am somewhat disappointed. Maybe I SHOULD have aged it longer.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 03:30:15 | More by Murrhey

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

3.58/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I was really looking forward to this one, as I love Hair of the Dog and Deschutes.

Appearance – Pours murky dark brownish red, with some golden notes when held up to the light. A nice head that quickly dissipates to a ring around the edge of the glass, that leaves a very nice lacing.

Smell – There’s some crazy stuff going on in the smell. A strange mix of sour ale, vinegar, Pinot, cherry, and oak. Complex, but a strange mix.

Taste – Whiskey, sour ale, and Pinot, which isn't a great match with the whisky. Weird.

Mouthfeel – Light carbonation, thin, and a slight bite from the whiskey which sticks around in the aftertaste.

Drinkability – Not the most drinkable beer; a strange mixture of flavors with a mild whiskey bite. The 11.6% isn’t hidden. Not bad, but not what I expected from two of my favorite breweries.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 05:39:10 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

denver10

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A deep caramel, chestnut color with a thumbs width off white head. Aroma filled with belgian yeast giving it a big wallop of alcoholic apples alongside some caramel, woodiness, and alcoholic heat. . Flavor starts off quite harsh as this one packs a ton of heat. As the beer warms up, it improves tenfold though.Things seem to be a huge mishmash of flavors and different phases of this beer all seem to offer their own individual experience. Starts off hot and leathery; belgian type yeast, apples, dark cherries, and lots of woodiness. The second half is much smoother and enjoyable as a nice sweet, sugary, some vanilla and caramel flavor dominates. A thick, creamy mouthfeel. Overall, a messy beer. I definitely preferred the 2nd half of this beer over the first half and not sure the 2 phases quites melded together. And also too much heat going on, more age on this is definitely needed. It definitely improves as it warms up though.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 00:55:56 | More by denver10

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks goes out to micstache for this one as an extra in a recent trade! Served from bottle into a Hair of the Dog tulip (proper!). Poured red-brown with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount very quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, tart cherry, wood, vanilla, fruit, and caramel. The flavor was of sweet malt, tart cherry, fruit, wood, vanilla, dark chocolate, and caramel. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. There was a huge amount going on here if I am honest. My palate actually almost found it quite overwhelming as I had no clue what the Hell was going on at some points during my glass. Granted there were a lot of nice aspects going on at the same time, but they just seemed to be crammed in with a bunch of other things going on. Worth trying if you get the chance, but that’s about it if you were to ask me.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 10:51:48 | More by thagr81us

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

pour is a murky dark brown with a thin dark tan head. Nose has a bit of dark olive underneath with strong plum notes and a hint of acetic acid. Taste is similar, has notes of Adam underneath the sour plum and black cherry notes. A hint of an acidic twang in back on a creamy body and crisply carbonated finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 18:40:30 | More by cpetrone84

womencantsail

California

3.68/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazed dark mahogany with a tan head. Strong bourbon aroma, vanilla, lots of dark fruits, brown sugar, and quite a lot of alcohol. A light tartness, heavy oak aroma, some charred wood notes, too. Tastes fairly boozy. Lots of whiskey, vanilla, and oak. Some caramel, brown sugar, and dark fruits. Fairly boozy with a light tartness and lots of dark fruits. Not bad, but not great, either.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 19:58:52 | More by womencantsail

andrewinski1

Maine

3.68/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks a bunch to SonicAlligator for this beer! Poured into a tulip. The color is dark amber. There is a small layer of medium tan bubbles on top of the body.

This smells similar to Adam; the aroma has a lot of vanilla and sweet caramel malt. There is a bit more fruity hop character in the nose, however.

The flavor really highlights a punchy, grapefruity character to go with the sweet caramel malt flavor. This is especially shown in the finish. There is a hint of tartness in the finish as well. The balance works well for me now, I'm not sure how it would age.

This beer drinks lighter than it actually is. There is a nice fluffy mouthfeel to go with it.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 01:44:42 | More by andrewinski1

beagle75

Iowa

3.68/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy, dark amber color with no foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Even-handed dark fruit, wood, spirit, and acids (lactic and acetic) evoke Flanders-style qualities at times. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins off-dry, with dark vinous fruit and restrained tartness before a brief spike in fusel alcohols. Yeast phenolics are exposed in the middle, eroding somewhat the solid foundation established early. Oak/bourbon/vanilla and honest chewy crystal malt emerge toward the finish, although resurgent vinous fruit lingers appealingly. Alcohol increases in overall influence gradually from beginning to finish.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, wet and balanced on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: A complex beer, with barrel and sour features that add interest--but stop short of being extreme or challenging. Some parts of the flavor profile are excellent, but the taste is undermined by the schizophrenic middle. Components don't quite meld into a seamless product, although the collection of parts are worth beholding.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 23:28:58 | More by beagle75

tut2528

Illinois

3.71/5  rDev -11%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

poured into Bruery snifter
big thanks to Beachstrength49 for this one!

A: deep caramel brown, with a subtle tint of ruby red when backlit. the pour created almost no head formation.

S: whoa! definitely not what I was expecting. Big sourness right up front, musty woody oak follows, with some alcohol (but not much). there's a hint of dark fruits, som e malty sweetness and an ever so slight hint of vanilla beans.

T: immensely sweet, yet tart at the same time. big Flander qualities really come through here. big malt, oak/wood barrels, tart cherries, vanilla finish. there is so much going on, and with every sip, a new flavor aspect is noticed. definitely one of the most palate changing beers I have ever had.

M: lighter side of medium bodied. and again the Flander aspect really takes hold and prevails in this aspect of the beer.

O: really don't know what to think about this. and the complexity is off the charts. this is extreme hard to lock down. its good, but there is so much going on that I feel that its off balanced. definitely glad to have tried this collaboration beer and, once again big shout out to Beachstrength49 for this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 23:30:17 | More by tut2528

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a medium brown color with a half finger head and decent lacing.

S: Sweet and sour. Nice sweet aromas from the barrel aging along with some sour fruit aromas. Oak and vanilla in there somewhere along with some wine.

T: Very complex mix of flavors here. Too much to talk about, but pretty enjoyable even though it becomes quite sour.

M: Medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: Just finished drinking this and read on the bottle that it's best after 4/30/13...oh well. I almost made it.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 01:08:46 | More by nUgZ

thebigredone

Wisconsin

3.81/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Hmm, interesting beer. A few too many competing flavors (in a bad way) for me to enjoy this. Starts out like an oud bruin, and then Adam's leathery, chocolatey flavors take over. The finish is an unpleasant acetic, slightly coppery tang. Interesting and complex, but the flavors just don't meld.

Edit - After having it for a second time at a tasting, it did seem a bit more harmonious, so I increased my rating. Still prefer the individual components to the blend.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:27:15 | More by thebigredone

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Perfectly clear deep copper/brick red. Almost no head. Drops to a tiny, tiny off-white collar. No carbonation.

Smell: Alcohol, all sorts of alcohol. Caramel and vanilla loaded with bourbon. Cognac pulls through. Nice rich oak. Touches of red wine. Toffee, deeply cooked and caramelized malts. Dark red fruits. Some cherry, plum, and grape. Straight up alcohol heat. Almost smells like rum in the back. Leather. Mildly acetic. Vague cocoa and chocolate. Sugary sweetness on the back. No hops.

Taste: First, take a shot of bourbon. Sharp bite of cognac and red wine. So many varieties of alcohol. Sweet caramel malt. Worn leather, touches of chocolate. Bourbon adds some vanilla and caramel and toffee. Backing acetic tartness. Earthy. Some backing char and smokiness. Touches of apple, peach, and orange. Very fruity. Floral. It's a massive hodgepodge of crazy flavor. Vague spiciness in the back. Some biscuit notes.

Mouthfeel: Almost no carbonation. Body is smooth, a touch creamy, and hits a nice solid medium.

Overall: Madness? This is Collage.

So much going on I can't really think through it all. 4 complex beers blended in so many barrels makes for an even more complex beer oddly enough. A bit too much without enough melding to truly be amazing.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 03:48:00 | More by Goblinmunkey7

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, served in my Lost Abbey tulip. Reviewed from notes I took last night.

Aside: Scoring this beer is difficult so read the review.

A: Ruby red in low light. Thin rim of lacing after I let the beer settle. Don't really get a lot of legs on the glass.

S: Dissident through and through. Pinot noir grapes, tannins, oak, cherry. This is vinous to the point where it would be at home in the wine tasting rooms in the Willamette valley.

T: Sweet and sour. As tart as the nose is, there's a remarkable presence of the other beers here. Cherry, acetone, pomegranate, cranberry. As this warms up, I get more pepper which I'd guess is from the rye whiskey and leather which I'd attribute to the pinot noir and the Adam. Definitely some funk here. After letting this sit, Fred starts to show up with its caramel/toffee sweetness. In fact, the Hair of the Dog beers are both really evident to me after about 10 minutes, but only if you let the beer sit on your tongue for a few seconds.

M: Well carbonated and prickly. No faults here, especially considering the density of several of the base beers. I also have to tip my hat. There's no alcohol hit at nearly 12%.

O: This is very, very complex. It's very easy to spend a lot of time contemplating the skill it took to make and blend this, and knowing Alan's tendencies towards sours, I'm not surprised at how this tastes. If you liked Fred Flanders from the Wood, or for our non-Oregonian friends, Earthmonk, this will be right up your alley.

But...This is really Dissident and friends, and as such becomes very difficult to score. I like it more than Fred Flanders and Michael, but at the same time, I'm leery of putting this over a 4 overall. It is a totally unique experience, and there's going to be a wide range of reactions, but I think a number of people are going to be let down that this isn't so much more after the interminable 2 year wait. This is my current position; my opinion continues to change when I think of what I drank.

Who knows what this is going to be like in a year, either. The other 3 beers in the blend could blossom, or the wild yeast could swallow this mixture alive.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 14:50:59 | More by writerLJBerg