Rosie - Lakefront Brewery, Inc.

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - The body is a very attractive red color that begs to be seen. The head is a perfect white and rather quick-lived considering it took the bartender two trips to the tap to get the beer poured. According to her the brew is highly carbonated.

S - The scent is exactly how I would expect it to be. The only factor not lending it to a perfect score is the sourness in the aroma could be a bit stronger.

T - The flavors here are very interesting. Tastes of malt, nut, pear, and alcohol. Not as sour as I would have anticipated but then again, despite the label, this is not a sour. It's listed on the Lakefront Brewery website as a Kreik. If this beer is truely suppose to be listed here as a lambic I'd say it fits the style relatively well. If they were going for sour, I'd say it needs more time to mature.

M - The feel is nice and dry, slightly coarse and rather crisp.

~ For me this is a one and done while the beer is at this stage in its life. I really like the opportunity this beer offers. It being at 9% abv gives it a chance to grow in the bottle. If I see a bottle on a shelf here in Central Wisconsin I'll pick one up for the cellar.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2012 01:40:00 | More by cdkrenz

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Wow, an A- average on this one.

On tap at the Alchemy. Served in a goblet.

Served to the brim of the glass so no head. I can live with that. Color is a grapefruit ruby.

Aroma: Fresh cherries, oak, lite tartness, not sour though, and a medicinal flavor.

Taste: A huge medicinal flavor up front with some cherries after that. A bit of oak with vanilla and spice. Ends with a bit of alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Tart with a fizzy feel to it. Low to medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends clean with medicinal flavors in the aftertaste.

Overall, I was not very impressed with this kriek. Good to have a beer like this on tap, but just not something I would seek out again. Way to much medicinal flavors in this beer. Somewhat drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2010 20:41:02 | More by mothman

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draft. At the Alchemy over GTOM weekend. Reddish color with slight head. Cherry aroma. Tart cherry notes upfront followed by slow transition to a medicinal taste not unlike bandaids. For 9% you really don't pick up too much of the alcohol taste. Light mouthfeel.Tasty but the medicinal flavors were kind of a turnoff for me. Would drink again though.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 13:51:52 | More by kbutler1

Beerfayce

Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a snifter

A: Bright red but not cloudy, no head present when it was served to me.

S: Sour fruit background, funk and sweetness with the distinct wild "band-aid" smell.

T: Tart fruit and funk in balance here, sourness and barnyard earth of the Brett as the taste develops. The finish is slightly dry.

M: well carbonated with a dryness that is pleasant, not a heavy bodied beer.

D: An enjoyable sour, it doesn't have an intense flavor profile but is well balanced. Not overly sweet and without hints of unpleasant medicinal tastes make it easy to drink and return to.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2010 20:11:02 | More by Beerfayce

levifunk

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at the malt house.

a - red, white head

s - sweet fruit. some earthy notes.

t - cherry. sour, but not that noticeable. grassy clove flavor

m - med/light body. good carbonation

o - glad to try it, but not something to go crazy over. could use some more sour kick. easy to drink and no where near 9%.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2010 14:05:36 | More by levifunk

dirtylou

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

intrigued by this one - generous pours for $4 at the malt house

appearance: served in a nice unmarked tulip - pinkish amber body, beige crest with light retention, active carbonation

smell: great nose - oak is the heavy hitter, brett yeast is strong, tart cherries

taste: Rosie is heavy on the oak, which i enjoy. Tart cherrys slice the tongue first, followed by the oak and yeasty funk. There is just something in the finish that doesnt taste right

mouthfeel: moderately tart, well balanced, strong carbonation

drinkability: pretty good

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2010 14:39:44 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown with a general ruby aura topped with a fleeting beige foam that doesn't endure but leaves remnants of lace.
Black cherry rings loudly on the nose, backed with caramel and a tart dollop of balsamic vinegar. Oak brings light traces of buttery vanilla, hazelnuts, and drying tannins.
Across the mouth, caramel and bright, sweet-tart cherries call loudly. Oak peeks out and adds vanilla and toast and lightly buttered nuts. A tart turn midway brings acetic acid, balsamic vinegar and pithy raspberries. No alcohol is even thought of.
Sleek, medium full bodied, with a sheering sourness that gives the impression of something smaller than it is.
It's tart cherries first, with a gob of sweetness, then more sour to follow. Pretty well done and pretty much as advertised. It may lack a tad in overall depth, but it's plenty drinkable and equally fun.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2010 08:18:12 | More by cokes

botham

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

on tap at the Sugar Maple pourd into a snifter. pours a flat chestnut rouge color with no head and a soapy rim that leaves no lacings.

aroma is of mild bret sourness with fruity undertones and apple/cherry notes. overall well proportioned and pleasant in the nose.

taste follows the nose with a bit of a flat character. overall the brew is a bit flabby on the palate with a lack of character when compared to the aroma. the beer was nearing the end of the barrel, so this would most likely explain the flabby quality.

mouthfeel is medium bodied with a tart texture on the palate and a lightly sour lingering finish.

drinkability is underwhelming. pleasant in the nose with a nice mixture of sour notes and fruit notes, but in the end it falls apart on the palate. might be better with a bit more flavor and presence on the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2009 00:50:48 | More by botham

blackie

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 from my boy lou, thanks lou, cellared for awhile, entered from notes

a: poured into a tall allagash weizen glass, the beer is a deep honeyed amber in color with a slight rose tint, each pour explodes with building carbonation, requiring a couple attempts to fill the glass, a chunky head retains well and leaves good lace

s: funk makes the first move on the nose - wild with some really good barnyard character - damp hay and sun bathed livestock stalls, fresh mushrooms, pungent for sure but not exploring the more offensive range of the territory, oak aromas fit in very nicely, clean malts infused with cherry, fermented fallen fruit, aged papery hops, complimentary alcohol, very nice

m: carbonation slightly prickly, but only nudging towards the high side of moderate, body light and crisp

t: considerable wild character throughout well integrated with a clean, dry malt base infused with fermented cherries, the nose shows more barnyard range, but there’s a nice tart fallen fruit, sunny stall character here, some touches of oak on the back end, drying with an acidic touch to the finish, papery hops

o: a well-crafted sour, the wild yeasts hit especially well on the nose, drinks especially well for the abv, good effort by Lakefront

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 02:20:51 | More by blackie

ehammond1

California

3.25/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottle (2012)

Acquired via trade

(Aged for 2 years)

A very murky cherry and cranberry in color with very little visible carbonation. Leaves the glass oily on the way down.

Lots of sweet cherries make up the bulk of the aroma (not tart or sour cherries), some sweet vanilla, oak, and a bit of funky, mildly stinky cheese.

The flavor is similar to the aroma, with lots of sweet cherries making up the bulk of the flavor, along with vanilla and a bit of cheese. Low bitterness. Drinkable and enjoyable.

Medium bodied with very low carbonation. The alcohol is remarkably well hidden.

Good enough, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 23:21:08 | More by ehammond1

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.15/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I got this from BeerFMAndy over two years ago in one of my very first trades. Thanks Andy!

Once I removed the cage, the cork shot off like a bullet. OMG!

A: Poured with a head that resembled dish soap and the brew was pretty murky and resembled a cross between pureed cherries and tomato juice.

S: I got the woodiness from the brett, the sour cherries, a big vinegar component. The lactose succulence (ala. Russian River) was sorely lacking.

T: The taste was WAY off on this. Band-Aide stuff for sure and without any brightness to the cherries. Seriously, based on the smell, I thought this would have been just a bit more acidic, but it simply wasn't in the least.

M: The creaminess was pretty good, but I didn't get any sour funk coating the palate (I was wanting this!). The carbonation was a bit too high for my taste.

O: Wow, I've been holding on to this bottle all this time and it truly turned out to be a major letdown. C'est le vie...

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 00:56:54 | More by Chaney

Khazadum

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A minor collar despite the cask pour. good light raspberry color, pure white collar.

Cherry pits, lightly cherry juice, bits of sulfur. Bland. Not a great kriek.

Flavors... Light cherry, bit of that oaken vanilla, finishes dry cherry pits. Low tannic quality of tongue depressers.

Body is mild, thin, unappealing. Watery. Just blase.

Serving type: cask

03-04-2012 00:29:01 | More by Khazadum

waltersrj

Washington

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pour: Bright pink/orange with a fizzy white sparkling champagne head. Big gusher, watch out!

Nose: Dry oak, slightly tart cherry, Brett and banana, clove, and must.

Taste: Semi sweet, not tart. Cherry, clove, Belgian yeast, drying oak finish.

Mouthfeel: Sparkling and fizzy and drying on the end.

Overall: One dimensional. Enjoyable but not that great really.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 06:32:04 | More by waltersrj

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.05/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought as one of the last 2 bottles from Gary's beer and Liquor in Oak Creek.
Poured into a tulip glass.
This beer is such a rare find even around Milwaukee that I decided it was the perfect opportunity for me to finally right up and post my first review!

A- Pours a light pinkish Thick bubbling head reminiscent almost of champagne at first that slowly dissipates down to a final thin layer that lingers. The color is a thick pinkish amber and there is scare light penetration.

S- The smell that hit me when I first uncorked the bottle reminded me of old musty cardboard, I thought it was the cork however the smell seems to have lingered somewhat after I've poured it into the glass. There is a somewhat faint sent of cherries accompanied with what smells like Belgian yeast. I find the smell to be very reminiscent of the Belgian triple I just had the night before.

T-My first impression upon tasting this was that it seemed almost tasteless aside from the lingering sour/tart sting it gave my mouth. It almost has made me wonder if there was something wrong with my tongue almost as if I can't taste. Upon My second taste I find that the cherry tartness seems to be very faint just like the smell implied.

M-It has a fizzy coarse like mouth feel that just keeps making me think of champagne and soda. The sourness hits and leaves a slight burn upon the tongue right away and then finishes with another short but intense sour burn at the end.

O- Since this is my first lambic I find it to be very unique to any other beer I've ever tried before. It is very refreshing and drinkable much like the rest of lake front's beers. I feel like New Glarus's Wisconsin Belgian Red is better in terms of looking for a good cherry flavor. Nice and sour. Overall Lakefront has made another great beer that doesn't disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 03:27:53 | More by Zachtheporter

htomsirveaux

Texas

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle tried 20 Oct 2010. Courtesy of ratatat & S, thanks! Served in the 0.4 L Steiner Pils glass.

Very large tight pink head. Well carbonated. Cloudy amber rose color. Aroma pours out of the bottle as it's opened, tart cherries and oak, possibly cedar, woody and herbal. Doesn't start as tart as the aroma would indicate. Starts sweet-tart, becoming a bit drier in the middle. Moderately sour. Woody/oaky finish. Aroma becomes a bit sweeter as the beer warms. Aftertaste is a lingering sour-tart cherryness. Medium body, mild ethanol.

A sour that doesn't melt your face off.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 04:13:29 | More by htomsirveaux

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I almost got wounded opening this beer... The cage was loosened and the cork came flying out at my face. I had no time to react. OPEN THIS BEER WITH CAUTION!

poured into pint glass.

Appearance: medium red bodied beer with a white head. Huge head with a gentle pour. Decent amount of lacing.

Smell: Decent smell of cherries, not much funk noted. Mild oak notes.

Taste: Semi-sweet cherries upfront. Really mild funky notes. Little bit of oak and vanilla in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Really high carbonation levels and a light bodied beer. Finishes clean and dry. Its an easy drinking sour. Almost drinks like a cherry champaign.

Overall: Nice effort by Lakefront. I think this is the first Lambic they have brewed. It is a great beer for an introduction to a newbie for sour beers. I would be interested in seeing more lambics from lakefront.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 05:42:58 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance – Pours into a tulip with a slightly darker copper red. Massive amounts of bright white fizzy head is achieved with a careful pour. The head dissipates quickly leaving spotty lacing.

Smell – Slight oak, cherries, and brett. A hint of malty backbone.

Taste – Tart cherries, brett, and oak. Odd medicinal flavor (read cherry robitussin) and vanilla with some alcohol at the end.

Mouthfeel – Insane fizz, lighter bodied, ends clean.

Overall – The beer started out promising, but ended up being a miss. Would not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 23:40:18 | More by SpdKilz

womencantsail

California

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Mark for this one.

A: The beer pours a deep ruby red color with a huge pinkish colored head.

S: There is a mild funk to the beer with a big time grass aroma, light blue cheese, and some mild sulfur. The aroma is fairly tart, with a decent level of fruitiness--mostly cherries since this is a "kriek".

T: Most of the flavor comes from the cherries. There is only a light tartness and mild grass. Just a hint of oak and funkiness. It doesn't have that same cheesiness to it, but it also lacks the metal and sulfur notes. A slight fruit/cherry sweetness, too.

M: The body is medium with a high level of carbonation.

O: Just an okay sour, sort of what I was expecting, to be honest.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 18:39:43 | More by womencantsail

bradner

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml poured into a tulip.

A - Fairly clear, reddish amber color with some white head that has some red tones as well. Lots of bubbles in this one - champagne like.

S - Some dried cherries, some barnyard scents, and oak.

T - Some brett funk, dry cherry taste, oak, very slight sweetness, some tartness, and a hint of vanilla.

M - A lot of carbonation here, like I said earlier, champagne like. Thin tasting, finishes dry with a slight tartness.

D - I would have liked a bit more sweetness in this one. Overall, enjoyable and the price was fantastic for the quality.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 02:02:25 | More by bradner

birchstick

Missouri

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

A - pours a reddish amber color with a fizzy, half finger head

S - smells of sweet cherries some spicy oak and a bit of earthy funk.

T - sweet caramel malt and citrus tones open this up. Hidden beneath these are hints of caramelized oak that transitions to a nice cherry flavor, albeit not as strong as the name and description would imply. Finished sours with the Brett funkiness complementing the sour tones. Pretty decent.

M - nice full body with an almost champagne like bubble ending to it. Pretty nice

D - this was a good sour ale, but I was hoping for a bit more from the cherry department. Would I buy it again, maybe, maybe not, however I enjoyed the effort and took it down rather easily.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 23:18:34 | More by birchstick

anell213

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cork and cage bottle into a flute.

A: Looks like a reddish orangeish champagne. Too much head on the first pour, wow.

S: Not an overly powerful smell, but get some cherry, lemon, wood, brett.

T: Not what I expected, but good. I expected a lot of cherry, and while I'm getting some, I get more funky brett. Good though.

M: Drinks like a champagne.

O: Might not seek out again, but glad I'm drinking it. I personally would have liked a little more fruit, but maybe that's because I assumed that's what it was going to be like.

Probably shouldn't be listed as a Fruit-Lambic. Says on the bottle Roeselare, so should be Flanders Red.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 23:14:26 | More by anell213

alcstradamus

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to the ''King Of Beers'' Andy for letting me take his bottle home

Pours a nice red/orange color with an out of control head that forces multiple pours to fill the glass.

The aroma is musty as fuck, wet clothes in the corner of a dirty attic stank. Notes of lemon zest, slight cherry sweetness, pear, and a final wave of that must. Excellent.

The flavor starts out with some biting orange/lemon/pear fruitiness and band aid strap. A pair of dirty gym socks clogs my mouth after I swallow. Cherries aren't really noticeable despite what the bottle says. I don't really care, because its fine without them. Lots of dry oakiness in the finish causes the back of my throat to tickle.

The body is medium and carbonation is extremely high. Overall this beer is stellar....probably the best wild beer I've had yet out of the state of Wisconsin. If the next batch can add some sourness I think I would make love to the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 01:56:59 | More by alcstradamus

Mora2000

Texas

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

Thanks to Exiled for sharing this beer. Always nice to try another sour beer.

The beer pours a pinkish-amber color with a white head. The aroma is heavy on the tart cherries with some caramel malt. The brett used in the brewing process contributes a nice aroma to the beer. The flavor is very nice as well. I get a lot of cherries, as well as some oak and vanilla notes. The caramel malt is present as well. Light tartness and very refreshing. My one complaint is that the carbonation is extremely high. It is very prickly and hurts the drinking process. Medium mouthfeel. Other than the carbonation, this beer is very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 21:02:40 | More by Mora2000

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presented in a brown, 750 ML corked and caged bottle and poured into a champagne flute. No bottled date.

Pours a blush red with light orange-amber highlights. Produces a magnificently frothy pink eggshell head with admirable retention and ample sticky lacing.

Aromas of apple cider, sour cherries and spiced yeast. Musty funk and band aid in the background.

Sour cherries melded with tart cranberry and apple cider up front, followed by hints of balsamic vinegar and spiced yeast. Earthy and woodsy oak notes surface. Slightly dry on the finish. Crisp and creamy mouthfeel with profoundly expressive carbonation. 9% ABV flies completely under the radar.

Exceptional balance between brightness and sourness of the fruit profile. Complex, extremely drinkable and very near to perfection.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 03:15:24 | More by CaptainIPA

dragonWhale

New York

2.93/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

these things! they happen!

beautiful red with a bountiful pillow. looks very sexy.
Rosie smells like she's trying to cover up with cherry perfume, but I can smell her BO, that barnyard background. Acetic acid showing up here too.
Tastes nice, but not quite there. The acetic acid and wood astringency cut into this beer. The cherry is there, potent and desirous. The sweet/sour ratio is very nice, just that the type of sour is pretty gross. Sad, but not a bad beer by any means.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 07:31:56 | More by dragonWhale