Derailed Black Cherry Ale - Erie Brewing Co.

tdm168

North Carolina

3.56/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - orangish gold with a big, soapy, soft, white head that has decent retention

S - grainy with some faint cherry notes

T - cereal grains, sweet, black cherry syrup

M - a bit sticky, medium bodied, crisp

This concept has potential. I like the creaminess of the beer and the cereal grains seem spot on. Had real black cherries been used this would probably be a hit. As it is the artificiality of the cherry flavoring is off putting. I'm glad I tried it, but I won't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 16:39:57 | More by tdm168

chinchill

South Carolina

3.46/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an undated 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: slightly hazy pale copper with a faint reddish tint. The small white head dissipates rather rapidly leaving just a ring and decent lacing.

Smell: light, sweet malt aroma with a subtle cherry character that seems more natural than artificial.

Taste: light malt flavor with a fair bit of sweetness. The cherry is less subtle, and more tart (thankfully) than anticipated from the nose. Still, (acceptably) sweet overall.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body; medium carbonation; smooth. Nice, but seems too watery.

Overall: a decent and refreshing cherry ale; just don’t expect a lambic or kriek. Not really a cream ale either,

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 00:20:59 | More by chinchill

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours an odd color not red but not amber. Has a slightly pinkish tint to foamy top.slight lacing down glass.

S: Aroma is of big sweet cherries light malts and little if any hop, if its there I dont smell it.

T: Taste is at first malt which slides into a sweet cherry wine type taste.

M: Mouthfeel is of a medium body and good carbonation level.

O: Overall an all around decent beer, had no idea what to expect. Really hoped it would not taste like a cooler which it does not to me has a beer taste and feel.Would drink this again in a heartbeat.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 23:24:45 | More by nukem5

Mordkanin

1.98/5  rDev -37.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

It basically tastes and smells like carbonated apple juice. No sour notes whatsoever, so it doesn't even have a nice hard cider appeal.

I'm not getting any cherry from it. Finished two bottles, served in a pint glass. Overall, pretty disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 01:43:00 | More by Mordkanin

jucifer1818

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +42%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Had this at tallahssee brewfest.

My rating is overall very high, and their is a reason for this. This beer claims to taste black cherry like.
Ive never had a beer that claimed to be "cherry" do anything cut suck and have a grattey chemicly taste....

this one actually tastes like a cherry beer should taste. For that, Ive give it a lot of credit.
If you want to have something cherry like that doesn't taste like cough syrup, give it a shot!
you wont be dissipointed

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 17:28:02 | More by jucifer1818

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from the IGA in Potsdam NY for 2$

Appearance – Slightly hazy gold colour with a huge size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for around 4-5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Grains/wheat, citric acid, tart cherries

Taste & Mouth - The beer has a ton of carbonation - bubbles bouncing all over the place; almost like a seltzer. I can taste grains/bread mixed with citric acid and tart cherries. There is also a bit of butterscotch/caramel and a rustiness. It ends with a tart aftertaste.

Overall – An interesting beer.. not really what I was expecting. There isn't as much cherry flavour but maybe that's a good thing. It's got shades of a sour beer, so fans of that style might enjoy this beer. The mouthfeel is off, but other than that it's a beer worth trying once.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 23:50:37 | More by spinrsx

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.8/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a lightly hazy golden orange color with a small white head. The head faded fast leaving a light lacing.

Smell – Aromas of a malty base mixed with cherry are the most prominent. With these are some lighter aromas of yeast and some banana.

Taste – The flavor begins of a sweeter cherry and lighter malt base. As it moves on the sweetness fades slightly but by no means does the cherry flavor becomes more dry. Toward the middle and the end of the taste notes of vanilla shinning through and create a palatable flavor on the tongue that lingers on.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was rather average with the carbonation level being slightly above. Both were quite fitting for the sweeter and fruitier flavors of the beer, making it more refreshing on the tongue.

Overall – While on the sweeter side this was a very tasty and refreshing beer. One that is good on a summer day and one well worth a try if you have never had it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2012 00:25:03 | More by Darkmagus82

jtierney89

New Jersey

1.65/5  rDev -47.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Clear golden color with a sticky 2 finger head. Subtle nose of biscuits with lightly sugared cherry jam.

Creamy mouthfeel. Sweet biscuit graininess up front followed by a subtle floral and earthy hop presence. Finishes with just a touch of cherry tartness. Lingering black cherries in the mouth but nothing too overbearing. Nice feeling in the mouth but a little too much lingering sweetness. Also, its a little boring, even for a fruit beer which usually have some interesting qualities be it good or bad.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 03:45:20 | More by jtierney89

flagmantho

Washington

3.65/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: slightly hazy pale-orange hue with a very light pinkish cast. There's a moderate effervescence and a finger of frothy white foam, which seems to be dissipating rather rapidly. Not too bad.

Smell: light, sweet malt aroma with a good cherry character. It's a bit on the sweet side but the fruit smells quite natural. I like it.

Taste: light malt flavor with a fair bit of sweetness. The cherry here is tasty enough, but it just doesn't feel correctly balanced. There needs to be either a lot more or a bit less fruit character. I like it, but I don't love it.

Mouthfeel: medium-light mouthfeel with a big carbonation and concomitantly good creaminess. I like it.

Overall: this beer isn't perfect, but I'm partial to cherries so I can overlook some of its flaws. I think it would be better classified as a fruit beer than a cream ale, though, as the cream ale character is absolutely buried here.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 00:55:01 | More by flagmantho

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint: Light golden-orange, clear & slightly hazy, with a finger of head that drops quickly, leaves a dusting & collar.

Banana & clove in the aroma, very weizen-like, a little vanilla. No cherry to be found, slightly musty, hay.

Taste is initially wheaty, too, gummy. Then comes the cherry, with a moderate balance of sweet candy & tart finish, not overly cloying. Finish is a little gummy again, a little cherry in the aftertaste.

Medium-light-bodied, a little thickening & sweet but ends pretty smoothly with getting too sticky.

Nicely light but flavorful fruited beer that's neither hitting you over the head nor taste weak & artificial.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 00:37:28 | More by OneDropSoup

match1112

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

a quarter inch of bright white fizz settles onto a bright tangerine colored body. other than sweet cherry medicine aromas there isnt much going on in the nose. once more the sweet cherry overpowers the tastebuds, but there is a hint of some citrus from hops in there as well. mouthfeel is a little thin and the carbonation seems to be lacking a touch. overall this is drinkable if you like a dominate cherry flavor, if not, grab one anyway it's not that bad.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 01:33:00 | More by match1112

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

tap

Pours a hazy reddish brown with a white lacing.

Smells of tart and sweet cherry over barley malt.

Flavor is sweet/tart cherry over somewhat bitter lager-like barley malt flavor.

Medium body with light carbonation.

Overall, interesting but not great. Glad I tried it, probably won't try it again. I was expecting the sweetness to come through more in the taste. That it didn't might be a good thing or a bad thing.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 20:58:40 | More by Cylinsier

maximum12

Minnesota

3.08/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Looking for something light & airy to start the night off with & this has a single digit next to the ABV...I just don't have enough of that kind of beer in the fridge right now. Thanks to stormking47 for this extra. 12 oz. bottle shared with my wife.

Pour is a light burnt sienna...I have too many crayons in my house. Minimal carbonation. Even with an angry swirl I can't coax much stink off this brew other than a bit of light grain. Huh.

Derailed treads well-stamped ground in the kinda artificial fruitiness territory. Light black cherry is up front but not obnoxious, light sweet malts and, well, that's it. Very quiet, simple beer. Drinkability is the strong point here.

I feared this beer would veer into cough syrup territory, but it's quite restrained. Not much to it, no obvious flaws, certainly decent enough.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 01:38:53 | More by maximum12

cjgator3

Florida

2.85/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle

A- Poured into a pint glass. Pours a golden amber color with a huge off-white head with great retention and lacing. 

S- The first thing I smell with this beer is the toasted malts.  The black cherry notes are a nice compliment to the malt in the aroma.

T- The black cherry flavors stand out in the taste immediately. The taste is definitely on the sweet side, the sweetness surprised me a little bit at first, I was expecting something more on the dry side. There's not much hops in the finish, just a lingering sweetness in the finish.

M- the mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

O- Overall, this beer was not horrible but the sweetness was just too much for me. 

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 03:11:51 | More by cjgator3

Drew966

Florida

3/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Derailed Black Cherry Ale pours a hazy amber with a thick white head from a brown twelve ounce bottle. The aroma is grainy with a hint of sweetness. The flavor is grainy and perhaps a bit metallic at first. This is a light bodied, mildly cherry flavored beer. Not particularly good and doesn't compare particularly well to other fruit flavored beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 21:20:07 | More by Drew966

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Not bad for what it is, they threw some artificial cherry flavoring into a cream ale (a popular style up north in these parts) with Genny's Cream ale, and other Canadian versions making some sales. This is a niche beer for those that like this style, and it actually works it's drinkable, pours a pink tinted golden amber hue with a light pink head. Minimal lacing. Aromatics tart cherry with a bread malt base with some cooked veggies and herbal notes. Flavor was sweet but not cloying tart cherries in addition to a nice light cream ale base. Mouthfeel a bit strong with carbonation a bit sweet but drinks smooth, will be popular with the ladies. In closing it's not my style but I always try to give a fair shake to local PA beers especially one like Erie that I've been drinking since I've found good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 21:45:13 | More by WVbeergeek

Immortale25

Florida

3.33/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured into a Delirium Tremens snifter. No readable fresgbess date.

A- Pours a light copper color with a 1/4 inch head that wastes no time passing away to a thin ring around the edge of the glass and very little surface foam. Average lacing.

S- Mild cherry smell up against some light malt.

T- Artificial fruit flavor that’s surprisingly not too sweet and doesn’t taste like cough syrup, both of which are pluses. Hardly any bitterness to speak of and doesn’t have an especially strong malt base. Sweet raisin aftertaste.

M- Pretty standard. Feels more like a lager. Medium-low carbonation.

O- Easy to drink but also not exciting to drink. At least it doesn’t suck.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 00:19:26 | More by Immortale25

WrathsU

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a brilliantly clear light golden body with just a hint of ruby. Small white head that dissipates quickly, lacing is minimal.

S - A big dose of sweet malt up front. Cherry flavor is moderate which is great since I would hate an overpowering or underwhelming smell. Maybe a slight touch of bread towards the end. Not a lot of complexity but good enough.

T - Sweet cherry up front and it transforms into some tart cherry afterwards. A nice malt backbone helps keep the fruit in check and there is even some nice noble hop flavor in here as well. Perhaps the cherry should be toned just a bit as it is overall pretty sweet.

M - Light-medium body with good carbonation levels and no perceivable alcohol heat.

O - Overall it is a solid beer. I'm not a huge sweet beer fan so it's just a bit overboard for me but even so it's quite good. I think they balanced it pretty well with the malt and hop profiles.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 23:15:23 | More by WrathsU

shand

Florida

3.53/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

This is the second chance I've tried this beer. First time, the bottle was obviously old, it gushed out the bottle as soon as I opened it and did not smell good at all. This time, it was in as new stock, so I jumped on the chance to try it, given my obscene love for black cherry soda. Pours a golden color with a small head. Aroma is mild, grainy, and sweet, with a touch of cherry. The taste has a bit more of the cherry in it, along with the aformentioned sweet, grainy malts. There's not too many other dimensions in here, it's a pretty simple brew. I wouldn't mind more cherry flavor, it's present on the beginning and leaves a slight lingering flavor, but for a "black cherry ale", I expected more fruit. The mouthfeel is satisfying, with a nice level of carbonation, and the drinkability is good. It's an alright brew, I can't help but want something more though.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 04:26:09 | More by shand

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My boss brought back a bottle of Derailed from Eric Brewing from his annual Xmas trip to PA. The DBCA poured a clear copper color with fizzy white head that is not lacing. The smell includes hints of cherry...very mild. The taste has a cherry flavor to it and very light malt. The mouthfeel was a lighter bodied ale with good carbonation. Overall it isnt bad, just dont think I could make an evening out of drinking just this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 02:40:27 | More by WoodBrew

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very light color, odd considering it is a black cherry ale. Crystal clear.

I don't smell much out of this beer, smells like watered down apple or grape juice.

Clean and refreshing. Tastes like apples and cherries along with a subtle hop and malt bill. There seems to be a clean juice taste without fruit skins, which contributes to how it feels. Subtle feel, no tannis, watery and light. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 05:12:25 | More by Doppelbockulus

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a golden color with a fizzy white head on top. Not much retention or lacing here. The smell of the beer was pretty heavy on the cherry. The taste of the beer was also pretty big on the cherry too. It's a sweet cherry flavor not a tart one which I personally enjoy. The mouthfeel of the beer was light and refreshing. Overall this brew wasn't terrible, but nothing too exciting either.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 02:39:54 | More by Knapp85

asabreed

New York

3.4/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: A light peach color with some orange thrown in, a lot of carbonation, and a decent off-white head, leaving some nice lacing and drops around the top of the glass.

Smell: The corn and sugar sweetness is there, along with some grain aromas, and finally some syrupy light black cherry or lighter blackberry.

Taste: Going along with the aroma, there's some sugar sweetness and light black cherry, seemingly syrup, and lingering semi-sweetness. Soda-esque, but somehow not as bad as I'd anticipated for a brew like this, and easy-drinking.

Mouthfeel: Lighter-bodied and fairly creamy, and the levels seem to be just right to handle the sweetness.

Drinkability: For what it is, this isn't a bad brew, though I don't think I could have more than maybe two max in a session. And as far as fruit beers, which I'd also consider this, I'd rather drink this than many others out there, and I'm pretty sure my wife's going to like this and agree with me on that point.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 19:37:36 | More by asabreed

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

P- Al's of Hampden

A- a cream soda like color. Minimal head and light lacing. Quite clear and carbonated.

S- sour tart cherry smell. mild caramel malt and wheat smell hints at the nose.

T- a dark cherry tart flavor that is actually half decent. The flavor complements the sweet malts as well. It reminds me of a cherry jolly rancher that is melted.

M- light-bodied and tartness coats the mouth. Smooth and crisp.

O- i was actually impressed and i do like this beer. Erie has hits and misses but this is a hit. A nice sixer for a fall leaf raking is nice.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 18:44:22 | More by Dodo2step

BEERchitect

Kentucky

2.98/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Nicely balanced and medium flavored throughout, this generally non-descript ale places cherry fruit at the forefront for interest, sweetness, and tartness. A very sensible fruit beer.

Pouring a clear medium amber color, the beer releases a white medium-dense blanket of foam that reduces to a broken sheet across the surface and with minimal lacing.

Grainy sweet aromas of thin caramel, raw barley, and sweet scents become a firm and amplified character for fruit notes of black cherry, plumbs, and prunes. Low hop rates might allow for the faintest herbal scent to rise through the fruity and malt aromas.

Grainy sweetness also carry the aromas with a simple sugar sweetness and herbal flavor that reminds me of fruited teas. Black cherries become the focal point of flavor with obvious fruit additions, but other fruit flavors of plumb, prune, apple, and grape may be spin offs from the cherries or a character of yeasty esters. Low hop bitterness allows for the cherry flavor and sugar sweetness to carry deep into the finish.

Medium bodied with early but fleeting creaminess leads to an extended sticky-sweet feel that's nearly void of dryness and only modest crispness. A terse alcohol warmth helps but only to a slight degree.

Tasty, but nearly in the same was as are wine coolers or fruit flavored soda pops. The undefined base beer, slighted hop character, and syrup deriven cherry flavor causes the beer to side more closely with alcoholic soda pops than real ales.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 03:55:43 | More by BEERchitect