Petit Mutant
The Alchemist Pub & Brewery

Petit MutantPetit Mutant
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From:
The Alchemist Pub & Brewery
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Wild Ale
ABV:
7.7%
Score:
95
Avg:
4.43 | pDev: 7.45%
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
23
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 27, 2012
Added:
Aug 26, 2005
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  2
This American-style wild ale is fermented with 3 strains of Brettanomyces, 1000 pounds of montmorency cherries and aged briefly in Pinot Noir casks.

2 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by youbrewidrink:
Photo of youbrewidrink
Reviewed by youbrewidrink from Vermont

4.58/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm really glad this beer is back.

A gorgeous ruby color with a long lasting pinkish head.

A bit of funk and cherry in the aroma.

The cherries give this a tart yet satisfying taste with just enough funk. If sours are what you crave this will fit the bill. A nice amount of carbonation.

Very drinkable, abv very well masked.
Feb 08, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by phingdong from New Hampshire

Dec 27, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by tubbnik from Pennsylvania

Dec 08, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by Pamola from Vermont

Nov 22, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire

Nov 18, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by shufon from New York

Nov 15, 2011
Photo of Drazzamatazz
Reviewed by Drazzamatazz from Maine

3.98/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
This batch was 8%, and I want to say it was like 2 IBUs?

A: Gorgeous red glow from the small snifter. Pink grapefruit like active head due to carbonation level. Most people at my table did a double take at the appearance, they didn't know beer could look this way.

S: Here's the Brett I was missing so much from the Whonky. No mistaking the Montmorency cherries in this one either. This one smells like its going to be sweet and fruity, but the funky yeast keeps coming back to remind you all is not as it seems. Skating along through it all is a slight bit of sherry vinegar. Upon some digging I pulled up a very minor amount of soapiness.

T: Instantly surprised by a metallic taste, very much reminding me of Monk's Cafe Flemish Red. Started off sweet and fruity but then turned acetic and funky from the yeast. There was some off flavor that I couldn't identify, it wasn't off putting, just out of place. For a second I thought it might be almost like a cherry cough drop, but that wasn't really it. After a few sips I noticed the finish was very tannic.

M: Nice juicy mouthfeel but still drying due to the tannic nature. Extremely drinkable with the 8% ABV well hidden.

O: Not as complex as I had hoped it was going to be given the description and my first smell, but a great beer for someone just getting into sours or not even yet into beer. Represented everything it should, if just not in the right amount. I got a sense it was very much like Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus in the sense that it starts off very sweet and fruity but would develop and sour-up nicely with time.
May 08, 2011
Photo of musicforairports
Reviewed by musicforairports from New York

4.03/5  rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at The Alchemist in a small snifter.

Very clear and cherry red, with some bubbles moving through it. Big head leaves a bunch of lacing.

Smells of cherries, a bit tart, with underlying Brett funk.

Taste is less funky than the aroma but still complex. Cherries hit first, a bit sweet but not too sweet, and turn pretty tart in the middle. Taste finishes tart, with the Brett and all its associated barnyard flavors. The taste is tart but not barrel-aged-level sour at all.

Medium body leaves lingering cherry flavors on the tongue.

A good showcase of cherry flavors and Brett. I was hoping for something a bit more sour, but this was very enjoyable.
May 02, 2011
Photo of Kkottonmouthkngz
Reviewed by Kkottonmouthkngz from Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Finally made it to The Alchemist, and glad i didnt wait any longer.
This arrives a beautiful ruby red with a one finger head. Lacing is left all over the glass once it depletes.
What a hell of a nose, with cherry, fruit punch (kind of kool-aid) ish, and just the right amount of tartness. Absolutely love it.
The flavor backs off slightly from what the nose gives you, (however still solid) and really lets the sourness shine. It lingers just enough to make its presence known, and begs you take another sip, let alone order another one. The cherries truly are wonderful here, and i think its the best expression of the fruit ive seen in beer. Absolutely stellar.
Apr 30, 2011
Photo of ElGallo
Reviewed by ElGallo from New Hampshire

4.32/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Popped in for dinner with chowdahead, hoping to find some Heady Topper or saison, but we were very happy to get to sample this instead.

Light ruby color with a pale white head. Smells of tart cherries, some funk, even a little citrus. The taste is superb: smooth cherry notes but not overly tart - it was easier on the palate than I expected. The Brett was noticeable but was balanced with the other flavors. I would say this is very Cantillon-esque, but it was less dry than their kriek, so I have to admit I liked this one a little more (not to say that I wouldn't jump at the chance to drink more Cantillon. Who wouldn't?). Drink Petit Mutant. An enjoyable beer with an enjoyable name.
Apr 28, 2011
Photo of rtepiak
Reviewed by rtepiak from Poland

4.36/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
the menu stated 8%abv... sure its different with each batch.

pour is reddish pink with a slight off white head that is quite large. about 2 fingers if not more. nose of funk and grassy minerals with a citrus subtle earth tone of nothing but a ripe raspberry. palate is not sweet but with a tart and extremely mild bitter grit. like you're chewing on flower leaves. the mineral is not something that compromises the beer with a false carbonation feeling. not extremely dry for a sour but subtle pollen notes. great. had it with the prawns.
Apr 26, 2011
Photo of Brad007
Reviewed by Brad007 from Vermont

4.38/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Pours a beautiful cranberry color with a one-finger head into my glass. I'm in love with the color.

A slight funk greets the nose followed by apple and cherry aromas.

Tart with a good amount of funk. Cherry is the dominant flavor (as it should be) and rounds out the palate.

Mouthfeel is.slightly tart/acicdic with lingering cherry notes.

Very drinkable. Deceptive. A masterpiece.
Apr 09, 2011
Photo of israel
Reviewed by israel from New York

4.47/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
At the brewpub, served in a tulip.
Ruby red appearance with minil head with a bit of lacing.
Aroma consists of cherries and fruit juices and all those familiar scents that I associate with Brett.
Flavor is cherry forward but not overly tart,
O love the mouthfeel of this beer, first it's there, then it's not
Too easy
Mar 26, 2011
Photo of dmgnyc
Reviewed by dmgnyc from New York

4.6/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
On tap at the Blind Tiger for Vermont Beer & Cheese Night. Served in a tulip. Bright red appearance with minimal head and good lacing. Think the color of grapefruit or cara cara oranges. Apparently brewed with 3 strains of brett and 1000 lbs of cherries, and aged in pinot barrels.

Dangerously drinkable and balanced for a 7.8. Unquestionably has a brett kick, but doesn't burn nearly as much as I would expect for a sour, let alone one with this high ABV. Tastes of sour cherries and cotton candy with a champagne bite, a full tulip goes down way too easy, and so far my stomach doesn't hate me. Fantastic.
Feb 24, 2011
Photo of Pentastar
Reviewed by Pentastar from New York

4.35/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: A ruby red color and cloudy, a very thin head.

Aroma: Some sourness, cherries and a little alchohol.

Taste: This beer actually tastes like a cherry soda with a subtle but noticeable red wine flavor. Like they added some Pinot Noir into it. It's sort of like a red champagne, with cherry syrup in it.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation and mouthfeel.

Drinkability: This has good drinkability for a sour.
Feb 23, 2011
Photo of thekevlarkid
Reviewed by thekevlarkid from Maryland

4.2/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Off tap at the brewery this beer was a color like Ruby red grapefruit color with one finger of pinkish head. The retention was very good and the lacing impressive. The aroma was of must, berries, cherries, Bret yeast and wheat. The flavors were on-point for a wild ale, tart, tangy and complex. I tasted Bret yeast, strawberries, Mexican candy (artificial flavoring) and lots of sour cherries. For 7.9% this beer barely showed any heat and was very easy to drink. The mouthfeel was average, the body medium and carbonation medium.
Jun 28, 2010
Photo of weeare138
Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
notes from Vermont trip this past April...
Appears a crimson toned amber with a fizzy white head with rose highlights bubbling through. The cap slowly fades into a gentle floating film with a mild collar. Streaks of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of cherries, red wine, oak, vanilla, funk, and light earthiness.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with a flavor that is of cherry and rhubarb with vanilla and wine breaking through into a sweet and mildly sour flavor.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, very mildly tart, and evenly balanced with nice drinkability.
May 26, 2010
Photo of gregory12
Reviewed by gregory12 from Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is my second time coming back to the alchemist and i have been on a sour kick lately, so of course i was happy to see this style on tap.

The color was ruby red with a nice two finger pinkish head. The smell was cherries, lemon zest, little funk and slight oak.

Starts off sour and tart with a little sweetness coming from the cherries, then in the end this beer balances out beautifully with a nice nutty, slightly buttery finish.

This beer is excellent and very easy to drink. You can defiantly have a few of these without the tartness killing your mouth.

If you like sours this is a very good one balanced yet complex at the same time. Hope they keep this one back in there rotation.
Feb 11, 2010
Photo of dherling
Reviewed by dherling from New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured out dark reddish with a thick white head. There's lots of fruit and sourness in the nose, cherry mostly, but also cranberry, and a bit of pear. There's nice balance, this is a great tasting beer. IT's a little too bubbly for me, chewy in a way. Might be better if I let it sit, but still very drinkable.
Oct 30, 2006
Photo of warriorsoul
Reviewed by warriorsoul from Pennsylvania

4.27/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Enjoyed on tap this evening with dinner...cask every Friday and this is what they offer up in a 12oz. tulip glass.
Arrived a bright cherry with a full finger of bright white head...very creamy, though disappears within a minute or so.
Not huge on aroma, but what you'd expect...cherries and some earthy yeast to balance it out.
The taste is simply incredible...not overly sour, but the wild yeast really adds to the complexity of the style. A tad dusty in mouthfeel at first, but mellows out to be a real refreshing brew...quite tart, but not a sipper as I was expecting. Went down way too easy.
No hint of alcohol whatsoever...perfect for the season.
So glad to get the chance to try this one...and on cask makes it that much more special for me.
Jul 22, 2006
Petit Mutant from The Alchemist Pub & Brewery
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 23 ratings