O Positive
The Alchemist in Stowe, Vermont, United States 🇺🇸
Sour / Wild Beer - Flavoured Special Out of Production|
Score
6.55
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Admin Note: Unlike the 2020 release, this was draught-only, did not have the Wild Child name, nor was it barrel-aged.
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Clarkvv (16523) reviewed O Positive from The Alchemist 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7
Draught tulip at the brewpub on 1/28/07
Strawberry-blonde and red beer with a small amount of pinkish-tinged white head that dosent stay much above a covering, but provides plenty of lacing. Light carbonation in the liquid, which shows a medium clarity.
Very juicy, lightly acidic nose puts out a lot of dry, tart cherry/raspberry aroma with a moderate wheat-like backbone (cream of wheat, vanillin) that softens the blow of the fruit somewhat. Some light plant-like/vegetal notes suggest the berries were thrown in seed and all (which is cool), but at this point, things are very muted in the yeast department and this seems like more of an American fruit beer than a Belgian one. Pure fruit aroma is a bit muted, overall, I would say, though what is there is natural and well-done. A bit of piquancy from the pomegranate, though I would never note it if I didnt know it was there.
It just seems like the dryness and only moderate amounts of tartness are getting in the way of the full expressiveness this beer could show. A bit biscuity/nutty and bland and I also think raspberries ferment out too easily, leaving not as much aroma/flavor behind as other fruits (cherries, for example). Not a huge fan of sour mashes, as I think they come off rather mediocre in acidity. The lactic notes are too muted and just muddle the fruit notes and contribute to the already very dry nature of the beer. But you can’t fault the brewer, this seems like it came off perfectly for what he intended (berries, tartness, dryness, lactic acid). Carbonation is firm as always in their beers, leading to a very Belgian-like mouthfeel, which is a good accomplishment for a draught beer. Medium-light body, but plenty of texture. Just a shade of brett in the flavor. If this gets infected with pediococcus and/or lactobacillus, I bet it would be fantastic in a year or two as it really needs much stronger acidity/sourness/tartness.
Lubiere (24459) reviewed O Positive from The Alchemist 21 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5
Cranberry red ale with no head. Light cranberry aroma. Diluted beer with cranberry juice, tart berries. Light bodied. Dec. 2004. 5-2-5-2-8
A red burgunday red ale with a thin cherry head. A pleasant aroma of raspberries and lactic points. In mouth, a restrained berry with simple acids, a bit short but interesting. On tap at brewpub, Nov. 29 2008, Alchemist’s 5th Anniversary. 7-4-7-3-13