6.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Draught at the brewery, 3/18/16.
Light golden/straw body shows a strong haziness and a small white head atop with low retention.
Light oak, saison-like esters, pinches of very dry brett and some strong yellow fruits all seem well balanced in the nose. Nothing sharp nor does the gin or wine barrel aging come off to prominently.
Flavors all collide upon first sip and it’s surprisingly overwhelming with strong oak tannins providing toastiness, moderate honey-like maltiness and a light amount of diacetyl adding some butter. It almost works with the oak, giving it a chardonnay-like butteriness and isn’t all that problematic, in the grand diacetyl-scheme of things. Carbonation is moderate to low, fairly engaging and there’s plentiful floral and dry fruit-like notes that are, perhaps, a bit too dry themselves given the oakiness. Probably just needs a bit more time, as it seems quite enjoyable and well-done.
Light golden/straw body shows a strong haziness and a small white head atop with low retention.
Light oak, saison-like esters, pinches of very dry brett and some strong yellow fruits all seem well balanced in the nose. Nothing sharp nor does the gin or wine barrel aging come off to prominently.
Flavors all collide upon first sip and it’s surprisingly overwhelming with strong oak tannins providing toastiness, moderate honey-like maltiness and a light amount of diacetyl adding some butter. It almost works with the oak, giving it a chardonnay-like butteriness and isn’t all that problematic, in the grand diacetyl-scheme of things. Carbonation is moderate to low, fairly engaging and there’s plentiful floral and dry fruit-like notes that are, perhaps, a bit too dry themselves given the oakiness. Probably just needs a bit more time, as it seems quite enjoyable and well-done.
Tried
on 24 Mar 2016
at 16:59
8.1/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Draught at the brewery, 3/18/16.
Very large, dark beige head tops a minimally hazy dark mahogany-to-ebony body. Retention is moderate to moderately-strong.
More bacterial influences in this guy than some of the other stuff they had, but still a strong fruitiness (probably from the rye, yeast and bacteria) and ample light caramel character to balance. Dark fruits, spiciness, dry chocolate and moderate funk. Quite nice with none of the alcohol showing through.
Malty up front, with dark fruits and a lightly spicy rye character emerging as well as raisins and figs. Sour cherry, bitter chocolate and soft caramel all play nicely, with little/no aggressiveness. Not heavily toasty, or at least it doesn’t seem that way. Very nice texture, with engaging carbonation and no alcohol or flaws noted.
Very large, dark beige head tops a minimally hazy dark mahogany-to-ebony body. Retention is moderate to moderately-strong.
More bacterial influences in this guy than some of the other stuff they had, but still a strong fruitiness (probably from the rye, yeast and bacteria) and ample light caramel character to balance. Dark fruits, spiciness, dry chocolate and moderate funk. Quite nice with none of the alcohol showing through.
Malty up front, with dark fruits and a lightly spicy rye character emerging as well as raisins and figs. Sour cherry, bitter chocolate and soft caramel all play nicely, with little/no aggressiveness. Not heavily toasty, or at least it doesn’t seem that way. Very nice texture, with engaging carbonation and no alcohol or flaws noted.
Tried
on 24 Mar 2016
at 16:53
6.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Draught at the brewery, 3/18/16.
Dark mahogany brown body shows a light to moderate haze and a small beige head that quickly recedes to a ring.
The nose has light ash, dark chocolate, a moderate dose of souring bacteria and a very strong hazelnut character. No alcohol or flaws.
In the flavor it’s quite nutty. That classic nut brown toasty/roasty/breadiness that we all know and love/hate. I really can’t stand nut brown ales and thus don’t care for that aspect. It’s somewhat more interesting here adding the sourness, but it seems a bit too novel and I can’t really see trying to make a sour nut brown ale to offer to people who really like nut brown ales. Can’t see someone that is in to those being in to this. But it’s done well and there are no flaws nor is it overly sour. Lots of cracker, crust, nuttiness, light roast and a moderately sweet caramel malt to balance the sourness and dry characteristics.
Dark mahogany brown body shows a light to moderate haze and a small beige head that quickly recedes to a ring.
The nose has light ash, dark chocolate, a moderate dose of souring bacteria and a very strong hazelnut character. No alcohol or flaws.
In the flavor it’s quite nutty. That classic nut brown toasty/roasty/breadiness that we all know and love/hate. I really can’t stand nut brown ales and thus don’t care for that aspect. It’s somewhat more interesting here adding the sourness, but it seems a bit too novel and I can’t really see trying to make a sour nut brown ale to offer to people who really like nut brown ales. Can’t see someone that is in to those being in to this. But it’s done well and there are no flaws nor is it overly sour. Lots of cracker, crust, nuttiness, light roast and a moderately sweet caramel malt to balance the sourness and dry characteristics.
Tried
from Can
on 24 Mar 2016
at 16:47
7.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Draught at the brewery, 3/18/16.
Pours a mostly clear, light golden with a touch of amber. White head immediately fizzles to a ring.
Dusty wild yeast notes combine with malic and acetic acids, as well as juicy apple sugars. The malt really goes a long way here and gives backbone/structure to the beer. I’ve been mostly unimpressed with American wild fermented ciders, as they’re just too dry/thin/overfermented.
In the flavor, the sweet apples play perfectly against the honey-like malts while light acetic/malic/lactic acids provide tartness and depth. Really nice balance and lip-smacking acidity on the end make for a crisp, drinkable experience. The alcohol is in a good place here too. What a charming little brewery.
Pours a mostly clear, light golden with a touch of amber. White head immediately fizzles to a ring.
Dusty wild yeast notes combine with malic and acetic acids, as well as juicy apple sugars. The malt really goes a long way here and gives backbone/structure to the beer. I’ve been mostly unimpressed with American wild fermented ciders, as they’re just too dry/thin/overfermented.
In the flavor, the sweet apples play perfectly against the honey-like malts while light acetic/malic/lactic acids provide tartness and depth. Really nice balance and lip-smacking acidity on the end make for a crisp, drinkable experience. The alcohol is in a good place here too. What a charming little brewery.
Tried
from Can
on 21 Mar 2016
at 20:00
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
This was poured into a becher pint glass.
The appearance was a dark hazy brown color with a slim one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about thirty seconds. No lacing.
The smell had the pumpkin up front and then the ginger and allspice balancing in underneath. That light woody dry/sour edge normally associated with Hermit Thrush beers slides in even further underneath. Light sweet grassy hops show a light presence as well.
The taste was mainly pumpkin malty sweet with a nice dose of the spices hitting again. Same dry wody/sour edge underneath. Light pumpkin aftertaste leads into a quick dry finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. Carbonation runs fairly smooth. Spices overcome the sour edges to be the harshness.
Overall, hey Hermit Thrush, what a nice pumpkin ale you guys did. Usually not a style I have this time of year but hey, I’m pleased with this one.
The appearance was a dark hazy brown color with a slim one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about thirty seconds. No lacing.
The smell had the pumpkin up front and then the ginger and allspice balancing in underneath. That light woody dry/sour edge normally associated with Hermit Thrush beers slides in even further underneath. Light sweet grassy hops show a light presence as well.
The taste was mainly pumpkin malty sweet with a nice dose of the spices hitting again. Same dry wody/sour edge underneath. Light pumpkin aftertaste leads into a quick dry finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. Carbonation runs fairly smooth. Spices overcome the sour edges to be the harshness.
Overall, hey Hermit Thrush, what a nice pumpkin ale you guys did. Usually not a style I have this time of year but hey, I’m pleased with this one.
Tried
on 15 Mar 2016
at 03:29
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Treated as a Flanders Oud Bruin, this was poured into a tulip. I believe that’s what it’s supposed to be.
The appearance was a black color but shows more of a dark brown in the pour. No head. No lacing.
The smell starts off with a rugged sour green apples with tart cherries. Light sweet malts underneath.
The taste combines the previously mentioned flavors nicely. Not as rugged in the aftertaste. Tart semi-sweet to sour finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sipping to sessionable quality about it. Carbonation runs fairly light. Tartness hits on the edges of the tongue.
Overall, this was a decent Flanders Oud Bruin. I could probably have again.
The appearance was a black color but shows more of a dark brown in the pour. No head. No lacing.
The smell starts off with a rugged sour green apples with tart cherries. Light sweet malts underneath.
The taste combines the previously mentioned flavors nicely. Not as rugged in the aftertaste. Tart semi-sweet to sour finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sipping to sessionable quality about it. Carbonation runs fairly light. Tartness hits on the edges of the tongue.
Overall, this was a decent Flanders Oud Bruin. I could probably have again.
Tried
on 10 Mar 2016
at 18:27
7.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
This was poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a soft hazy burnt orange color with no head or lacing.
The smell took in a big funky and earthiness rolling in some lemon to citrus rind and pulls in subtle dry woody aromas.
The flavor shapeshifts the aroma into the flavor adding a light sour and tang in there. Light tang in the aftertaste but not overbearing. Quick wet finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fair sessionability about it. Sour/tang/funk shows effect but not burdensome. Gets slightly sticky as it warms.
Overall, Belgian styled pale ale, yes, I see it as one with Hermit Thrush adding their \"funky\" to \"sour\" take on it. I’d have again.
The appearance was a soft hazy burnt orange color with no head or lacing.
The smell took in a big funky and earthiness rolling in some lemon to citrus rind and pulls in subtle dry woody aromas.
The flavor shapeshifts the aroma into the flavor adding a light sour and tang in there. Light tang in the aftertaste but not overbearing. Quick wet finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fair sessionability about it. Sour/tang/funk shows effect but not burdensome. Gets slightly sticky as it warms.
Overall, Belgian styled pale ale, yes, I see it as one with Hermit Thrush adding their \"funky\" to \"sour\" take on it. I’d have again.
Tried
on 17 Feb 2016
at 12:01
5.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
This was poured into an English pub styled pint glass at The Blue Stone, Waterbury, VT.
The appearance was a dark brown almost black color with a one finger white to off white foamy head that dissipated within less than a minute. Lingering lacing runs here and there.
The smell was probably the most bitter sharp piney harshness I’ve ever smelled in a Black IPA, whoah, only after a good deal of warming, some light roasty dark coffee flavors come out and then a slight tingle of sour citrus.
The taste was basically the same with the finish being more pronounced on the sour portion.
On the palate, this one sat about a light on the body. Sessionable, definitely, even with that sour finish, still good.
Overall, Hermit Thrush doing the inevitable in the state of Vermont, taking a black IPA,, making it sessionable and then giving their \"sour\" brand. Interesting but for me, I think I’d rather have more balanced black IPA’s out on the market.
The appearance was a dark brown almost black color with a one finger white to off white foamy head that dissipated within less than a minute. Lingering lacing runs here and there.
The smell was probably the most bitter sharp piney harshness I’ve ever smelled in a Black IPA, whoah, only after a good deal of warming, some light roasty dark coffee flavors come out and then a slight tingle of sour citrus.
The taste was basically the same with the finish being more pronounced on the sour portion.
On the palate, this one sat about a light on the body. Sessionable, definitely, even with that sour finish, still good.
Overall, Hermit Thrush doing the inevitable in the state of Vermont, taking a black IPA,, making it sessionable and then giving their \"sour\" brand. Interesting but for me, I think I’d rather have more balanced black IPA’s out on the market.
Tried
on 06 Feb 2016
at 22:53
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
This was poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a hazy and ruddy orange to brown color with no head and barely any lacing. What lacing was there speckled ever so slightly.
The smell had some sour green apples up front with some vinegar/cider notes sliding to balance. Light floral and then some sweet red apple come in after a little bit of warming. Lemon juice comes in as well.
The taste started off sour and balancing into a slight sweet apple and grassy flavor. Lemon juice comes in slightly bitter.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sessionable feel about it. Carbonation rests fairly low allowing the sourness to hit a bit harder on my tongue.
Overall, I’d say this was a pretty good sour/wild ale that I would come back to. Thanks Andy.
The appearance was a hazy and ruddy orange to brown color with no head and barely any lacing. What lacing was there speckled ever so slightly.
The smell had some sour green apples up front with some vinegar/cider notes sliding to balance. Light floral and then some sweet red apple come in after a little bit of warming. Lemon juice comes in as well.
The taste started off sour and balancing into a slight sweet apple and grassy flavor. Lemon juice comes in slightly bitter.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sessionable feel about it. Carbonation rests fairly low allowing the sourness to hit a bit harder on my tongue.
Overall, I’d say this was a pretty good sour/wild ale that I would come back to. Thanks Andy.
Tried
on 02 Feb 2016
at 11:34
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
This was poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a hazy burnt dark orange color with a thin little white head that quickly dissipated. Carbonation could be seen only hitting the top in some light bubbles.
The smell starts off with fresh green apples. Gin botanicals show their face slightly as it warms. Dried floral leafiness slides in underneath.
The taste was moderately sweet with that gin dryness laying down on my tastebuds. Light fresh sprucy/juniper sort of flavor back it up. There’s no aftertaste nor finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a medium in body with a decent sipping to sessionable sort of dry sticky feel. Carbonation feels good, semi-light with a clingy bitterness on my tongue.
Overall, as a saison, I can see it, sort of. The gin definitely is there and I’d say it’s good as it’s a nice fresh break up to a Winter season of stouts.
The appearance was a hazy burnt dark orange color with a thin little white head that quickly dissipated. Carbonation could be seen only hitting the top in some light bubbles.
The smell starts off with fresh green apples. Gin botanicals show their face slightly as it warms. Dried floral leafiness slides in underneath.
The taste was moderately sweet with that gin dryness laying down on my tastebuds. Light fresh sprucy/juniper sort of flavor back it up. There’s no aftertaste nor finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a medium in body with a decent sipping to sessionable sort of dry sticky feel. Carbonation feels good, semi-light with a clingy bitterness on my tongue.
Overall, as a saison, I can see it, sort of. The gin definitely is there and I’d say it’s good as it’s a nice fresh break up to a Winter season of stouts.
Tried
from Can
on 25 Jan 2016
at 21:03