-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Otter Creek World Tour: Otter Sphinx
Otter Creek Brewing
- From:
- Otter Creek Brewing
- Vermont, United States
- Style:
- Herb and Spice Beer
- ABV:
- Not listed
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.57 | pDev: 13.45%
- Reviews:
- 26
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jan 19, 2014
- Added:
- Aug 16, 2008
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ElGallo:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut
2.95/5 rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
2.95/5 rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Im sampling a cellar temp bottle of this beer poured into a snifter. Ive had the bottle in my cellar for about 2.5 years.
The beer pours a bright clear golden honey hue withvery minimal bleached white head foaming up as a surface layer even with a fairly agressive pour.
The aroma is pretty mild with some husky grain notes and light fruit, white grapes mostly, and finally some light floral scents. Complex yet not bold aroma.
First sip reveals a light bodied beer with fine and slightly tingly carbonation. The texture is smooth and not watery, very easy to drink.
Flavor is some caramel, sweet fruit, again white grape, and some tangy almost tart flavors. It almost tastes like a strawberry, and finishes very dry. This could be the honey added to the beer.
A decent summer beer that has some interesting qualities, but it is so subdued and mild. I think if the flavors and scents were a little more bold I would actually enjoy this unique brew. Perhaps it was more robust fresh? I am glad to have tried this but wouldnt go buy another bottle if I found one somewhere.
Apr 24, 2011The beer pours a bright clear golden honey hue withvery minimal bleached white head foaming up as a surface layer even with a fairly agressive pour.
The aroma is pretty mild with some husky grain notes and light fruit, white grapes mostly, and finally some light floral scents. Complex yet not bold aroma.
First sip reveals a light bodied beer with fine and slightly tingly carbonation. The texture is smooth and not watery, very easy to drink.
Flavor is some caramel, sweet fruit, again white grape, and some tangy almost tart flavors. It almost tastes like a strawberry, and finishes very dry. This could be the honey added to the beer.
A decent summer beer that has some interesting qualities, but it is so subdued and mild. I think if the flavors and scents were a little more bold I would actually enjoy this unique brew. Perhaps it was more robust fresh? I am glad to have tried this but wouldnt go buy another bottle if I found one somewhere.
Reviewed by portia99 from Massachusetts
3.1/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
3.1/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Portsmouth tulip.
A - Pours a clear golden color with some orange highlights. A small attmept at forming a head mostly fails and only leaves behind a thin collar of white bubbles.
S - Rather unique. Sweet with touches of honey. Very floral, most likely the chamomile here. A sweet sugar cookie dough like aroma comes thru the middle with touches of breadiness thrown in for good measure. Smells dessert like...perhaps like a bakery a bit...or perhaps its pot pouri (I know very different things, but at different times, I get different hits of aromas swirling around)
T - Very grainy underneath everything - makes me think of a granola bar - thinking Nature Valley oat and honey. From there it gets a bit..."unique". Sweet and spicy with a fruity and perfumey type character. Some touches of cinnamon, honey and light brown sugar too...lots of sweet, spicy and fruity flavors all combining into a bit of an overall undefinable flavor. The chamomile is quite prominant and contributes to a tea-like impression as well.
M - Somewhat thin with a light to medium carbonation that just manages a bit of a tingle on the tongue. The combination of herbs and spices here leave the most lasting impression after the swallow.
D - This seems best consumed in small quantities...not because of a high alcohol level, just the somewhat unusual combination of flavors going on here. This is a one and done for me. Just a bit too far out there for me....oh, and, no way is this an American Pale Ale - this is an herb and spice beer all the way.
Sep 23, 2010A - Pours a clear golden color with some orange highlights. A small attmept at forming a head mostly fails and only leaves behind a thin collar of white bubbles.
S - Rather unique. Sweet with touches of honey. Very floral, most likely the chamomile here. A sweet sugar cookie dough like aroma comes thru the middle with touches of breadiness thrown in for good measure. Smells dessert like...perhaps like a bakery a bit...or perhaps its pot pouri (I know very different things, but at different times, I get different hits of aromas swirling around)
T - Very grainy underneath everything - makes me think of a granola bar - thinking Nature Valley oat and honey. From there it gets a bit..."unique". Sweet and spicy with a fruity and perfumey type character. Some touches of cinnamon, honey and light brown sugar too...lots of sweet, spicy and fruity flavors all combining into a bit of an overall undefinable flavor. The chamomile is quite prominant and contributes to a tea-like impression as well.
M - Somewhat thin with a light to medium carbonation that just manages a bit of a tingle on the tongue. The combination of herbs and spices here leave the most lasting impression after the swallow.
D - This seems best consumed in small quantities...not because of a high alcohol level, just the somewhat unusual combination of flavors going on here. This is a one and done for me. Just a bit too far out there for me....oh, and, no way is this an American Pale Ale - this is an herb and spice beer all the way.
Reviewed by generallee from Virginia
4.62/5 rDev +29.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.62/5 rDev +29.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 1pint 6oz bottle into an Otter Creek glass. That came as part of a three pack gift set. The bottle itself has no freshness date or abv% on the label but it has a nice description of the beer.
Appearance: Its body has a deep golden honey colored body with good clarity and some visible carbonation. The head starts off tall from the pour but falls down to a light cap off of white creamy foam. A quick swirl rejuvenates the head and keeps that nice foam cap on top till the last sip. Lacing is slick and quickly slides down the sides of the glass.
Smell: The aroma has a full inviting nose with loads of sweet grains and honey mixing it up with herbal/floral notes.
Taste/Palate: It has a very sweet overall character that reminds me of a multi grain cereal like Kashi. There is a solid base with multiple grain notes and loads of honey and herbal/floral notes as well as chamomile and hops. It finishes like herbal chamomile tea with honey. It has a smooth creamy texture with soft carbonation and a medium body.
Notes: Overall I thought this was a very interesting and enjoyable beer.
Apr 19, 2010Appearance: Its body has a deep golden honey colored body with good clarity and some visible carbonation. The head starts off tall from the pour but falls down to a light cap off of white creamy foam. A quick swirl rejuvenates the head and keeps that nice foam cap on top till the last sip. Lacing is slick and quickly slides down the sides of the glass.
Smell: The aroma has a full inviting nose with loads of sweet grains and honey mixing it up with herbal/floral notes.
Taste/Palate: It has a very sweet overall character that reminds me of a multi grain cereal like Kashi. There is a solid base with multiple grain notes and loads of honey and herbal/floral notes as well as chamomile and hops. It finishes like herbal chamomile tea with honey. It has a smooth creamy texture with soft carbonation and a medium body.
Notes: Overall I thought this was a very interesting and enjoyable beer.
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts
2.45/5 rDev -31.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
2.45/5 rDev -31.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
22oz bottle purchased as a single from Oliver's in Albany, NY.
Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/4" off-white head over the clear golden amber brew. Head falls at a moderate pace, you can actually see the small bubbles bursting over and over, with average lacing. Aroma is sweet and floral. Taste begins with a honey sweetness, quickly gives way to a substantial tartness in the middle, and closes with the same floral character mixing with the sour. Mouthfeel is prickly with the sour, and drinkability is very limited. Not so impressed with this World Tour stop.
Oct 31, 2009Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/4" off-white head over the clear golden amber brew. Head falls at a moderate pace, you can actually see the small bubbles bursting over and over, with average lacing. Aroma is sweet and floral. Taste begins with a honey sweetness, quickly gives way to a substantial tartness in the middle, and closes with the same floral character mixing with the sour. Mouthfeel is prickly with the sour, and drinkability is very limited. Not so impressed with this World Tour stop.
Reviewed by NJpadreFan from New Jersey
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Otter Creek- Sphinx
A- Light clear golden orange with a small filmy white head.
S- Very sweet honey, chamomile, nutmeg, and potpourri.
T- Sweet fresh honey, juniper, chamomile, nutmeg, rose, and a variety of floral spices. Light buttery malt makes up the bulk.
M- Sweet and floral. Buttery and creamy.
Overall- Slightly gimmicky but tasty enough to easily polish off the bomber. I'd drink this 1 again.
Sep 10, 2009A- Light clear golden orange with a small filmy white head.
S- Very sweet honey, chamomile, nutmeg, and potpourri.
T- Sweet fresh honey, juniper, chamomile, nutmeg, rose, and a variety of floral spices. Light buttery malt makes up the bulk.
M- Sweet and floral. Buttery and creamy.
Overall- Slightly gimmicky but tasty enough to easily polish off the bomber. I'd drink this 1 again.
Reviewed by thespaceman from Connecticut
3.9/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22oz bomber into my Otter Creek World Tour glass.
Appearance: Pours a clear gold in color, nice lacing and retention all the way down the glass. Head size was promising upon the pour but began to dimminish as it peaked.
Smell: Bits of honey, saffron, coriander spice, and chamomile. An oat like presence comes off in the backdrop as well. Smells very promising indeed.
Taste: Cereal malts in the forefront give way to a nice backdrop of honey, chamomile, oatmeal and some malt spice. Small dose of esters are here but barely present. Not too boozy in the ABV department but I can sense a small amount of alcohol in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Actually light in the mouth, carbonation is a tad high, I guess if this was brought down it would have more malt presence to back up such a nice pairing of ingredients here. Small bitterness creeps in.
Drinkability: Besides the Otter Mon, this is one of my favorite offerings from the OC World Tour series. Very light and easy to drink, I had this on my patio after dinner on a 70-80 degree night and it went down perfectly. Another successful beer from Otter Creek that should be seeked out.
Jul 02, 2009Appearance: Pours a clear gold in color, nice lacing and retention all the way down the glass. Head size was promising upon the pour but began to dimminish as it peaked.
Smell: Bits of honey, saffron, coriander spice, and chamomile. An oat like presence comes off in the backdrop as well. Smells very promising indeed.
Taste: Cereal malts in the forefront give way to a nice backdrop of honey, chamomile, oatmeal and some malt spice. Small dose of esters are here but barely present. Not too boozy in the ABV department but I can sense a small amount of alcohol in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Actually light in the mouth, carbonation is a tad high, I guess if this was brought down it would have more malt presence to back up such a nice pairing of ingredients here. Small bitterness creeps in.
Drinkability: Besides the Otter Mon, this is one of my favorite offerings from the OC World Tour series. Very light and easy to drink, I had this on my patio after dinner on a 70-80 degree night and it went down perfectly. Another successful beer from Otter Creek that should be seeked out.
Reviewed by donkeyrunner from Massachusetts
3.66/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.66/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I love that Otter. Keep on travelin' little guy.
Clear honey color with a thin white head that doesn't stick around. Looks mead-ish.
Smells sweet and spicey. Chamomille, honey, and nutmeg. Flowery like perfume.
Tastes like it smells. Chomomille, ginger, honey and nutmeg over sweet malt. Not what I expected but unlike anything I've ever had. Carbonation is firm and in the background.
Jun 21, 2009Clear honey color with a thin white head that doesn't stick around. Looks mead-ish.
Smells sweet and spicey. Chamomille, honey, and nutmeg. Flowery like perfume.
Tastes like it smells. Chomomille, ginger, honey and nutmeg over sweet malt. Not what I expected but unlike anything I've ever had. Carbonation is firm and in the background.
Reviewed by indiapaleale from Maine
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a rather flat, light orange/amber. Very clean and clear pour with very little head.
Smell is light maple syrup, some spice and honey and some caramel/brown sugar.
Taste is a rather odd combination of sweetness and some spiciness. Its almost like a very sweet cup of herbal tea. Its definitely got some floral characteristics and altogether its not a bad combo of flavors.
The mouthfeel is a bit watery and this is definitely a one-off bomber for me that i was happy to split with a friend of mine.
I like unique beers and this definitely qualifies as such.
Jun 01, 2009Smell is light maple syrup, some spice and honey and some caramel/brown sugar.
Taste is a rather odd combination of sweetness and some spiciness. Its almost like a very sweet cup of herbal tea. Its definitely got some floral characteristics and altogether its not a bad combo of flavors.
The mouthfeel is a bit watery and this is definitely a one-off bomber for me that i was happy to split with a friend of mine.
I like unique beers and this definitely qualifies as such.
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona
3.47/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.47/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours golden - clear until the last dregs makes it cloudy. (Not suggesting pouring last dregs in by the way - overly yeasty in this case). A thin white head is lop-sided bubbly. Almost no lacing sticks.
The semml is of honey upfront, with perfumy, herbal (chamomile, though I know only because it is listed, but fits) notes.
The taste of honey that was upfront becomes more balanced by the perfumy/herbal chamomile. There is something reminiscent of ginger and nutmeg going on. On sweet and herbal side, but moderated, so as not becoming "too much". Finishes with a spiced sweetness.
Light-bodied with firm carbonation.
An interesting beer. Something of a summer version of a winter (spiced) beer.
May 14, 2009The semml is of honey upfront, with perfumy, herbal (chamomile, though I know only because it is listed, but fits) notes.
The taste of honey that was upfront becomes more balanced by the perfumy/herbal chamomile. There is something reminiscent of ginger and nutmeg going on. On sweet and herbal side, but moderated, so as not becoming "too much". Finishes with a spiced sweetness.
Light-bodied with firm carbonation.
An interesting beer. Something of a summer version of a winter (spiced) beer.
Reviewed by lstokes from Illinois
2.75/5 rDev -23%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
2.75/5 rDev -23%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
The beer poured completely clear for me with no head to speak of, and smelled like alcoholic graham crackers.
I felt like this had too much honey in it--a little bit of ginger, some wild flower taste, a nice mid-sip taste with the grain quality, but ultimately I came away thinking about honey on bread.
Mouthfeel was surprisingly full with a nice coating, maybe because of the honey, but I still found myself struggling to finish a glass. I respect what they're trying to do but it felt unfinished for me, like the honey had been added on top rather than truly blended in to the flavor profile. I've never liked honey on its own, which may have something to do with my glomming onto that taste.
May 02, 2009I felt like this had too much honey in it--a little bit of ginger, some wild flower taste, a nice mid-sip taste with the grain quality, but ultimately I came away thinking about honey on bread.
Mouthfeel was surprisingly full with a nice coating, maybe because of the honey, but I still found myself struggling to finish a glass. I respect what they're trying to do but it felt unfinished for me, like the honey had been added on top rather than truly blended in to the flavor profile. I've never liked honey on its own, which may have something to do with my glomming onto that taste.
Reviewed by thequeen711 from Pennsylvania
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The appearance of the pour left a cloudy brew, light lacing (not much of a head). The nose detected a honey sweetness, caramel and malt. The taste mirrored the nose...that honey sweetness quite prevelant, as well as the caramel and malts. Mouthfeel was clean and crisp, very drinkable and enjoyable!
Apr 20, 2009
Otter Creek World Tour: Otter Sphinx from Otter Creek Brewing
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
35 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!