Bran Reserva
Birrificio Montegioco

Bran ReservaBran Reserva
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From:
Birrificio Montegioco
 
Italy
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.79 | pDev: 11.35%
Reviews:
23
Ratings:
34
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 13, 2015
Added:
Jun 09, 2008
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Ratings by GClarkage:
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Rated by GClarkage from California

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%

Jul 07, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by jrob21 from North Carolina

May 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jul 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by adkrogue from New York

May 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by rixcat from New Jersey

May 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by GeorgiaBeerGuy from Georgia

Sep 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by TheBeerDad from Michigan

Apr 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by westcoastbeerlvr from California

Jan 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Aug 23, 2012
Photo of Phelps
Reviewed by Phelps from Arizona

3.97/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bran Reserva is the barrel-aged version of Raven Ale, a tasty brown. After six months in used Barbera red wine barrels, it becomes Bran Reserva. Poured into a globe.

Opaque in appearance, but there are purple highlights at the edges. Looks almost flat at the pour — a very thin, tan layer is all I get in the way of bubbles.

Deep, oaky nose. Red wine, cherries, fig, vanilla, a little balsamic vinegar.

In the flavor, vinous oak, green apple and tart cherries add to the acidity as the brew warms. The brown ale beneath us noticeable through notes of caramel and brown sugar. A touch of funk emerges as well. The finish is less tart and more malty, smoothing things out and leaving the overall impression of red wine.

Light, tingly carbonation with no fizz. The big medium body likewise reminds of red wine.

I’ve been wanting to try this forever, and am glad I got the opportunity. A very nice, flavorful Italian brew.
Apr 30, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by PuFtonLyfe from North Carolina

Mar 30, 2012
Photo of LiquidAmber
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington

3.4/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Review from 3/2011 notes. Poured into a Black Raven pint glass. Pours a dark red brown amber. Moderate medium tan head and light lacing. Whoa! Very vinous, dark fruit and wood aroma. Flavor is very similar to a red wine, with tannins, a bit sour, grape and light and dark fruits. Carbonation not very noticeable and neither is the malt. The vinous quality doesn't really work for me. Nicely made, but not that much to my taste.
Mar 28, 2012
Photo of SLeffler27
Reviewed by SLeffler27 from New York

3.72/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours rich silky chocolate to become black in the glass with a slight almond head.

Has the aroma of tart cherries with some oak, similar to a merlot. The aroma is not quite what one would typically expect from the style, but rather enticing nonetheless.

Again, this is not what I expect from a BSDA, but enjoyable. Bran Reserva is quite tart and acidic. As found in the nose, it is closer to merlot. The finish is quick and light.

A light body, dry, with slight carbonation.

Enjoyed from a B.United tulip while eating pasta with spicy tomato sauce. Also enjoyed it on its own, but it was better with food.
Mar 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Nov 14, 2011
Photo of DmanGTR
Reviewed by DmanGTR from New York

4.12/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From notes during our blind tasting. Thanks to Bob for bringing this!

Dark brown with maroon highlights. Beige head and pretty clear, a few particles of sediment here and there. The nose is rather confusing actually. Sour cherries, prunes, oak tannins, and an undertone of caramel, raisins, and light roast. The roast is especially present in the finish. Alcohol is nearly indetectible. Is this an oak aged sour porter? It doesn't seem sour enough to be an intentional lacto or aceto inoculation, yet the dark fruit + sour cherry flavor is definitely there. So smooth and delicious. Unveiled, this is a completely new beer to me. Will look out for this next time.
Jul 10, 2011
Photo of corby112
Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From notes:

Pours a dark plum/chestnut brown color with a thin beige foam head that had good retention, slowly fading to a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lacing.

Earthy aroma with lots of oak/wood character as well as plenty of vinous dark fruit, candy sugar and chocolate malt. Hints of grape and other dark berries.

Medium bodied and very well balanced with the dark malt flavor countering the sweet and tart notes. Complex with chocolate malt, vinous dark, oak and vanilla flavors complimenting each other nicely. Hints of grape, currant and other dark berries. A touch too vinous but overall this beer is very flavorful and extremely quaffable.
Jan 15, 2011
Photo of BeerNemesis
Reviewed by BeerNemesis from New York

2.71/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Bran Reserva | 375 ml. | 8.5% ABV | 2010

Brewer: Birrificio Montegioco
Style: Supposedly it's a Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Glass: wine glass

Appearance:
Between Coca-Cola and vinegar. No head, no lacing.

Aroma:
Very tannic, vinegary, like red-wine.

Taste:
The vinous quality comes to the forefront, quickly followed by an unpleasant acetic undertone, and a slightly malty finish.

Mouthfeel:
The was a "pop" upon opening, but virtually no carbonation to speak of.

Harmony:
There is very little harmony here. Vinegar dominates, while all other flavors take second fiddle. The tannic quality is at first interesting, but ultimately you realize it's monodimensional.

Would I get it again?:
No. It's an awkward hybrid between wine and beer that retains the weaker qualities of both, and the virtues of neither.
Dec 12, 2010
Photo of avalon07
Reviewed by avalon07 from South Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a dark brown color and a thick, murky consistency. There was a small amount of foamy, tan-colored head that quickly dissipated. OK lacing.

S: An interesting aroma of malt, yeast and a vinous quality.

T: First and foremost, the vinous quality dominates the flavor. It gives the beer an almost wine-like quality. There are also traces of malt, Belgian, and mild fruits. Very unusual, but oddly tasty.

M: A solid amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

D: Definitely not your typical Belgian Strong Dark Ale, but drinkable. Will not please everyone, but still worth a try if you're looking for something unusual.
Aug 15, 2010
Photo of drpimento
Reviewed by drpimento from Wisconsin

2.9/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Opened the interesting bottle cap with a plastic sealing plug mounted inside it with a nice "pop". Poured with at first no head, and then, a very fine light brown, fine foam and no lace. Color is an almost opaque, clear very dark brown with garnet highlights. Aroma is heavy red wine and malt, sour, and a little dark ripe fruit. No hop. Flavor is the same, but in a way kind of two dimensional. Body is ok, but maybe better carbonation could have made this beer a little more interesting. Finish is dominated by the tart wine characteristics. Not a session.
Aug 10, 2010
Photo of GeezLynn
Reviewed by GeezLynn from Colorado

3.52/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A: Dark chocolate brown with slight red hue to it, almost like a raisin. Sparse tan head appears briefly before receding to the sides of the wine glass.

S: Ripe, vinous berry smell, along with some oak and some musty funk. Just a little caramel malt in there, but not much in the way of typical beer smell. The aroma reminds me of Jolly Pumpkin's La Roja.

T: Oak and funk are most apparent initially. There is also a good dose of acetic tartness, tannins and fruity red wine flavors. Along with the tartness, it's a little sweet, but the malt is really hidden behind the other big flavors.

M: Body is full and the carbonation starts out almost frothy. As it loses carbonation, it becomes a little thinner and more wine-like.

This was an interesting beer. Very flavorful and worth trying. Not all that drinkable though and not something I would go for again. Would rather just have a nice glass of cabernet.
Aug 01, 2010
Bran Reserva from Birrificio Montegioco
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 34 ratings