Saison Dolores
Almanac Beer Co.

Saison DoloresSaison Dolores
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From:
Almanac Beer Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.82 | pDev: 8.64%
Reviews:
40
Ratings:
242
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 08, 2018
Added:
Aug 06, 2014
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  49
Introducing Saison Dolores, Almanac’s newest year-round beer. A bright, aromatic brew for all seasons inspired by San Francisco’s Mission District. We combine barley, rye and Sonoran Wheat grown in Mendocino County and ferment the beer with our house Saison yeast. Finally we dry hop it to create a California Saison with flavors of spicy white pepper, fruity melon and a clean food friendly finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by d_kizzle:
Photo of d_kizzle
Rated by d_kizzle from California

3.86/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Apr 30, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of monkist
Reviewed by monkist from Hungary

4.74/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Whoa! What a saison!!! What a farmhouse ale!!!
It is misleading to label it a Belgian Saison... although it does contain sone of that remarkable yeast, thanks to the mastery of Almanac, it is something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. The fermented yeast is somehow totally blended into the fruity multitude of hops and is interwoven into the rich layers of taste. It is almost like an IPA with its hop fruitiness and the yeast supports those fruits in these perfectly: I'm getting peaches, melon and candied stuff. It feels rather sweet fruity and overall perfect - there is nothing that could be better with this beer! Simply because it is a dry-hopped Californian Saison, a category on its own. The local rye and wheat play an essential part in it's perfect taste.
I am extremely satisfied with this brew - I am confident to state that this is simply the BEST (Belgian style?) yeast-y saison that I've ever had. Long live Californian saisons!
Sep 08, 2018
Photo of matjack85
Reviewed by matjack85 from Illinois

3.94/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got this as part of a Christmas beer assortment from my sisters, so I don't know where it was bought or what it costs. It came in a 22oz brown bottle with no freshness date. This will be my first beer from this California brewery.

The beer poured a clear rich golden honey color, which was a little surprising since they use wheat in brewing it and wheat usually leaves beers cloudy looking. The beer made a 2-finger white head that lasted about a minute before dissipating, and left some decent lacing on the glass.

The beer had a nice citrus smell - mostly oranges and tangerines, along with some spice and some funky yeast.

Sweet and citrusy taste along with a hefty dose of spices - mainly rye and white pepper. Very little bitterness, but very noticeable Saison-like yeast flavor.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

My first offering from this brewery, and so far so good. I liked it.
May 02, 2018
 
Rated: 4.04 by NightINgale from Russian Federation

Mar 18, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by deonreds from New York

Jul 31, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by armock from New York

Jul 15, 2017
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.82/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a glossy burnt yellow to orange color with a sly transparency about it. Carbonation rides up at a nice pace. Quickly dissipated head. Barely any lacing. The smell started off with a sweet herbal to earthy aroma rolling over some light grassy tones. Some white pepper. Light floral qualities. Light breadiness. The flavor brings it all together, mainly leans sweet. Sweet herbal aftertaste with a smooth sweet finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a nice sessionability about it. Controlled stickiness. Overall, really nice saison that I would come back to.
Jun 20, 2017
 
Rated: 3.88 by SamuelMiller from Montana

May 18, 2017
Photo of tone77
Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A big thanks to the commander of the canquest, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Despite no agitation, this beer can gushing out, resulting in a dark golden color with a 1 1/2 inch head. Smell is of yeast, fruits. Taste is fruits, citrus stands out, spices, some yeast, tasty. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall is a quality beer.
Mar 23, 2017
Photo of polloenfuego
Reviewed by polloenfuego from Canada (NB)

3.96/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a lovely golden clear with a large fluffy white head. The head breaks slowly and there is some really nice lacing left behind. The smell is very nice with typical Belgian candi notes, some citrusy hops, fruitiness, and a touch of that peppery smell. Taste is a little sweet citrus and then the bitter of hops. There are the elements of pepper and other spices present as well. You can also taste the rye. The feel is medium with medium zingy carbonation. There is a nice citrusy and bitter aftertaste which eventually becomes a bit sweet.

Overall, a nice beer. I enjoyed taking my time with this beer, and experiencing all the flavors. My first experience with an Almanac brew, and based on this, I will get more.
Mar 11, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by bacher468 from Pennsylvania

Feb 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4.23 by Foley67 from Scotland

Feb 20, 2017
Photo of crob3888
Reviewed by crob3888 from California

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a slightly hazy honey gold with a large fluffy white head. Lots of carbonation as to be expected. Aromas and flavors are phenomenal! Nelson hops and rye wheat bring out tropical fruits, melons, pineapples, subtle spiciness, and rye bread qualities. For a six-pack saison this may be my new go-to, incredibly fresh and wonderful.
Feb 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.24 by The_Beer_Guru from New York

Feb 16, 2017
 
Rated: 3.84 by RobinLee from Wisconsin

Jan 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.12 by strohme2 from Michigan

Jan 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.64 by JavierGC from Spain

Jan 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by AnitaBrewski from Massachusetts

Jan 01, 2017
Photo of breadwinner
Reviewed by breadwinner from California

3.44/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Something weird on the nose, almost like vinyl, clear hint of New World hops too. Palate isn't dry enough for a saison, IMO, too reliant on the fruity hops. This fits in the Almanac brand, but it's not my cup of tea.
Dec 28, 2016
Photo of TX-Badger
Reviewed by TX-Badger from Texas

2/5  rDev -47.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Pours a clear yellow color with white head. Herbal, very floral and some other odd soapy tones on the nose; follows onto the palate. Medium bodied. Finishes with the same weird flavors.
Dec 28, 2016
Saison Dolores from Almanac Beer Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 242 ratings