Dantalion Dark Wild Ale
Upland Brewing Company

stakem from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage 750ml bottle pours a clear mahogany with khaki head.

This smells akin to something like a flanders with earthen to floral notes, cherry, oak and vanilla.

The taste is tart cherries, earthen and floral with a touch of medicinal qualities and vanilla as it warms.

This is light in body with modest carbonation. A tasty offering that is not showing its 8 years of age.

Mar 29, 2018

JohnnyHopps from Indiana

3.73/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - The beer poured a wood stain brown color with white bubbles.

Smell - Dry sour notes topped the glass.

Taste -Initially, the beer is super tart and acidic, but fades pretty quickly. The oakiness comes in more toward the back.

Mouthfeel - The carbonation brushes away this sweetness pretty quickly.

Overall - I am not sure what Upland was going for here. It did not leave much of an impression though.

May 14, 2017

REVZEB from Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Maybe it is the higher levels of carbonation, but my first taste is cola, along with grass, chocolate, pepper, mint, legumes, and funk. The smell was more balanced, letting the grassy and vegetation to lead more. Feel was just too carbonated and funky for me to rate higher, but a fun concept

Sep 05, 2016

jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - Very dark, dark burgundy color thick caramel colored lacing.

S - Sour, tart, and acidic fruit.

T - Tart, acidic fruit, sour.

M - Leaves the mouth watering and puckering.

O - This is a very good beer.

Apr 05, 2016

TNasty1126 from Washington

4.19/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Consumed 3/06/16

Dark brown with some medium light tan head.

Sour and Acidity showcase as with all Upland sours. I would consider this much more balanced in comparison. dark fruits/figs, sweetness allow a menial break in the sour fest.

I am a fan of this beer because it is still intensely sour however more balanced due to the heavier body and darker/ sweeter ingredients. I want to point out this beer is not sweet only sweet by comparison to many Uplands.

Mar 15, 2016

angrybabboon from Massachusetts

3.87/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Consumed 3/12/16

Cheers to Goblinmunkey7 for sharing this beer

A: Dark brown with some lighter brown around the edges - hazy - pours with a medium sized, light tan head - fades to a wispy cap, retains a small collar, leaves streaks of lacing

S: Sour and dark - exceptionally sour, with some pungent acidity and lactic sourness - very sharp tartness - dark fruits, figs, grapes - dark chocolate - lightly roasty, but does not really smell as dark as it looks - red wine barrel, even more sourness

T: Sharp and exceptionally sour - bright acidity - potent lactic sour, musty, damp cellar - ripe wine barrel, very woody - some funky, powdery Brett, with some sharp, sour cherry skins - dark fruits, figs, grapes - dark chocolate and some baker's chocolate - finishes with some more lingering acid and sourness

M: Medium body, sharp yet smooth, medium carbonation, lingering, mouth-puckering sour

O: Upland does not need styles

I don't even know how to categorize this beer. This pours like a sour stout, but it's definitely not one. The color must come mostly from the barrel. This is stupidly sour, as in my mouth kind of hurts. Not like that is a criticism.

Mar 13, 2016

metter98 from New York

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a short light beige head that died down a bit, but consistently left a short head covering the surface.
S: Moderate aromas of oak and associated vanilla are present in the nose along with notes of sour dark fruit.
T:The taste follows the smell and has lots of flavors of red wine from the barrel aging along with notes of sour dark fruits.
M: It feels medium-bodied and somewhat tart on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This wild ale is quite interesting considering its opaque color. I would have thought this was a stout judging by its appearance.

Note: November 2014 vintage

Serving type: bottle

Jan 02, 2016

kojevergas from Louisiana

3.49/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2014 vintage 750ml brown glass cork 'n' cage bottle served into a tulip. "Summoned on 12/16/14."

HEAD: ~1.5 inches wide. Pale khaki colour head. Average thickness, consistency, and creaminess. Retention is quite good - ~7-9 minutes.

BODY: Opaque dark black. No yeast is visible within.

Doesn't look like your typical run of the mill wild ale. I'm optimistic.

AROMA: Licorice, cream, dark malts, hint of dark fruit, dark cherry, red wine, some lactobacillus-induced sourness, and hints of neutral oak wood.

Aromatic intensity is average. This aroma promises a beer that delivers on its premise, combining dark malts and bacterial notes - but to what effect?

TASTE: The dark malt backbone never provides too much sweetness, and allows the bacterial sourness to shine. Lactobacillus, lactic acid, a hint of brettanomyces yeast. Cream, a hint of anise, backgrounded neutral oak. The red wine barrel goes very well with the base beer, complementing the bacteria nicely whilst also playing to the dark malt core.

Sourness is mild - maybe a 4/10 in terms of intensity. I find no brettanomyces-induced funkiness. Some other bacteria (e.g. pedio) would help out here, as would lambicus yeast(s).

It's missing the elements that lend a sour notable intricacy...there's no wild flora, straw/hay, bacterial intangibles, et al.

Well put together, with good balance. Well-built, with a cohesive flavour profile that emphasizes admittedly vague fruit.

TEXTURE: Medium-bodied, creamy, smooth, wet, and of apt thickness and heft on the palate. Well-carbonated. This texture complements the taste well, but doesn't elevate the beer as whole. Has a slight smackiness to it, but not so much that it puckers. And it has a subtle softness.

OVERALL: Highly drinkable, especially for a sour. The acidity never becomes bothersome, and it isn't palate-stripping. As enjoyable and approachable as it is, it's far from amongst the best in the style, and I've had better from Upland. I'll enjoy finishing the bottle, and would recommend nabbing it if you chance across it - but it isn't worth seeking out.

High B- (3.49) / WORTHY

Dec 29, 2015

buschbeer from Ohio

4.12/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

750 ML bottle
Served in a beer flute
Bottled in 2014

This beer pours dark brown in color with some ruby highlights when held to a light source. It has a skim of tan head that doesn't stick around long.

The aroma congers thoughts of sour dark fruit. Red wine vinegar and brown sugar also come to mind.

I am immediately met with some mouthpuckeringly sour flavor. I get some tart red apple, tart cherry, tart plum, etc. Basically some sour dark fruit. I also get some sour vinous flavors with a dry finish.

Fairly thin with moderate carbonation

This is one to share. I love sour beers, but this one test my resolve with it's acidty, dry finish and abv. It is good but intense.

Dec 05, 2015

SPLITGRIN from Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gorgeous plum colored body that hosts a short deep tan colored body. Head fades quickly leaving just a skim. I am instantly entranced by the nose as it has tons going on. Cardoman, licorice, soft mint and dark fruits all shine. Tons of flavor as well, dark cola with a dusting of black strap and over ripe fruits. Tannins balance the tartness just right and latch on to the tongue very nicely. Ther is even a hint of black coffee on the finish. Very complex dark tart bomb.

Nov 14, 2015

chinchill from South Carolina

3.64/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Large shared bottle.
Pours very dark brown with a minimal head. Nearly black in the glass.
Very tart ... even smells tart.
High ABV according to the flavor, but this is not evident in the medium body.
Very flavorful. Near puckering tart.

Sep 06, 2015

bobhits from Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Dark and wild, without a doubt.

Pours a dark medium stout like color. Slightly merky brown, cloudy yeast. Pours a decent head, very carbonated and acidic looking.

The nose if sour acids, coca nips, pepper.

A lot more funky than expected. Make no mistake, a very sour beer but the flavor starts up with a lot of spices, peppers, rye like hints. Then it turns sour, and a very acidic with a bit of a burn type acid.

The body is medium, well carbonated.

This is a really solid sour. I'm not sure I'll be rushing out to buy more, but definitely a worthy offering. Really glad to have had this bottle.

Jul 17, 2015

rlee1390 from Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Starts like a mediocre sour brown. Then there is a bunch of grassy type spices. Not much else. One of Upland's worse sour offerings. (yet they make a lot it...)

May 09, 2015

RblWthACoz from Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Weird name and label.

Did they use dandelions in this? I see little things floating around and it tastes like they are in there as well. (Certainly smells like it too.) Beyond that floral tone, this is definitely a dark ale in all aspects. Dark, almost somewhat malty even? Interesting. Smooth. Lactic tones are in there as accents with a biting funk-ery (that's a word now) in the backend. I like this one. Could drink this all day and all night.

Apr 22, 2015

Vonerichs from Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Dark brown with an aggressive sand colored head. The head and carbonation is persistent and leaves a cascading lace.

Aroma is Apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and light anise.

Acidic, apples, vinegar, ginger, light peppery finish.

Light body with high carbonation.

A very nice beer. I like the peppery finish in contrast with the acidity.

Mar 05, 2015

BEERchitect from Kentucky

4.21/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

With a notion of citrus orchards that has been overcome by fire, that taste is captured, bottled and enjoyed as the Upland brewers invite us to drink on the dark side.

Dantalion's ominous crimsons and blacks cast a mysterious appearance to the eye. Scorched candy, toast and peppercorn kick off the aroma and early taste with sherry, red wine vinegar and burnt limes set a sour tone.

Over the middle, the toasted grain and candied malt sweetness retreats and the souring agents step forth, bringing the bitter sourness of lime, sour grape, orange, dry red wine and crabapple. Its soft and musty perfume is of burlap and cobweb. Complexity builds when the sharp pang of fresh cracked peppercorn, rye bread, sea brine and something of soil.

Medium-light in body, the beer is off dry but still highly refreshing because of its sheer winey acidity that strips the palate of thirst and cleans the palate for the last prickle of pepper, toast and sour fruit.

Dec 29, 2014

RyanPoff from Tennessee

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

A: Pours dark brown, almost Pepsi dark. Medium tan lacing with good retention.

S: Berries, pears, cherries, and sparkling cider. Crisp and refreshing.

T: Tart - pears, berries, apple cider. SOUR, but good.

M: Crisp, peppy, very fresh. Well carbonated.

Nov 27, 2014

bluejacket74 from Ohio

4.24/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750 ml bottle, not sure what the exact age of it is but I picked it up as part of Upland's recent sour release a couple weekends ago. Served in a Prairie Teku, the beer pours very dark brown with some reddish tints. There's about an inch tan head that stayed around a long time, and a good amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like tart cherries, oak, red grapes, sweet spices and some vinegar. It tastes like tart dark fruit, vinegar, oak, blackberries, earthy spices, and a bit of brown sugar. It's a tasty, tart and fruity brew. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's smooth and has a good amount of soft carbonation. I thought this was good, glad I got to try this one!

Nov 09, 2014

LeeEvolved from Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%

Dark cherry color with an upfront flowery taste and smell. Not very sour- almost Flemish style without all the vinegar. It's different than most Uplands and I'm kind of on the fence as to whether I really like it or downright hate it. Will open another bottle in a few months and give it another chance.

Nov 02, 2014

alpinebryant from Connecticut

3.28/5  rDev -18%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Summoned on 7/12/10 wow time flies. I thought I only got this two years ago.

A: Pours a clear cherry wood caramel into a wide mouth glass

S: Aromas of sour lacto, wood, bitter spices and brettonmyces. Flemish Sour ale aromas. Reminds me of Monks Café Flemish Sour ale.

T: This starts off super bitter at first, lots of oak, a bittering taste that does definitely have some dandelion like qualities to it. Bitter ornamental salad tastes presumably from spices and dandalions. Light red wine flavors mixing with a bretty oak and lacto. Behind the first few flavors I do not pick up a ton of complexity . The beer is relatively watery without a ton of depth.

M: Light mouthfeel, medium carbonation. Slightly thin for the style in my opinion.

O: Overall not bad, but would not seek out again. After having a number of Uplands wild ales a few years back, I held onto this one and am just getting around to opening it. Not sure it was worth the wait.

Mar 15, 2014

Jwale73 from Rhode Island

4.12/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to Jedwards for the final pre-move blowout cellar crash. Color is brown with a soapy cluster of bubbles around the edges. Nose reveals tart dark fruits. Taste is exactly what you would expect from the nose - vinous and earthy with some medicinal phenols. Mouthfeel is medium-light with an even carbonation and some acidity. Overall, a solid dark sour. I've been wanting to try this beer for a while and I wasn't disappointed.

Jun 11, 2013

corby112 from Pennsylvania

4.12/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very hazy, dark amber/chestnut brown color with a one finger beige head that quickly settles into a thick, lasting ring.  Splotchy lacing left behind.  

Sweet vinous aroma with earthy oak, vanilla, roasted malts and vinous dark fruit notes.  Strong red wine barrel with toasted oak, red wine, dark grape and cherry.  Underneath, there's some roasted dark malt, vinous fruits, musty brett and subtle acetic acid.

Medium bodied with tart, acidic sournesss along with toasted oak and vinous dark fruit flavors.  Tart with dry, musty brett and lactic funk followed by caramel malt, toffee, cherry, grape and currants.  Light and easy to drink which is surprising considering the complexity.  A very solid dark sour from Upland.

Mar 20, 2013

Rutager from Canada

3.89/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Thanks msquared2!! Bottled 7/12/10

Appearance. Pours a very deep, dark red-brown with a finger of creamy, pale-khaki head.

Smell. Sour cherries and old wood with just a dash of vinegar.

Taste. Sour cherry again, but not as big as the smell would lead on. Some tannic wood with a light, almost herbal bitterness along with some fruity (Belgian) yeast, especially in the finish.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, slick felling, and low+ carbonation.

Overall. A nice wild with some moderate sourness and some interesting complexity from the yeast and the barrel.

Feb 19, 2013

liamt07 from Canada

3.66/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by Sammy, 750ml into a tulip. Bottled August 12, 2010.

Muddy dark brown with a cream head. Moderate retention and light lacing. Nose has some dark fruits/berries, a complex herbal/spice tone, coffee perhaps and oak? Really peculiar. Taste has cola, herbal, again chocolate/coffee notes, dark fruits and some acidity in the finish. Medium body with some alcohol. Interesting/unique, but I wasn't taken aback by this.

Feb 06, 2013

Sammy from Canada

3.8/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

My Bottle from a forgotten good store. Above average mouthfeel. Darker colour than you would normally see from the style.Bretty. Coca cola,nutmeg, pepper, mint, and we need more of that than the sourness from the remaining lactic acid. Aged close to a year. Bubbly head. Cross saison/mild.

Jan 21, 2013