Dantalion Dark Wild Ale | Upland Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Upland Brewing Company
Indiana, United States | website
Style: American Wild Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Dark Wild Beer with brettanomyces and lactobacillus aged over 1 year in red wine American white oak barrels.
Added by Thorpe429 on 05-18-2010
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 77 | Ratings: 289
4.19/5 rDev +6.1%
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.
★ 463 characters
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.
★ 463 characters
3.87/5 rDev -2%
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.
★ 1,163 characters
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.
★ 1,163 characters
4.08/5 rDev +3.3%
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
★ 672 characters
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
★ 672 characters
3.49/5 rDev -11.6%
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
★ 2,111 characters
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
★ 2,111 characters
4.12/5 rDev +4.3%
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.
★ 679 characters
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.
★ 679 characters
4.43/5 rDev +12.2%
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.
★ 483 characters
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.
★ 483 characters
3.64/5 rDev -7.8%
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.
★ 243 characters
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.
★ 243 characters
3.85/5 rDev -2.5%
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.
★ 617 characters
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.
★ 617 characters
3.8/5 rDev -3.8%
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...)
★ 164 characters
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...)
★ 164 characters
4.24/5 rDev +7.3%
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.
★ 449 characters
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.
★ 449 characters
4.08/5 rDev +3.3%
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.
★ 347 characters
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.
★ 347 characters
4.21/5 rDev +6.6%
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.
★ 955 characters
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.
★ 955 characters
4.25/5 rDev +7.6%
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.
★ 254 characters
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.
★ 254 characters
4.24/5 rDev +7.3%
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!
★ 684 characters
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!
★ 684 characters
3.5/5 rDev -11.4%
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.
★ 306 characters
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.
★ 306 characters
3.28/5 rDev -17%
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.
★ 951 characters
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.
★ 951 characters
4.12/5 rDev +4.3%
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.
★ 436 characters
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.
★ 436 characters
4.12/5 rDev +4.3%
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.
★ 740 characters
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.
★ 740 characters
3.89/5 rDev -1.5%
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.
★ 555 characters
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.
★ 555 characters
3.66/5 rDev -7.3%
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.
★ 430 characters
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.
★ 430 characters
3.8/5 rDev -3.8%
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.
★ 289 characters
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.
★ 289 characters
3.25/5 rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Pours cloudy brown with red hues and a small white head fading to little retention or lacing.
A little bit of a toffee sweetness in the aroma with a little bit of berry. Not overly sour aroma.
More malty sweetness in the flavor along with a little berry/cherry tartness. Not very sour at all especially compared to the fruit lambics and not overly complex.
Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Finishes somewhat dry.
Nothing really bad about this, just sort of unimpressive all around. I remember liking this more when it was fresh so not sure if the bottle fell off or my sour palate improved. Most likely the latter. Not a bad beer, but would prefer Uplands fruit lineup or something more sour in general to this.
★ 720 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Pours cloudy brown with red hues and a small white head fading to little retention or lacing.
A little bit of a toffee sweetness in the aroma with a little bit of berry. Not overly sour aroma.
More malty sweetness in the flavor along with a little berry/cherry tartness. Not very sour at all especially compared to the fruit lambics and not overly complex.
Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Finishes somewhat dry.
Nothing really bad about this, just sort of unimpressive all around. I remember liking this more when it was fresh so not sure if the bottle fell off or my sour palate improved. Most likely the latter. Not a bad beer, but would prefer Uplands fruit lineup or something more sour in general to this.
★ 720 characters
3.62/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the bottle into my Hunahpu's snifter.
Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish brown with a layer of off white head. The head fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.
Smell: There is a red berry tartness with a malt sweetness. I'm also getting a slight vinegar note.
Taste: I'm getting a red berry tartness along with a malt sweetness. There is also a slight vinegar sourness. Not a whole lot more going on here.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a very mildly dry finish.
Overall: I didn't think this beer was very interesting. There was a tart note along with some sweetness, but nothing much more. I'm glad I had this, but I don't know that I would trade for another.
★ 705 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the bottle into my Hunahpu's snifter.
Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish brown with a layer of off white head. The head fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.
Smell: There is a red berry tartness with a malt sweetness. I'm also getting a slight vinegar note.
Taste: I'm getting a red berry tartness along with a malt sweetness. There is also a slight vinegar sourness. Not a whole lot more going on here.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a very mildly dry finish.
Overall: I didn't think this beer was very interesting. There was a tart note along with some sweetness, but nothing much more. I'm glad I had this, but I don't know that I would trade for another.
★ 705 characters
4.5/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Not quite two years old. I bought it about a year ago and have been properly cellaring it ever since, because I'm a fancyman and my home is equipped with a real-life cellar.
Pours very dark, medium fizzy with a whole helluva lot of particulates floating tantalizingly within. To think, there's some people who are so square they get turned off by the sight of yeast floating in their beer. The mind boggles...
Smells a little tame. I worry that maybe I had it in the fridge too long. Even cold, big brett and lactobacillus nodes are present, with tinges of cherries, raspberries, and ascorbic acid against light wisps of alcohol. Again, tantilziing. (As it warms, the fruit nodes mellow but the overall flavor becomes more complex, livened by vinous hints of oak).
Tastes woodier and more mellow, but still very pleasantly tart. Big lactobrett starts things off, getting mellowed out by nodes of wood and booze about halfway down your tongue, and ending on a natural-seeming, fruity tartness that's similar to the aftertaste of a pomegranate.
This is an absolute gem.
★ 1,073 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Not quite two years old. I bought it about a year ago and have been properly cellaring it ever since, because I'm a fancyman and my home is equipped with a real-life cellar.
Pours very dark, medium fizzy with a whole helluva lot of particulates floating tantalizingly within. To think, there's some people who are so square they get turned off by the sight of yeast floating in their beer. The mind boggles...
Smells a little tame. I worry that maybe I had it in the fridge too long. Even cold, big brett and lactobacillus nodes are present, with tinges of cherries, raspberries, and ascorbic acid against light wisps of alcohol. Again, tantilziing. (As it warms, the fruit nodes mellow but the overall flavor becomes more complex, livened by vinous hints of oak).
Tastes woodier and more mellow, but still very pleasantly tart. Big lactobrett starts things off, getting mellowed out by nodes of wood and booze about halfway down your tongue, and ending on a natural-seeming, fruity tartness that's similar to the aftertaste of a pomegranate.
This is an absolute gem.
★ 1,073 characters
Dantalion Dark Wild Ale from Upland Brewing Company
3.95
out of 5
based on 289 ratings.
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.
★ 207 characters