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Sucré
The Bruery
- From:
- The Bruery
- California, United States
- Style:
- Old Ale
- ABV:
- 16.9%
- Score:
- 96
- Avg:
- 4.33 | pDev: 8.55%
- Reviews:
- 77
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 16, 2023
- Added:
- Mar 29, 2014
- Wants:
- 50
- Gots:
- 257
Sucré is our sixth anniversary ale, loosely brewed in the English-style Old Ale tradition using our house Belgian yeast strain and then blended using the solera method.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by brycevolk:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by rand from California
4.45/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
750 mL waxed-tip bottle, into a snifter
I know there’s debate as to whether it’s worth cellaring beer…that once it’s bottled, it’s at its peak. Well, you could make the same argument for wine, and least when compared to beer like this - ultra-high gravity, with tannins that mellow over time. It’s otherwise up to your own palate’s preference. Anyway, this bottle is 9 years old and tastes as good, if not better, than when I tasted it new.
It appears dark brown and cloudy, almost sludgy. The nose is of oak and booze and buttery notes, subtle bouquet.
It opens up more on the palate, with suggestions of banana and bubble gum, along with aspects in the nose. Oaky as they get. Booze is brilliantly masked, and although I wouldn’t call it a short finish, it closes relatively quick for the style and ABV. Dangerously drinkable.
Aug 16, 2023I know there’s debate as to whether it’s worth cellaring beer…that once it’s bottled, it’s at its peak. Well, you could make the same argument for wine, and least when compared to beer like this - ultra-high gravity, with tannins that mellow over time. It’s otherwise up to your own palate’s preference. Anyway, this bottle is 9 years old and tastes as good, if not better, than when I tasted it new.
It appears dark brown and cloudy, almost sludgy. The nose is of oak and booze and buttery notes, subtle bouquet.
It opens up more on the palate, with suggestions of banana and bubble gum, along with aspects in the nose. Oaky as they get. Booze is brilliantly masked, and although I wouldn’t call it a short finish, it closes relatively quick for the style and ABV. Dangerously drinkable.
Rated by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2014 vintage tasted in a Rastal Teku glass from a 750 mL bottle on May 22, 2021.
May 26, 2021Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota
4.4/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle. Tan head that fades. Dark caramel brown.
Bourbon, oak, brown sugar, molasses, figs, candied syrup, vanilla, caramel, toffee. Very old ale like. Lots of warming bourbon, but still drinkable. This is a very nice beer.
Apr 05, 2021Bourbon, oak, brown sugar, molasses, figs, candied syrup, vanilla, caramel, toffee. Very old ale like. Lots of warming bourbon, but still drinkable. This is a very nice beer.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
4.23/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Knocking out some review from Thanksgiving 2016 today, rum barrel sucre earlier, and now the slightly more conventional bourbon barrel one.
Pours the same dark brown appearance, though this one held a stronger head, even if not robust, it was stronger than the rum barrel version. 1/4" deep beige head. Aroma had less brown sugar and no rum smells, but more bourbon.
As usual the belgian yeast strain is not noticeable. As all the anniversary beers, this is a big one, boozy, but not as hot as you would expect at almost 17% abv. Moreso there is a nice, not overbearing sweetness, brown sugar, molasses, light non bitter dark fruit, plenty of bourbon, smidge of vanilla and plenty of smoothness. The ol boozy cracker jack reference with plenty of caramel and toffee notes throughout.
These are pretty much standard fare with me and the boys every time there is a UFC PPV. I think 6-8oz is best, but I'm totally fine splitting one of these too. I have no idea if they will ever fall off in my lifetime, they are like stuck in time.
Nov 20, 2020Pours the same dark brown appearance, though this one held a stronger head, even if not robust, it was stronger than the rum barrel version. 1/4" deep beige head. Aroma had less brown sugar and no rum smells, but more bourbon.
As usual the belgian yeast strain is not noticeable. As all the anniversary beers, this is a big one, boozy, but not as hot as you would expect at almost 17% abv. Moreso there is a nice, not overbearing sweetness, brown sugar, molasses, light non bitter dark fruit, plenty of bourbon, smidge of vanilla and plenty of smoothness. The ol boozy cracker jack reference with plenty of caramel and toffee notes throughout.
These are pretty much standard fare with me and the boys every time there is a UFC PPV. I think 6-8oz is best, but I'm totally fine splitting one of these too. I have no idea if they will ever fall off in my lifetime, they are like stuck in time.
Reviewed by BeardedWalrus from North Carolina
4.61/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.61/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2014 Sucré. Poured into my favorite 10 oz snifter, poured aggressively it yields a thin off white head that dissipates quickly, with some lacing in the glass. Color is a dark, deep amber with almost no visibility. Smell is big and bold, the bourbon just wafts off, along with big caramel, toffee, raisin, all with a strong sweetness. Taste is phenomenal, about the richest bourbon flavor I've ever gotten from any beer. But it's not overpowering, I can still pick out the accompanying flavors of vanilla, toffee, caramel, and a hint of oak towards the back end. Feel is incredibly sticky, it just coats everything inch of your mouth, just bordering on overdoing itself. Overall yet another phenomenal brew from the folks at the Bruery, though I can't imagine ever tasting a subpar beer from them.
Mar 24, 2020Rated by MutuelsMark from Kentucky
4.53/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.53/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Tried 2014 in 2020. Aged very well. Lovely smooth flavor.
Jan 06, 2020Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 2/27/14; drank 9/27/15 @ the Palace.
Murky brown mud appearance.
Minimal dark tan head; no lace.
Raisin, plum & spiced cider notes in the nose.
Thick, sticky mouthfeel.
Plum & raisin flavors up front; dry raisin & brandy notes on the finish.
Over the top but very flavorful; another year or so would benefit this.
Oct 17, 2019Murky brown mud appearance.
Minimal dark tan head; no lace.
Raisin, plum & spiced cider notes in the nose.
Thick, sticky mouthfeel.
Plum & raisin flavors up front; dry raisin & brandy notes on the finish.
Over the top but very flavorful; another year or so would benefit this.
Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana
4.39/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.39/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Not sure how I hadn't rated this on a previous bottle or draft encounter, but this one's over five years old at this point. Still fabulous and tasting fresh. Which for an old ale is... well, you know. Bruery's anniversary ales age with the best of them, and this bottle is no exception. Redolent, boozy and full of bourbon barrel oak.
Jul 01, 2019Reviewed by gcamparone from Rhode Island
4.57/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.57/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2014 vintage Bourbon Barrel Aged Sucre poured from a 750mL bottle into a Bruery tulip glass.
Pours a muddy brown body with a two finger off-white head that reduces slowly to leave a ring of retention, not much lacing.
Aromas are Taste is delightful with tons of sweet, decadent notes of brown sugar, burnt molasses, French vanilla, roasty malt, dark roast coffee, bourbon, oak, finishing with a really nice roasted malt flavor that sticks on the tongue for a while. Body is pretty rich with low carbonation. Insanely smooth for 16%.
Tasting this makes me wish I bought a whole case back in 2014 when I bought this bottle! Aged very well.
Oct 08, 2018Pours a muddy brown body with a two finger off-white head that reduces slowly to leave a ring of retention, not much lacing.
Aromas are Taste is delightful with tons of sweet, decadent notes of brown sugar, burnt molasses, French vanilla, roasty malt, dark roast coffee, bourbon, oak, finishing with a really nice roasted malt flavor that sticks on the tongue for a while. Body is pretty rich with low carbonation. Insanely smooth for 16%.
Tasting this makes me wish I bought a whole case back in 2014 when I bought this bottle! Aged very well.
Sucré from The Bruery
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
718 ratings
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