Partridge In A Pear Tree
The Bruery
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #79 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #8,223 - Avg:
- 4.02 | pDev: 12.94%
- Reviews:
- 90
- Ratings:
- From:
- The Bruery
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 438
- Gots
- 84
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
Partridge in a Pear Tree is the first in the 12 Days/Years of Christmas Series. Brewed in the style of a Belgian-style Dark Strong Ale, brewed with our brewery-made dark candi sugar, Munich and Vienna malts. Dark brown in color, fruity and complex with a rich malt backbone. This is a simple yet immensely complex beer meant to be savored and shared with friends and family.
Reviews: 90
| Ratings: 174
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Hat_Fulla_Beer from Canada (AB)
4.29/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle poured into tulip.
Pours rootbeer brown with two fingers of khaki head that leaves serrated volcanic rock lace as it recedes.
Smells of oatmeal with spiced apple, raisin tarts, bubblegum, pear pudding, spiced toffee and a bit of earthy hops.
Tastes of caramel pears, more spicy apple oatmeal, sugared raisins, salted chocolate, brown sugar and faint alcohol.
Feels big and grand. Full bodied with frothy carbonation. Finishes sweet and chewy.
Verdict: Vigorously recommended. Perfect for movie night.
Jan 16, 2021
4.29/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle poured into tulip.
Pours rootbeer brown with two fingers of khaki head that leaves serrated volcanic rock lace as it recedes.
Smells of oatmeal with spiced apple, raisin tarts, bubblegum, pear pudding, spiced toffee and a bit of earthy hops.
Tastes of caramel pears, more spicy apple oatmeal, sugared raisins, salted chocolate, brown sugar and faint alcohol.
Feels big and grand. Full bodied with frothy carbonation. Finishes sweet and chewy.
Verdict: Vigorously recommended. Perfect for movie night.
Jan 16, 2021
tide from California
4.04/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
It’s dark brown color, the foam is fine and thin. It smells malty, boozy, like dried plum, port wine, peppermint candy and ripe pear. The beer starts with light tart, which turns to bittersweet and ends with a sweet flavor. Like other Quadrupel, it’s a complex and strong beer. The beer have a strong ester aroma releases quickly in mouth. Around the ester aroma, there’s lingonberry candle, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, peppermint, strawberry jam, raisin, ripe pear aromas. The pear flesh like aroma is elegantly fruity. The aftertaste is quite hoppy, shows pine needle aroma and leafy. Compare to a Belgian quad, it’s a bit more sweeter. It also shows more bubblegum like ester profile, which boost the fruitiness. The ending is more hoppy, which helps balance the sweetness. American version of quad is like this, it’s very delicious, but lacks next level of complexity and spices of Belgium Abbey Quad. But I think it’s better to drink it a bit colder, so the sweetness won’t cover the delicate tartness at beginning.
It’s a good replacement than Anchor brewing’s Christmas Ale, you get more fruitiness and spices in it.
Jan 15, 2021
4.04/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
It’s dark brown color, the foam is fine and thin. It smells malty, boozy, like dried plum, port wine, peppermint candy and ripe pear. The beer starts with light tart, which turns to bittersweet and ends with a sweet flavor. Like other Quadrupel, it’s a complex and strong beer. The beer have a strong ester aroma releases quickly in mouth. Around the ester aroma, there’s lingonberry candle, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, peppermint, strawberry jam, raisin, ripe pear aromas. The pear flesh like aroma is elegantly fruity. The aftertaste is quite hoppy, shows pine needle aroma and leafy. Compare to a Belgian quad, it’s a bit more sweeter. It also shows more bubblegum like ester profile, which boost the fruitiness. The ending is more hoppy, which helps balance the sweetness. American version of quad is like this, it’s very delicious, but lacks next level of complexity and spices of Belgium Abbey Quad. But I think it’s better to drink it a bit colder, so the sweetness won’t cover the delicate tartness at beginning.
It’s a good replacement than Anchor brewing’s Christmas Ale, you get more fruitiness and spices in it.
Jan 15, 2021
michiganmatt from California
3.82/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep reddish-brown, aromas of red fruit, raisins, overall what you would expect for a Quad's aroma. Tastes of boozy red fruit, raisins, candy sugars, faint hints of breadiness. Medium bodied, fairly light carbonation. Overall this was mostly just an okay quad. I thought that given that ABV, that the flavors would be a little stronger, instead the flavors felt a little muted, as if the beer was a bit watery.
Dec 30, 2020
3.82/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep reddish-brown, aromas of red fruit, raisins, overall what you would expect for a Quad's aroma. Tastes of boozy red fruit, raisins, candy sugars, faint hints of breadiness. Medium bodied, fairly light carbonation. Overall this was mostly just an okay quad. I thought that given that ABV, that the flavors would be a little stronger, instead the flavors felt a little muted, as if the beer was a bit watery.
Dec 30, 2020
HattedClassic from Virginia
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours nice khaki brown head that dissipates at a moderate pace while the beer itself is an opaque dark brown color with a slight purple hue to it. It looks good.
The smell is good. It has a mix of dark fruits and malt notes. The dark fruit notes are a like a sugary grape mixed with date notes and a modest bit of malt caramel. There is also a slight bitter hop note that is largely overrun by the other notes.
The taste is good even though it is noticeable different from the smell. The bitter hop notes come out more than they do in the smell and is better for it. The dark fruit notes such as dates and now grapes along with plum come out more. The contrast is enhanced by the Belgian sugar.
The feel is good. It has a heavy body with a smooth texture. The carbonation is nice and tingling.
Overall, a good beer and worth getting. It definitely resembles some of the trappist quads.
Dec 26, 2020
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours nice khaki brown head that dissipates at a moderate pace while the beer itself is an opaque dark brown color with a slight purple hue to it. It looks good.
The smell is good. It has a mix of dark fruits and malt notes. The dark fruit notes are a like a sugary grape mixed with date notes and a modest bit of malt caramel. There is also a slight bitter hop note that is largely overrun by the other notes.
The taste is good even though it is noticeable different from the smell. The bitter hop notes come out more than they do in the smell and is better for it. The dark fruit notes such as dates and now grapes along with plum come out more. The contrast is enhanced by the Belgian sugar.
The feel is good. It has a heavy body with a smooth texture. The carbonation is nice and tingling.
Overall, a good beer and worth getting. It definitely resembles some of the trappist quads.
Dec 26, 2020
q33jeff from New Jersey
3.65/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
**
12/24/20
Bottle to snifter.
LOOK: medium brown with a slight reddish hint. medium khaki head with very good retention.
AROMA: fruitcake, oatmeal, cherry, apple,
TASTE: biscuit, baking soda, cherry raisin. a little chemical off-taste in there, but washed away quickly by the wine/brandy finish.
FEEL: medium body leaning a touch toward full (55%), a little sticky, ok carbonation.
A Nice holiday belgian. Great name. This is my third in this series
**
Dec 25, 2020
3.65/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
**
12/24/20
Bottle to snifter.
LOOK: medium brown with a slight reddish hint. medium khaki head with very good retention.
AROMA: fruitcake, oatmeal, cherry, apple,
TASTE: biscuit, baking soda, cherry raisin. a little chemical off-taste in there, but washed away quickly by the wine/brandy finish.
FEEL: medium body leaning a touch toward full (55%), a little sticky, ok carbonation.
A Nice holiday belgian. Great name. This is my third in this series
**
Dec 25, 2020
Sludgeman from District of Columbia
4.19/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Dominion wine and beer. In a plastics solo cup.
A nice quad in the classic style. The spices aren’t over done. I like this beer a lot. This beer fits my quad/dark string ale paradigm. When I find this in the store I’ll buy a few for the cellar.
A - spicy cloves
Dec 06, 2020
4.19/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Dominion wine and beer. In a plastics solo cup.
A nice quad in the classic style. The spices aren’t over done. I like this beer a lot. This beer fits my quad/dark string ale paradigm. When I find this in the store I’ll buy a few for the cellar.
A - spicy cloves
Dec 06, 2020
avalon07 from South Carolina
4.24/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a dark, mahogany brown color and a mostly cloudy consistency. There was a quarter inch of creamy, tan-colored head that quickly dissipated. Not much lacing.
S: A very nice aroma of Belgian yeast, malt, dark fruit, apples, caramel, and pears.
T: Tasted of a good shot of apples (a surprising amount), some of the advertised pears (a subtle presence), a little dark fruit (raisins, in particular), a tinge of caramel (nice and sweet), light malt notes (present throughout), and a lot of Belgian-style yeast (a solid backbone). This is a lively, sharp and well-formed flavor. Tasty.
F: A good amount of carbonation with a lively finish. Medium-bodied.
O: On the whole, this is a likable American version of a quad. Drinkable.
Nov 21, 2020
4.24/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a dark, mahogany brown color and a mostly cloudy consistency. There was a quarter inch of creamy, tan-colored head that quickly dissipated. Not much lacing.
S: A very nice aroma of Belgian yeast, malt, dark fruit, apples, caramel, and pears.
T: Tasted of a good shot of apples (a surprising amount), some of the advertised pears (a subtle presence), a little dark fruit (raisins, in particular), a tinge of caramel (nice and sweet), light malt notes (present throughout), and a lot of Belgian-style yeast (a solid backbone). This is a lively, sharp and well-formed flavor. Tasty.
F: A good amount of carbonation with a lively finish. Medium-bodied.
O: On the whole, this is a likable American version of a quad. Drinkable.
Nov 21, 2020
sjrider from California
4.09/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle ,the 2020 version -dark mahogany with light khaki head leaving foamy bubbles and some frosty lacing. Nose is delightfully sweet with candi sugar and dark stone fruit. Taste is a step down with a muted take on the nose. Finish is a bit thin and slightly dry, still quite tasty. ABV well hidden , not yeasty like a true Belgian.
Nov 20, 2020
4.09/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle ,the 2020 version -dark mahogany with light khaki head leaving foamy bubbles and some frosty lacing. Nose is delightfully sweet with candi sugar and dark stone fruit. Taste is a step down with a muted take on the nose. Finish is a bit thin and slightly dry, still quite tasty. ABV well hidden , not yeasty like a true Belgian.
Nov 20, 2020
IvoryFoxhole from Virginia
3.94/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
375ml bottle from the 2019 reissue. Poured into Trillium The Six States glass and allowed to warm.
L: Small, very light-tan head with poor retention, leaves no lacing and a thin ring, Beer is a very dark chestnut brown.
S: I know this is bonkers, but it smells like dried pears. I swear! Loads of candi sugar, dried dark fruits, and roasted malts. I really hope it's not as sweet as the notes indicate. No notes of partridge.
T: Woooo, it is indeed quite sweet and pretty raw as well. Loads of caramel and dried fruit, viscous malt, and a touch of alcohol heat at the end. Some citrus notes as well. Pretty overwhelmingly cloying, though.
F: Full-bodied, very little carbonation. Can't give this super-high marks for construction and balance as the sweetness is jarring and clashes with the alcohol. Probably would be a lot better with some barrel aging. Maybe in an apple brandy barrel.
O: Really wanted to give it better, but can't. If only I had thought to buy two cases and age one.
Feb 18, 2020
3.94/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
375ml bottle from the 2019 reissue. Poured into Trillium The Six States glass and allowed to warm.
L: Small, very light-tan head with poor retention, leaves no lacing and a thin ring, Beer is a very dark chestnut brown.
S: I know this is bonkers, but it smells like dried pears. I swear! Loads of candi sugar, dried dark fruits, and roasted malts. I really hope it's not as sweet as the notes indicate. No notes of partridge.
T: Woooo, it is indeed quite sweet and pretty raw as well. Loads of caramel and dried fruit, viscous malt, and a touch of alcohol heat at the end. Some citrus notes as well. Pretty overwhelmingly cloying, though.
F: Full-bodied, very little carbonation. Can't give this super-high marks for construction and balance as the sweetness is jarring and clashes with the alcohol. Probably would be a lot better with some barrel aging. Maybe in an apple brandy barrel.
O: Really wanted to give it better, but can't. If only I had thought to buy two cases and age one.
Feb 18, 2020
jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
4.13/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A - Nice dark raisin color with clarity and thin lacing.
peel
S - Some dark fruit with mainly dark Belgian candy sugar.
T - Belgian dark candy sugar, some slight dark fruit tang, and ends with a balanced lingering bitter orange that's more towards the sweet side.
M - Big medium body, viscous, and lip smacking sticky.
O - Better than it's current 3.99 score IMO.
Jan 25, 2020
4.13/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A - Nice dark raisin color with clarity and thin lacing.
peel
S - Some dark fruit with mainly dark Belgian candy sugar.
T - Belgian dark candy sugar, some slight dark fruit tang, and ends with a balanced lingering bitter orange that's more towards the sweet side.
M - Big medium body, viscous, and lip smacking sticky.
O - Better than it's current 3.99 score IMO.
Jan 25, 2020
REVZEB from Illinois
4.23/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
At last, the final of the series I have yet to try. Fitting that it is a quad. Dark brown somewhat clear body with a brown collar. A malty quad both in smell and taste, with the smell accenting the booze, toffee, dried cherry and the malts themselves more. Where the taste highlights the candi sugar, tons of dark fruit, light belgian yeast, and brown sugar more. Boozy, malty, sneaky complex, warm, very full, and smooth. A great start to the series, and for me a great finish.
Dec 27, 2019
4.23/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
At last, the final of the series I have yet to try. Fitting that it is a quad. Dark brown somewhat clear body with a brown collar. A malty quad both in smell and taste, with the smell accenting the booze, toffee, dried cherry and the malts themselves more. Where the taste highlights the candi sugar, tons of dark fruit, light belgian yeast, and brown sugar more. Boozy, malty, sneaky complex, warm, very full, and smooth. A great start to the series, and for me a great finish.
Dec 27, 2019
brycemc from California
4.2/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Day 1. (Note I'm recovering from a cold and senses are maybe a bit off)
Look: Poured a deep red/brown into a tulip. Head is active and very fine, almost nitro-esque. Minor lacing.
Smell: mostly dark fruit,some rye bread spice, raisins.
Taste: Belgian quad is well represented here. Full bodied, alcohol notes in finish, but mild for 11%. Bread, yeast, sweet notes of raisins and maybe yams balanced with nice acidity. Just enough bitter in the long finish to stand up to the malts.
Feel: medium full body, appropriate to style. Off dry. Just right.
Overall this is a great Belgian quad. Hits all the right notes and in a blind tasting I would have picked it to come from Belgium.
Dec 25, 2019
4.2/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Day 1. (Note I'm recovering from a cold and senses are maybe a bit off)
Look: Poured a deep red/brown into a tulip. Head is active and very fine, almost nitro-esque. Minor lacing.
Smell: mostly dark fruit,some rye bread spice, raisins.
Taste: Belgian quad is well represented here. Full bodied, alcohol notes in finish, but mild for 11%. Bread, yeast, sweet notes of raisins and maybe yams balanced with nice acidity. Just enough bitter in the long finish to stand up to the malts.
Feel: medium full body, appropriate to style. Off dry. Just right.
Overall this is a great Belgian quad. Hits all the right notes and in a blind tasting I would have picked it to come from Belgium.
Dec 25, 2019
Lucnifter from California
3.29/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
At a tasting of all 12. It's way past it's prime (if it had one), but considering the negative word of mouth I've heard in recent years, I was expecting worse. There are far worse quads being poured fresh in this world. It's not good by any means, but not as horrible as some have made it out to sound.
Dec 01, 2019
3.29/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
At a tasting of all 12. It's way past it's prime (if it had one), but considering the negative word of mouth I've heard in recent years, I was expecting worse. There are far worse quads being poured fresh in this world. It's not good by any means, but not as horrible as some have made it out to sound.
Dec 01, 2019
arlo19 from Kentucky
4.55/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to Tim for this rare quad. Aroma is raisins and cherry. Taste is great, very light mouthfeel. Aged well! Booze is well hidden, sneaks up on you.
Jun 05, 2016
4.55/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to Tim for this rare quad. Aroma is raisins and cherry. Taste is great, very light mouthfeel. Aged well! Booze is well hidden, sneaks up on you.
Jun 05, 2016
StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.05/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
not often i get to drink beer this old, a cool treat, this one has been cellared well, with minor and not unflattering oxidation happening. its bronze in color, with medium brown sugar color as the sediment in the bottle clouds it, and the head is relatively short, khaki pant color. the nose is lots of caramel malts and candy sugar, the belgian yeast fruitiness has died off a bit, but there is still plenty of yeast character without that side of it. the flavor is very much grain driven, as any quad should be, but notes of raisin, toffee, and even plum present themselves to me as i sip this slowly. booze is totally invisible, this must have mellowed significantly over time. it would have been fun to have had this fresh for comparison, but the beer i am drinking here is very good. the oxidation helps me taste the yeast, which is getting a little stale, but has been largely assimilated by the malt richness, which hasnt backed off much. not my favorite beer in the series, but certainly the rarest at this time, given its age. in some ways i liked this years quad more, but without having had this fresh, its impossible to ever know for sure. a special treat to taste!
Jan 15, 2015
4.05/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
not often i get to drink beer this old, a cool treat, this one has been cellared well, with minor and not unflattering oxidation happening. its bronze in color, with medium brown sugar color as the sediment in the bottle clouds it, and the head is relatively short, khaki pant color. the nose is lots of caramel malts and candy sugar, the belgian yeast fruitiness has died off a bit, but there is still plenty of yeast character without that side of it. the flavor is very much grain driven, as any quad should be, but notes of raisin, toffee, and even plum present themselves to me as i sip this slowly. booze is totally invisible, this must have mellowed significantly over time. it would have been fun to have had this fresh for comparison, but the beer i am drinking here is very good. the oxidation helps me taste the yeast, which is getting a little stale, but has been largely assimilated by the malt richness, which hasnt backed off much. not my favorite beer in the series, but certainly the rarest at this time, given its age. in some ways i liked this years quad more, but without having had this fresh, its impossible to ever know for sure. a special treat to taste!
Jan 15, 2015
UCLABrewN84 from California
3.74/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to GRG1313 for sharing this one at his tasting.
Pours an almost opaque super dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, pecan, fruit, and slight cardboard aromas. Taste is much the same with malt, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, dark fruit, spice, and cardboard flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is definitely showing some oxidation at this point, but it's still quite solid all around.
Serving type: bottle.
Dec 02, 2014
3.74/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to GRG1313 for sharing this one at his tasting.
Pours an almost opaque super dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, pecan, fruit, and slight cardboard aromas. Taste is much the same with malt, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, dark fruit, spice, and cardboard flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is definitely showing some oxidation at this point, but it's still quite solid all around.
Serving type: bottle.
Dec 02, 2014
Alieniloquium from Florida
2.95/5 rDev -26.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Deep brown body. A little transparent. Small head.
Smell - Dark fruits. Oxidation, kinda cardboardy. Caramel.
Taste - Just like the smell. Dark fruitiness. Sweet caramel malts. Cardboard oxidation.
Mouthfeel - It's big and boozy. Medium carbonation. Oxidized.
Overall - Yeah, it's old. Interesting to try, though.
Oct 06, 2014
2.95/5 rDev -26.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Deep brown body. A little transparent. Small head.
Smell - Dark fruits. Oxidation, kinda cardboardy. Caramel.
Taste - Just like the smell. Dark fruitiness. Sweet caramel malts. Cardboard oxidation.
Mouthfeel - It's big and boozy. Medium carbonation. Oxidized.
Overall - Yeah, it's old. Interesting to try, though.
Oct 06, 2014
jlindros from Massachusetts
2.16/5 rDev -46.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Thanks to Andy for sharing this at my 30th birthday whale tasting.
Pours no head, dark mahogany murky ruby brown colored.
Nose has plenty of oxidation, cardboard city, then brown malts, molasses, raisin, candi sugar, BBQ sauce for some reason with ketchup and vinegar, weird, fruity apple, etc.
Taste brings plenty more oxidation and wet cardboard, raisin and fruit, molasses, light candi sugar and syrup, again a weird tomato based BBQ sauce taste which is not pleasant, chewy, light booze, soy sauce, this would make a great marinade for meat but terrible for a beer.
Mouth is thin and almost no carb.
Overall blech! I can't believe this has such a whale status to get, just to do a lousy vertical?! This beer was terrible and the only beer at the tasting we couldn't finish. Thanks for bringing it Andy so I could try it at least once, but wow was that bad!
May 06, 2013
2.16/5 rDev -46.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Thanks to Andy for sharing this at my 30th birthday whale tasting.
Pours no head, dark mahogany murky ruby brown colored.
Nose has plenty of oxidation, cardboard city, then brown malts, molasses, raisin, candi sugar, BBQ sauce for some reason with ketchup and vinegar, weird, fruity apple, etc.
Taste brings plenty more oxidation and wet cardboard, raisin and fruit, molasses, light candi sugar and syrup, again a weird tomato based BBQ sauce taste which is not pleasant, chewy, light booze, soy sauce, this would make a great marinade for meat but terrible for a beer.
Mouth is thin and almost no carb.
Overall blech! I can't believe this has such a whale status to get, just to do a lousy vertical?! This beer was terrible and the only beer at the tasting we couldn't finish. Thanks for bringing it Andy so I could try it at least once, but wow was that bad!
May 06, 2013
rudzud from Massachusetts
2.72/5 rDev -32.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Shared by Andy for the JLindros Birthday Whale Tasting. Reviewed from notes.
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a murky reddish hazelnut hue with a thin light halo. No real head.
S - Uh oh....Figs, malts, molasses, prunes, and soy sauce. Not really digging whats going on here at all.
T - Taste is well...oxidised? I really don't know. There's malts, sugars, figs, heavy soy sauce, really sweet...just incredibly unpleasant.
M - Mouthfeel is on the tarter side, medium carbonation, medium body.
O - Overall, the general consensus with this beer was while glad to try it it was simply shocking. Not sure what happened here but this beer was almost a train wreck. I really don't think anyone finished their glass....
Apr 11, 2013
2.72/5 rDev -32.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Shared by Andy for the JLindros Birthday Whale Tasting. Reviewed from notes.
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a murky reddish hazelnut hue with a thin light halo. No real head.
S - Uh oh....Figs, malts, molasses, prunes, and soy sauce. Not really digging whats going on here at all.
T - Taste is well...oxidised? I really don't know. There's malts, sugars, figs, heavy soy sauce, really sweet...just incredibly unpleasant.
M - Mouthfeel is on the tarter side, medium carbonation, medium body.
O - Overall, the general consensus with this beer was while glad to try it it was simply shocking. Not sure what happened here but this beer was almost a train wreck. I really don't think anyone finished their glass....
Apr 11, 2013
portia99 from Massachusetts
2.41/5 rDev -40%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
750ml bottle shared by Andy at our whale tasting last night. Poured into a Portsmouth tulip.
A - Pours a reddish tinted amber color...quite hazy in the glass. Low collar, no real head.
S - Aromas are heavy and sharp - prunes, molasses, soy sauce, buttery. This smacks you in the face with aroma...a little bit rough.
T - Tomato juice, soy sauce, sweet...really rough.
M - Tart, soy, medium carbonation, medium body.
O - Very glad to have been able to try this. Now I know not to try to track this one down - would be very upset to part with what these are commanding in the trade market. Honestly, this was a major disappointment and a drainpour...really was undrinkable.
Mar 03, 2013
2.41/5 rDev -40%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
750ml bottle shared by Andy at our whale tasting last night. Poured into a Portsmouth tulip.
A - Pours a reddish tinted amber color...quite hazy in the glass. Low collar, no real head.
S - Aromas are heavy and sharp - prunes, molasses, soy sauce, buttery. This smacks you in the face with aroma...a little bit rough.
T - Tomato juice, soy sauce, sweet...really rough.
M - Tart, soy, medium carbonation, medium body.
O - Very glad to have been able to try this. Now I know not to try to track this one down - would be very upset to part with what these are commanding in the trade market. Honestly, this was a major disappointment and a drainpour...really was undrinkable.
Mar 03, 2013
ngeunit1 from Massachusetts
4.47/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours a cloudy ruby with a touch of brown mixed in with a thin finger of khaki head. The head fades very quickly leaving behind a touch of lace.
S - Aroma is full of dark fruit with some plum and a touch of apple with a hint of Belgian yeast spice, brown sugar, and a bit of booze.
T - Starts off with some sweet dark fruit with some plum and dates with some brown sugar sweetness and some Belgian yeast spice. Through the middle, some apple comes through with some more residual and candi sugars and some fuller dark fruit flavor. The finish is a mix of lingering dark fruit sweetness with some abbey yeast, spice, and some booze.
M - Medium-full bodied with mild carbonation. Feels smooth with a warming and sweet finish.
D - Very drinkable. Really smooth and nicely balanced. Good American take on the Belgian Quad style. Good rich dark fruit flavors.
Jun 08, 2012
4.47/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours a cloudy ruby with a touch of brown mixed in with a thin finger of khaki head. The head fades very quickly leaving behind a touch of lace.
S - Aroma is full of dark fruit with some plum and a touch of apple with a hint of Belgian yeast spice, brown sugar, and a bit of booze.
T - Starts off with some sweet dark fruit with some plum and dates with some brown sugar sweetness and some Belgian yeast spice. Through the middle, some apple comes through with some more residual and candi sugars and some fuller dark fruit flavor. The finish is a mix of lingering dark fruit sweetness with some abbey yeast, spice, and some booze.
M - Medium-full bodied with mild carbonation. Feels smooth with a warming and sweet finish.
D - Very drinkable. Really smooth and nicely balanced. Good American take on the Belgian Quad style. Good rich dark fruit flavors.
Jun 08, 2012
largadeer from California
4.16/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle at City Beer.
Caramel brown body with some chill haze, clears up as it warms. Lower-moderate carbonation, little in the way of head or lacing.
The nose is surprisingly nice. Toffee and strong fruity esters that are very pear-like. Pleasantly oxidized, nutty, some cocoa powder and molasses.
Palate is very similar, pear comes to mind again along with toffee and molasses. Oxidation lends a nutty note along with a touch of cocoa. Full body with low carbonation. To my surprise, this is aging very well and tastes much better than it did fresh.
Apr 10, 2012
4.16/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle at City Beer.
Caramel brown body with some chill haze, clears up as it warms. Lower-moderate carbonation, little in the way of head or lacing.
The nose is surprisingly nice. Toffee and strong fruity esters that are very pear-like. Pleasantly oxidized, nutty, some cocoa powder and molasses.
Palate is very similar, pear comes to mind again along with toffee and molasses. Oxidation lends a nutty note along with a touch of cocoa. Full body with low carbonation. To my surprise, this is aging very well and tastes much better than it did fresh.
Apr 10, 2012
KevSal from California
4.6/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Huge thanks goes out to Norcalgrowler for treating me to a bottle of piat at city beer store, needless to say I really owe you one marco, thank you!
3 years old, let's see how it holds up
750 poured into two tulips
A- looks pretty darn good so far. Murky reddish brown , half inch of reddish brown head. more carbonation than I was expecting.
S- smells really good! Sweet malts, brown sugar and a bit of Belgian yeast. a slight pear scent in the back ground. My only gripe with the nose is how faint it is, by it's there.
T- wow. I wasn't expecting much from this guy honestly, kept thinking it was going to be like cuadeuple, luckily it's not at all. The pears take a huge step forward that makes this guy taste spectacular! I love every sip. Tons of dark fruits, sweet malts, slight tartness in the finish. I was prepared for a big let down here but this is aging pretty freaking well. The second glass was even tastier.
M- nice thick body which is well carbonated. Works very well with the dark fruit. The body makes this beer excellent.
O- yoa, definitely an amazing surprise. I was expecting over hype to ruin this one for me but I really think we were lucky enough to catch this guy at its peak, I don't see it improving much more than this. Can it make 12 years? Doubtful, but I can tell you it delicious now. Is it worth wales? Depends but I'd drink it sooner rather than later.
Marco, again i appreciate it buddy!
Jan 14, 2012
4.6/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Huge thanks goes out to Norcalgrowler for treating me to a bottle of piat at city beer store, needless to say I really owe you one marco, thank you!
3 years old, let's see how it holds up
750 poured into two tulips
A- looks pretty darn good so far. Murky reddish brown , half inch of reddish brown head. more carbonation than I was expecting.
S- smells really good! Sweet malts, brown sugar and a bit of Belgian yeast. a slight pear scent in the back ground. My only gripe with the nose is how faint it is, by it's there.
T- wow. I wasn't expecting much from this guy honestly, kept thinking it was going to be like cuadeuple, luckily it's not at all. The pears take a huge step forward that makes this guy taste spectacular! I love every sip. Tons of dark fruits, sweet malts, slight tartness in the finish. I was prepared for a big let down here but this is aging pretty freaking well. The second glass was even tastier.
M- nice thick body which is well carbonated. Works very well with the dark fruit. The body makes this beer excellent.
O- yoa, definitely an amazing surprise. I was expecting over hype to ruin this one for me but I really think we were lucky enough to catch this guy at its peak, I don't see it improving much more than this. Can it make 12 years? Doubtful, but I can tell you it delicious now. Is it worth wales? Depends but I'd drink it sooner rather than later.
Marco, again i appreciate it buddy!
Jan 14, 2012
mdfb79 from New York
4.25/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Huge thanks to Amyliz4 for sharing this one! Was not expecting to ever have this one.
a - Pours a murky reddish brown color with moderate carbonation evident and one inch of white head.
s - Smells of sweet dark fruits, molasses, brown sugar, raisins, bready malts, and light toffee and caramel malts. Very fruity and sweet, but I like it.
t - Tastes of sweet dark fruits, molasses, vanilla, caramel malts, toffee, Belgian eyast, light spice, figs, raisins, and lightly toasted malts. More caramel here and not as quite as the nose, which makes it a lot better for me. A step up from the nose and really nice.
m - Medium body and low carbonation, very smooth and creamy. Very easy to drink....great mouthfeel. No alcohol at all here.
o - Overall a very nice beer. I drank 2TD, 3FH, and 4CB's on Christmas day, so only a week earlier, and much preferred this one to those, as the taste and mouthfeel were great. Was actually surprised with how good this one was after all those on Christmas. Very glad I got a chance to try this one.
Jan 03, 2012
4.25/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Huge thanks to Amyliz4 for sharing this one! Was not expecting to ever have this one.
a - Pours a murky reddish brown color with moderate carbonation evident and one inch of white head.
s - Smells of sweet dark fruits, molasses, brown sugar, raisins, bready malts, and light toffee and caramel malts. Very fruity and sweet, but I like it.
t - Tastes of sweet dark fruits, molasses, vanilla, caramel malts, toffee, Belgian eyast, light spice, figs, raisins, and lightly toasted malts. More caramel here and not as quite as the nose, which makes it a lot better for me. A step up from the nose and really nice.
m - Medium body and low carbonation, very smooth and creamy. Very easy to drink....great mouthfeel. No alcohol at all here.
o - Overall a very nice beer. I drank 2TD, 3FH, and 4CB's on Christmas day, so only a week earlier, and much preferred this one to those, as the taste and mouthfeel were great. Was actually surprised with how good this one was after all those on Christmas. Very glad I got a chance to try this one.
Jan 03, 2012
yourefragile from District of Columbia
4.17/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
750 mL bottle shared by Amy. Thanks!
Dark brown with a light ran head, minimal lace and low retention. Excellent aroma of dark fruit, plum, raisin and red grape with light vanilla, oak, caramel and toffee. Medium thick body with low carbonation. Flavor has strong brown sugar and molasses from the start over bready yeast and a dark fruit and plum finish. Minimal alcohol presence. Actually, this is a nice quad.
Jan 02, 2012
4.17/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
750 mL bottle shared by Amy. Thanks!
Dark brown with a light ran head, minimal lace and low retention. Excellent aroma of dark fruit, plum, raisin and red grape with light vanilla, oak, caramel and toffee. Medium thick body with low carbonation. Flavor has strong brown sugar and molasses from the start over bready yeast and a dark fruit and plum finish. Minimal alcohol presence. Actually, this is a nice quad.
Jan 02, 2012
Partridge In A Pear Tree from The Bruery
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
174 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with 150 characters or more.
Protips: Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close