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The Devil Is People
Stillwater Artisanal Ales


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Stillwater Artisanal Ales
- Washington, United States
- Style:
- Wild Ale
- ABV:
- 6.66%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.11 | pDev: 7.79%
- Reviews:
- 17
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jul 05, 2021
- Added:
- Feb 01, 2015
- Wants:
- 6
- Gots:
- 10
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
A sour smoked wheat ale. This beer is a “conceptual collaboration of artistry and friendship” between “Indie folk-punk legend, Will Oldham (aka Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy), experimental music ensemble Watter, and postmodern beer designers Stillwater Artisanal, assembled in Louisville.” This beer is part of a unique “sensory experience”.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Roy_Hobbs from Connecticut
3.63/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Honey colored with a decent amount of moderately dense white head that dissipated quickly. Aroma is intensely sour, but doesn't smell quite right. Taste is actually still really good. Sour but not overly so, and a subtle amount of smoke. Not a ton of carbonation.
Jul 05, 2021Reviewed by dbrauneis from North Carolina
4.12/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a very lightly hazy straw yellow in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation and faint lemon yellow highlights. The beer has a three finger tall fizzy foamy off-white head that reduces to a medium to large sized patch of thin film covering a little over half of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of slightly sour wheat malts with slightly stronger aromas of citrus lemon and citrus lemon rind. Very subtle hints of smoke and light fruits (white grape, green apple, pear).
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of grainy + slightly sour wheat malts with a subtle note of smoked wheat. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of lemon citrus and lemon rind citrus which contribute a moderate amount of tartness. Light flavors of light fruits (white grape, green apple, and pear). Very light notes of earthy hops and a subtle hint of brett-like funkiness.
M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Moderate amounts of acidic prickliness.
O: A little lighter than I was expecting but very enjoyable and easy to drink - alcohol is extremely well hidden and the flavors/aromas are quite refreshing.
Feb 19, 2016S: Moderate aromas of slightly sour wheat malts with slightly stronger aromas of citrus lemon and citrus lemon rind. Very subtle hints of smoke and light fruits (white grape, green apple, pear).
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of grainy + slightly sour wheat malts with a subtle note of smoked wheat. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of lemon citrus and lemon rind citrus which contribute a moderate amount of tartness. Light flavors of light fruits (white grape, green apple, and pear). Very light notes of earthy hops and a subtle hint of brett-like funkiness.
M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Moderate amounts of acidic prickliness.
O: A little lighter than I was expecting but very enjoyable and easy to drink - alcohol is extremely well hidden and the flavors/aromas are quite refreshing.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
22 ounce bottle into a tulip glass.
Pours a light gold, slightly hazy, with a two finger head that dissipated amazingly quickly. A small amount of lacing. Smells of yeast, lemon, funk, white grapes, a little malt, a little black pepper. Also an herbal, almost perfumed aroma. Taste is lemon, yeast, light malt, some funk, apple, white grapes. Fair amount of tartness, a little sour. Good body, could use a touch more carbonation.
Really good flavor, good aroma, but overall it really didn't do much for me. A well crafted beer, and I'm glad I tried it, but probably won't again.
Jan 18, 2016Pours a light gold, slightly hazy, with a two finger head that dissipated amazingly quickly. A small amount of lacing. Smells of yeast, lemon, funk, white grapes, a little malt, a little black pepper. Also an herbal, almost perfumed aroma. Taste is lemon, yeast, light malt, some funk, apple, white grapes. Fair amount of tartness, a little sour. Good body, could use a touch more carbonation.
Really good flavor, good aroma, but overall it really didn't do much for me. A well crafted beer, and I'm glad I tried it, but probably won't again.
Reviewed by bluejacket74 from Ohio
3.96/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle, no dating on it that I was able to find. Served in a mug, the beer pours a slightly hazy gold color with about an inch white head that fizzled away quickly. Not much lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like lemon, citrus peel, wheat/grainy malt and some white grapes. I didn't pick up any smoke in the aroma, but it shows up a little bit in the taste. I think it's a mostly tart tasting brew, with lemon, citrus peel, green apple, lime, wheat/grainy malt, smoke and earthy flavors. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's refreshing and easy to drink with a good amount of carbonation. I thought this was good, but I wish the smoke in this was stronger. With that being said, it's certainly worth picking up if you like tart/sour ales. $10.99 a bomber.
Jan 01, 2016Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
4/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
another real good one from stillwater. i thought this was a lot lighter than it sounds like it should be from the description. the fact that its smoked is interesting, its really more of a subtle earthy thing in the flavor of this extremely pale beer. its really delicate in feel too, seems way lower than the listed abv here, and has a very light, almost thin body. very easy drinking. i get a little bit of lemon pucker to the nose, and more funk than sour in the taste, with a slightly acidic brett thing going on, but not a lot of sour and not a lot of smoke. i think its nice to have it all be rather tame, makes it drinkable instead of aggressive, and the nuances come out more as it warms up. it could stand a little more smoke to it though, seems more summer than fall now, and with how dry it is, you sort of lose it before it really has a chance to take hold. nice and slender wheat base to this, flavorful but without texture. carbonation is excellent in draft form, and one could easily make an afternoon of these. another winner from stillwater, these guys are on a serious roll, and can do no wrong lately in my book. did they bottle this one too?
Oct 28, 2015Reviewed by lordofthewiens from New Mexico
4.35/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
In a snifter the beer was a clear gold color. It was very still, with no carbonation.
Nice aroma: tart, smoky, some fruit.
Better taste. Lemons, grapes, smoke, grass.
Very tart, but tempered by the smoke.
Well done!
Aug 28, 2015Nice aroma: tart, smoky, some fruit.
Better taste. Lemons, grapes, smoke, grass.
Very tart, but tempered by the smoke.
Well done!
Reviewed by TheBeerdedCharmer from Pennsylvania
4.34/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is a really nice, refreshing beer. Light yellow in color. Aroma actually kind of smells like champagne. Tartness up front, light, easy drinking. The tartness blends with the smoked flavor to taste like sour grapes. Overall, very drinkable, not overpowering sour. Would definitely pick it up again.
Aug 20, 2015Reviewed by hophugger from Virginia
4.08/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.08/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great beer...Pour looks like a wheat ale, nice !. Aroma is light, head is minimal, taste is magnificent. Sour, lots of it, along with a small hint of smokiness and a light malt backbone. This beer is a great sour, extra sour and is one of the better sours I have had. Finish is clean and crisp and I will def. drink this one again and again !!!
Aug 05, 2015Reviewed by coriswrasse from North Carolina
4.12/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.12/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a solid head at first that settles into a thin layer. No lacing to be had. Taste is really good but no real smoke flavor is coming through; more sour citrus. Subtle citrus and funk smell. Golden in color. Great carbonation. Mouth feel is nice and tart like the gose gone wild but settles in very smooth and then a pleasant oaky dryness. Would buy again.
Aug 04, 2015Reviewed by MattyG85 from Minnesota
4.45/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a stemmed chalice.
Appearance: Pours a hazy golden orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. About one finger of white head that quickly fades away.
Smell: A fruity, sour, and smoky aroma with a scent of zesty fruits, spice, and smoked malt. Big fruit presence with hints of lemon, green apple, lime, white grapes, and pear. Funky hints of Brett yeast along with some spice hints of coriander and pepper. Malt hints of wheat, straw, cracker, and smoke with a hint of peat. Subtle hints of grassy hops. A very good and unique aroma.
Taste: Like it smells, a nicely sour, fruity, and smoky taste with notes of fruit, spices, funk, and smoke. Lots of fruit with notes of lime, lemon, green apple, white grape, and pear. Brett yeast gives some funk. Spice notes of peppers and coriander. Wheat with some notes of straw, cracker, and smoked malt. Light background notes of earthy hops. A very good taste.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a fairly high level of carbonation. Juicy, prickly, and very drying on the finish.
Overall: A very unique and good spin on a Sour. Good mix of fruits, funk, and spice with a nice moderate dose of smoke.
Aug 02, 2015Appearance: Pours a hazy golden orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. About one finger of white head that quickly fades away.
Smell: A fruity, sour, and smoky aroma with a scent of zesty fruits, spice, and smoked malt. Big fruit presence with hints of lemon, green apple, lime, white grapes, and pear. Funky hints of Brett yeast along with some spice hints of coriander and pepper. Malt hints of wheat, straw, cracker, and smoke with a hint of peat. Subtle hints of grassy hops. A very good and unique aroma.
Taste: Like it smells, a nicely sour, fruity, and smoky taste with notes of fruit, spices, funk, and smoke. Lots of fruit with notes of lime, lemon, green apple, white grape, and pear. Brett yeast gives some funk. Spice notes of peppers and coriander. Wheat with some notes of straw, cracker, and smoked malt. Light background notes of earthy hops. A very good taste.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a fairly high level of carbonation. Juicy, prickly, and very drying on the finish.
Overall: A very unique and good spin on a Sour. Good mix of fruits, funk, and spice with a nice moderate dose of smoke.
The Devil Is People from Stillwater Artisanal Ales
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
65 ratings
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