Ol' Oi!
Jester King Brewery
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Wild Ale
Ranked #375 - ABV:
- 6.3%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #3,004 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 9.4%
- Reviews:
- 46
- Ratings:
- From:
- Jester King Brewery
- Texas, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 90
- Gots
- 81
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Notes:
In Britain, what started out as young or “mild” dark ale was once aged in oak barrels to make something that was likely similar to sour brown ales of East Flanders. Using a similar base recipe to Commercial Suicide Dark Mild, Ol’ Oi! is Jester King’s tribute to that tradition.
Reviews: 46
| Ratings: 437
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puck1225 from Texas
4.17/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had this from draft at the brewery. Unfortunately, we still have virus protocols going so this was served in a plastic cup. Even so, this beer looked good with a nice head and lacing. Sour apple smell and taste, along with rich red wine. Woodsy and earthy with some toasted malt finish. Some cherry and berry flavors are revealed as it warms. A very good wild dark ale.
Oct 17, 2020
4.17/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had this from draft at the brewery. Unfortunately, we still have virus protocols going so this was served in a plastic cup. Even so, this beer looked good with a nice head and lacing. Sour apple smell and taste, along with rich red wine. Woodsy and earthy with some toasted malt finish. Some cherry and berry flavors are revealed as it warms. A very good wild dark ale.
Oct 17, 2020
Cashbail from New Hampshire
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Would give this a six if I could. Carbonated on the front and mellow with almond and stone fruit on the back end. This was Batch #6 bottled in January 2020. I wish I bought more than one for aging.
Aug 29, 2020
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Would give this a six if I could. Carbonated on the front and mellow with almond and stone fruit on the back end. This was Batch #6 bottled in January 2020. I wish I bought more than one for aging.
Aug 29, 2020
HipCzech from Texas
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Serving: 1 pt 9.4 fl oz bottle poured into a Spiegelau beer tulip glass. “Blend # 6 - January 2020.”
Appearance: Deep, dark brown with an inch of thick, tan foam, and nice lacing as it drinks.
Smell: Lightly toasted grains, red wine vinegar, tart vinegar, leather, oak and earthy minerals.
Taste: Tart berries and bright vinegar, slight fruit and malt sweetness, along with slight toasted grains, toffee, and lingering lactic acid funk.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with lively carbonation and refreshing feel.
Overall: Another well crafted, balanced but complex offering from Jester King. Bright, tart and refreshing, but with some heftier toasted malt and earth character.
Jul 05, 2020
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Serving: 1 pt 9.4 fl oz bottle poured into a Spiegelau beer tulip glass. “Blend # 6 - January 2020.”
Appearance: Deep, dark brown with an inch of thick, tan foam, and nice lacing as it drinks.
Smell: Lightly toasted grains, red wine vinegar, tart vinegar, leather, oak and earthy minerals.
Taste: Tart berries and bright vinegar, slight fruit and malt sweetness, along with slight toasted grains, toffee, and lingering lactic acid funk.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with lively carbonation and refreshing feel.
Overall: Another well crafted, balanced but complex offering from Jester King. Bright, tart and refreshing, but with some heftier toasted malt and earth character.
Jul 05, 2020
Sabtos from Ohio
4.06/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Foggy but enticing chestnut brown with some thin lighter brown edges and a short but persistent tan head settling to a creamy blanket with high retention.
Definitely like a Oud Bruin, or even a Flanders Red such as the good Duchesse, but less sour. Tart crabapple and cran-cherry mix with a moderate brown roast and some dark oak.
The smooth medium body has a soft filling carbonation. A softly dark, toasty exhale comes out after the powder dry finish, while a faint hint of stinky cheese arises as it warms.
Apr 18, 2020
4.06/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Foggy but enticing chestnut brown with some thin lighter brown edges and a short but persistent tan head settling to a creamy blanket with high retention.
Definitely like a Oud Bruin, or even a Flanders Red such as the good Duchesse, but less sour. Tart crabapple and cran-cherry mix with a moderate brown roast and some dark oak.
The smooth medium body has a soft filling carbonation. A softly dark, toasty exhale comes out after the powder dry finish, while a faint hint of stinky cheese arises as it warms.
Apr 18, 2020
Stevedore from Oregon
3.93/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, served in a willi becher glass. Pours a murky cola brown body, one finger thick offwhite head, good retention, not much lacing. Smell is lemon, brett leather, a bit of oak, light toasted grain, a bit of toffee, fairly sweet and not too acidic. Flavour is mild, like a light porter with brett in it. Touch of leather, fair bit of lemon, mild acetic acidity, fair bit of oak and a little vanillin. Mouthfeel is medium-lighter bodied, slightly watery, actually what I'd expect from the brettanomyces. Anyway, its a little thin and lacking much on the backend, maybe a slight lemony acidity. Reminds me a lot of New Glarus' R&D Sour Porter, which is another one of these beers brewed in a theoretically historical tradition, always cool to see breweries doing this.
Jul 02, 2017
3.93/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, served in a willi becher glass. Pours a murky cola brown body, one finger thick offwhite head, good retention, not much lacing. Smell is lemon, brett leather, a bit of oak, light toasted grain, a bit of toffee, fairly sweet and not too acidic. Flavour is mild, like a light porter with brett in it. Touch of leather, fair bit of lemon, mild acetic acidity, fair bit of oak and a little vanillin. Mouthfeel is medium-lighter bodied, slightly watery, actually what I'd expect from the brettanomyces. Anyway, its a little thin and lacking much on the backend, maybe a slight lemony acidity. Reminds me a lot of New Glarus' R&D Sour Porter, which is another one of these beers brewed in a theoretically historical tradition, always cool to see breweries doing this.
Jul 02, 2017
Premo88 from Texas
4.4/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
25.4 oz. bottle poured into Jester King Snorkel snifter
(Blend #5 — 3/8/2017; 6.2% ABV)
L: clear brown-orange pouring out of bottle, bronze more than copper with less amber and more brown in it; pushes up short but thick head of offwhite/beige foam about 1/2-inch tall; minor sticking, almost no lacing, keeps a thin but constant collar of foam
S: a cloud of vinegar/fingernail polish comes off it as it pours; super tart cranberries; kumquats, lemons, lemon peel; as it warms, quite vinous but with enough fruit sweetness (tart cranberry again) to give it that good Flanders oud bruin pop
T: tart cranberries and lots of fingernail polish, the most of any Jester King brew I've encountered, gives it just a twinge of sweetness along with vinegar, lemon, lemonade and super tart cranberries or even raspberries; as the palate adjusts, all of Jester King's yeasty barn must flavor and old beat-up hop earthiness (Golding hops in this case) takes over, and the beer begins tasting a bit more like JK farmhouse and less of a Flanders oud bruin, though the vinous and cranberry notes never stray too far; as vinous as it gets, there's almost a pinch of molasses in the finish as you near the halfway point of the first full glass
F: despite a middling show off the pour, there's loads of good bottle-conditioned carbonation that mixes perfectly with a light-middleweight liquid; JK excels in this area and does so again with Ol' Oi!
O: arguably a fantastic Flanders oud bruin ... it's main flavor is a bit more lemony than cranberry, but it does have that slightly vinous tart cranberry note of the good oud bruin; when the JK yeast profile kicks in, it becomes tied to that farmhouse outside Austin ... amazing how they've created their own signature; everything a good "sour" is meant to be
May 29, 2017
4.4/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
25.4 oz. bottle poured into Jester King Snorkel snifter
(Blend #5 — 3/8/2017; 6.2% ABV)
L: clear brown-orange pouring out of bottle, bronze more than copper with less amber and more brown in it; pushes up short but thick head of offwhite/beige foam about 1/2-inch tall; minor sticking, almost no lacing, keeps a thin but constant collar of foam
S: a cloud of vinegar/fingernail polish comes off it as it pours; super tart cranberries; kumquats, lemons, lemon peel; as it warms, quite vinous but with enough fruit sweetness (tart cranberry again) to give it that good Flanders oud bruin pop
T: tart cranberries and lots of fingernail polish, the most of any Jester King brew I've encountered, gives it just a twinge of sweetness along with vinegar, lemon, lemonade and super tart cranberries or even raspberries; as the palate adjusts, all of Jester King's yeasty barn must flavor and old beat-up hop earthiness (Golding hops in this case) takes over, and the beer begins tasting a bit more like JK farmhouse and less of a Flanders oud bruin, though the vinous and cranberry notes never stray too far; as vinous as it gets, there's almost a pinch of molasses in the finish as you near the halfway point of the first full glass
F: despite a middling show off the pour, there's loads of good bottle-conditioned carbonation that mixes perfectly with a light-middleweight liquid; JK excels in this area and does so again with Ol' Oi!
O: arguably a fantastic Flanders oud bruin ... it's main flavor is a bit more lemony than cranberry, but it does have that slightly vinous tart cranberry note of the good oud bruin; when the JK yeast profile kicks in, it becomes tied to that farmhouse outside Austin ... amazing how they've created their own signature; everything a good "sour" is meant to be
May 29, 2017
StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
4.63/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
750ml bottle
Pours dark maroon red-brown with a creamy light khaki colored foam head. Smells very complex almost like a Lambic - Flanders Red mix, with mild smoke, woody cork, spice, red wine, dark fruits, tart cherry, red grapes, caramel, chocolate, molasses, dark brown sugar, toasted bready malts, oak, with floral earthy herbal grassy pine. Tastes acidic and almost vinegary with notes of mild smoke, woody cork, spice, red wine, sour dark fruits, tart cherry, red grapes, caramel, chocolate, molasses, dark brown sugar, toasted bready malt, oak, with floral earthy herbal grassy pine. Feels medium bodied, creamy with moderate high carbonation. Overall a nice barrel aged sour brown ale.
May 22, 2017
4.63/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
750ml bottle
Pours dark maroon red-brown with a creamy light khaki colored foam head. Smells very complex almost like a Lambic - Flanders Red mix, with mild smoke, woody cork, spice, red wine, dark fruits, tart cherry, red grapes, caramel, chocolate, molasses, dark brown sugar, toasted bready malts, oak, with floral earthy herbal grassy pine. Tastes acidic and almost vinegary with notes of mild smoke, woody cork, spice, red wine, sour dark fruits, tart cherry, red grapes, caramel, chocolate, molasses, dark brown sugar, toasted bready malt, oak, with floral earthy herbal grassy pine. Feels medium bodied, creamy with moderate high carbonation. Overall a nice barrel aged sour brown ale.
May 22, 2017
Phineasco from Massachusetts
4.42/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Look: Dark brown with three inch head that recedes quickly.
Smell: Funky, smoky, sap, and bark.
Taste: Tart, Grape, red wine, funky, and smoke.
Mouthfeel: Complex and unique.
Mouthfeel: An interesting dark, tart sour ale.
May 22, 2017
4.42/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Look: Dark brown with three inch head that recedes quickly.
Smell: Funky, smoky, sap, and bark.
Taste: Tart, Grape, red wine, funky, and smoke.
Mouthfeel: Complex and unique.
Mouthfeel: An interesting dark, tart sour ale.
May 22, 2017
stephens101 from Oklahoma
4.1/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark, rusty brown and topped with a dense tan froth. That signature JK sour aroma floats forth welcoming. A little sugar and plum are also noticed. The vinegary sourness is obviously noticeable on the palate, but checked with faint notes of plum and even fainter notes of chocolate. Medium in body and quite dry.
More JK goodness as expected.
Sep 22, 2016
4.1/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark, rusty brown and topped with a dense tan froth. That signature JK sour aroma floats forth welcoming. A little sugar and plum are also noticed. The vinegary sourness is obviously noticeable on the palate, but checked with faint notes of plum and even fainter notes of chocolate. Medium in body and quite dry.
More JK goodness as expected.
Sep 22, 2016
jngrizzaffi from Texas
4.06/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a pitch black color with a 1-2 finger width brown head that almost completely dissipates. Lacing is good. Has a nice tart aroma. Hints of cherry and oak. Sour cherry taste up front with some white grape and oak at the end. Mild vinegar like feel at the end. Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Very smooth and balanced sour.
Sep 14, 2016
4.06/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a pitch black color with a 1-2 finger width brown head that almost completely dissipates. Lacing is good. Has a nice tart aroma. Hints of cherry and oak. Sour cherry taste up front with some white grape and oak at the end. Mild vinegar like feel at the end. Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Very smooth and balanced sour.
Sep 14, 2016
BeerSamurai34 from Texas
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is probably one of the most interesting Jester King sours I have had. It is clearly a wild ale with the tartness and carbonation, but strangely I pick up on notes of chocolate. It's almost like chocolate covered fruit. Very subtle, but noticeable.
Jul 12, 2016
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is probably one of the most interesting Jester King sours I have had. It is clearly a wild ale with the tartness and carbonation, but strangely I pick up on notes of chocolate. It's almost like chocolate covered fruit. Very subtle, but noticeable.
Jul 12, 2016
Mateo2699 from Texas
4.74/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Pour is a dark brown with a hint of reddish hue in the light. Tight white bubbled head that sticks around for a while and dissipates to a ring. Smell is cherry funk foward, hints of fresh oak, dark fruit with a subtle nuttiness. Taste is sour white grapes and sour cherry, hints of subtle tartness with oak and a calm earthy finish. Mouthfeel is moderately carbonated, earthy yeast sticks around for a while. Another Fantastic sour from Jester King.
Jul 09, 2016
4.74/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Pour is a dark brown with a hint of reddish hue in the light. Tight white bubbled head that sticks around for a while and dissipates to a ring. Smell is cherry funk foward, hints of fresh oak, dark fruit with a subtle nuttiness. Taste is sour white grapes and sour cherry, hints of subtle tartness with oak and a calm earthy finish. Mouthfeel is moderately carbonated, earthy yeast sticks around for a while. Another Fantastic sour from Jester King.
Jul 09, 2016
thatche2 from Georgia
4.35/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured on draught in a tulip glass. Blend #4.
Appearance is dark brown with some transparency around the edges. Head is one finger thick with good retention.
Smell is sour cherries and funk with some lime flavors.
Taste is sour cherries similar to a Flanders red. Fairly sour with some sweetness for good balance.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. There is a nice pucker from the sourness.
Overall this is one of the most well balanced sour beers I have had of this style. There isn't a ton of complexity, but the flavors are really good. Some cherry flavors are present resembling a Belgian Kriek.
Apr 08, 2016
4.35/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured on draught in a tulip glass. Blend #4.
Appearance is dark brown with some transparency around the edges. Head is one finger thick with good retention.
Smell is sour cherries and funk with some lime flavors.
Taste is sour cherries similar to a Flanders red. Fairly sour with some sweetness for good balance.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. There is a nice pucker from the sourness.
Overall this is one of the most well balanced sour beers I have had of this style. There isn't a ton of complexity, but the flavors are really good. Some cherry flavors are present resembling a Belgian Kriek.
Apr 08, 2016
chinchill from South Carolina
3.45/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Large shared bottle.
Mildly tart with w moderately strong flavor and near negligible funk.
Hazy dark brown body with a good head.
Aroma of sour dark fruits.
Jan 03, 2016
3.45/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Large shared bottle.
Mildly tart with w moderately strong flavor and near negligible funk.
Hazy dark brown body with a good head.
Aroma of sour dark fruits.
Jan 03, 2016
dar482 from New York
3.99/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The beer hits of musty green apple., cider vinegar tart notes, then onto some toasted and chocolate malts. The oak offers another layer as the finish has some drying oak.
Nov 15, 2015
3.99/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The beer hits of musty green apple., cider vinegar tart notes, then onto some toasted and chocolate malts. The oak offers another layer as the finish has some drying oak.
Nov 15, 2015
Kurmaraja from California
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Tannic,oaky, dry cherry, tons of leather and tobacco. A hint of smokiness to it but that just may be the savory flavors playing tricks on me. None of the acetic or vinegar notes one may expect. More in the dry, spicey terrain of Oud Bruins. Really great beer.
Aug 19, 2015
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Tannic,oaky, dry cherry, tons of leather and tobacco. A hint of smokiness to it but that just may be the savory flavors playing tricks on me. None of the acetic or vinegar notes one may expect. More in the dry, spicey terrain of Oud Bruins. Really great beer.
Aug 19, 2015
ChrisP802 from Vermont
4.4/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pour - reddish with a nice light brownish head
Smell - fruits, tarts, malts
Taste - sour hits right away followed by the hints of the ale. At this point it was hard to distinguish exact tastes because all I could taste was the sours (in a good way)
Overall - great beer, I hopefully will be able to get more in the future
Aug 16, 2015
4.4/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pour - reddish with a nice light brownish head
Smell - fruits, tarts, malts
Taste - sour hits right away followed by the hints of the ale. At this point it was hard to distinguish exact tastes because all I could taste was the sours (in a good way)
Overall - great beer, I hopefully will be able to get more in the future
Aug 16, 2015
pmangold from Florida
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
another great beer from Jester King - oak, dark fruit play into the sourness well. describing what I tasted is hard since there was so much going on. not the best from Jester but that doesn't mean it isn't worth seeking out.
Jul 27, 2015
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
another great beer from Jester King - oak, dark fruit play into the sourness well. describing what I tasted is hard since there was so much going on. not the best from Jester but that doesn't mean it isn't worth seeking out.
Jul 27, 2015
winningwes91 from North Carolina
4.75/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Pours a gorgeous dark dark red color. Smells really tart and some oak..tastes awesome! So much sourness opens up the palate. Wow. Cherries, oak, smokiness, and some dark fruits. Stellar stuff.
Jul 22, 2015
4.75/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Pours a gorgeous dark dark red color. Smells really tart and some oak..tastes awesome! So much sourness opens up the palate. Wow. Cherries, oak, smokiness, and some dark fruits. Stellar stuff.
Jul 22, 2015
CrazyDavros from Australia
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours red-tinged copper with a small head.
Nose shows cranberries, lemon, raspberry, soft woody oak and faint chocolate.
Similar flavours, with a fair whack of tartness, lemon, chocolate fudge, caramel and raspberries.
Jul 15, 2015
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours red-tinged copper with a small head.
Nose shows cranberries, lemon, raspberry, soft woody oak and faint chocolate.
Similar flavours, with a fair whack of tartness, lemon, chocolate fudge, caramel and raspberries.
Jul 15, 2015
do_ob from Kentucky
4.22/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 mL bottle into a tulip. Pours a medium, roasty brown and settles nearly black in the glass. Upon wiping away the condensation and holding my glass to a light source, a fading body of reddish-brown - or was it brownish-red? - liquid is visible behind the structure. Beautiful hues of warmth surround the bottom and edges, like an invisible hand holding this beer beneath my own. A steady, but slightly aggressive pour from directly above yielded a massive, dense, and sticky head of vanilla-colored foam, just over 2 fingers's width in height. This mound of fluff receded down to a thin, but still dense layer of froth after a few minutes, leaving behind an omnipresent, thick lacing on the walls of the glass.
After warming for about 5 minutes in-glass, a traditional wild yeast aroma is observed mixed with subtle sweet chocolate, caramel, and dark fruit. An incredibly pleasant aroma, yet not overly assertive. Upon tasting, I instantly recognize a beer that is wildly carbonated, relatively light-bodied, and infinitely easy to drink. Before even reaching the taste buds, a lovely and sweet flavor is detected on the lips and nose. Delicious sour notes, figs, and sweet fruit initially with the souring bacteria intensifying in the moments leading up to the finish.
Still incredibly carbonated on the finish, this beer is ever-so smooth going down. Clean and crisp, yet still as smooth as silk. The characteristics of a brown ale really come to life at this point, bringing forward those roasty and charred flavors typical of the malts used in this beer. With the sourness still being present, these two "styles" are meshed flawlessly, combined into a delicious sour roastiness that works better than (my) words can describe.
Jester King has yet to disappoint me. I have to trade to get their beers, but thus far it's been well worth the time and effort. Outstanding.
Jul 12, 2015
4.22/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 mL bottle into a tulip. Pours a medium, roasty brown and settles nearly black in the glass. Upon wiping away the condensation and holding my glass to a light source, a fading body of reddish-brown - or was it brownish-red? - liquid is visible behind the structure. Beautiful hues of warmth surround the bottom and edges, like an invisible hand holding this beer beneath my own. A steady, but slightly aggressive pour from directly above yielded a massive, dense, and sticky head of vanilla-colored foam, just over 2 fingers's width in height. This mound of fluff receded down to a thin, but still dense layer of froth after a few minutes, leaving behind an omnipresent, thick lacing on the walls of the glass.
After warming for about 5 minutes in-glass, a traditional wild yeast aroma is observed mixed with subtle sweet chocolate, caramel, and dark fruit. An incredibly pleasant aroma, yet not overly assertive. Upon tasting, I instantly recognize a beer that is wildly carbonated, relatively light-bodied, and infinitely easy to drink. Before even reaching the taste buds, a lovely and sweet flavor is detected on the lips and nose. Delicious sour notes, figs, and sweet fruit initially with the souring bacteria intensifying in the moments leading up to the finish.
Still incredibly carbonated on the finish, this beer is ever-so smooth going down. Clean and crisp, yet still as smooth as silk. The characteristics of a brown ale really come to life at this point, bringing forward those roasty and charred flavors typical of the malts used in this beer. With the sourness still being present, these two "styles" are meshed flawlessly, combined into a delicious sour roastiness that works better than (my) words can describe.
Jester King has yet to disappoint me. I have to trade to get their beers, but thus far it's been well worth the time and effort. Outstanding.
Jul 12, 2015
kevanb from Illinois
3.92/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
750ml bottle, Blend #2 - dated October 9, 2013, poured into a Jester King oversized wine glass.
The beer pours a dark, murky, cola brown color, thick and opaque with a really dense, tan colored head, great retention, about a finger high that yields a tremendous amount of sticky lace. The aroma is nice, dark cherry pits, rich grain, musty oak, light vinegar with some dark fruits, like plum or raisin, a bit simple, but pleasantly sour. The flavors are in line, plums and cherries at the start, earthy pits, chewy oak and dark grains, definitely getting a lot of standard english mild character a bit ashy, lightly sour red grapes, a hint of vinegar and touch of barnyard round this out, much clearer focus on the tongue, good balance and expression. The mouthfeel is good, coating, soft, a bit creamy, lighter at the finish, lower carbonation with moderate zip, tart pucker as it goes down.
Verdict: A nice American Wild Ale from Jester King, definitely an unusual beer, but well presented take on a historically lesser known style. Dark and hearty with strong earthiness, lightly sour, an enjoyable beer for sure.
Mar 24, 2015
3.92/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
750ml bottle, Blend #2 - dated October 9, 2013, poured into a Jester King oversized wine glass.
The beer pours a dark, murky, cola brown color, thick and opaque with a really dense, tan colored head, great retention, about a finger high that yields a tremendous amount of sticky lace. The aroma is nice, dark cherry pits, rich grain, musty oak, light vinegar with some dark fruits, like plum or raisin, a bit simple, but pleasantly sour. The flavors are in line, plums and cherries at the start, earthy pits, chewy oak and dark grains, definitely getting a lot of standard english mild character a bit ashy, lightly sour red grapes, a hint of vinegar and touch of barnyard round this out, much clearer focus on the tongue, good balance and expression. The mouthfeel is good, coating, soft, a bit creamy, lighter at the finish, lower carbonation with moderate zip, tart pucker as it goes down.
Verdict: A nice American Wild Ale from Jester King, definitely an unusual beer, but well presented take on a historically lesser known style. Dark and hearty with strong earthiness, lightly sour, an enjoyable beer for sure.
Mar 24, 2015
Tommo from Texas
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2016 batch, draft at JK. Wonderful. Classic jester king funk with a gentle sour overtone. Amazing body and a very smooth feel. Top notch
This used to be better, newest (2015) batch was thin. Going to age this up and possibly re-review
Mar 08, 2015
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2016 batch, draft at JK. Wonderful. Classic jester king funk with a gentle sour overtone. Amazing body and a very smooth feel. Top notch
This used to be better, newest (2015) batch was thin. Going to age this up and possibly re-review
Mar 08, 2015
superspak from Ohio
4.2/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got in a trade with cyde. 750 ml bottle into signature tulip glass; Blend 2, bottled 10/9/2013. Pours slightly hazy deep reddish brown color with a 1 finger dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of sour cherry, green apple, raisin, plum, red wine, toast, caramel, chocolate, brown bread, oak, vinegar, hay, straw, grass, light leather, musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, dark malt, and oak barrel notes; with good strength. Taste of big sour cherry, green apple, raisin, plum, red wine, caramel, toast, chocolate, brown bread, oak, vinegar, hay, straw, grass, light leather, musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness. God amount of acidic tartness and yeast spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of sour cherry, green apple, raisin, plum, red wine, caramel, toast, brown bread, oak, light leather, musty funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Outstanding complexity and balance of fruity/funky/acidix yeast, dark malt, and oak barrel flavors; with a great malt/acidity balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth, moderately acidic, and fairly creamy mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an awesome sour brown ale! All around great complexity and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, dark malt, and oak barrel flavors; and very smooth to sip on with the balanced acidity. A highly enjoyable offering.
Aug 30, 2014
4.2/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got in a trade with cyde. 750 ml bottle into signature tulip glass; Blend 2, bottled 10/9/2013. Pours slightly hazy deep reddish brown color with a 1 finger dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of sour cherry, green apple, raisin, plum, red wine, toast, caramel, chocolate, brown bread, oak, vinegar, hay, straw, grass, light leather, musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, dark malt, and oak barrel notes; with good strength. Taste of big sour cherry, green apple, raisin, plum, red wine, caramel, toast, chocolate, brown bread, oak, vinegar, hay, straw, grass, light leather, musty funk, and yeast/oak earthiness. God amount of acidic tartness and yeast spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of sour cherry, green apple, raisin, plum, red wine, caramel, toast, brown bread, oak, light leather, musty funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Outstanding complexity and balance of fruity/funky/acidix yeast, dark malt, and oak barrel flavors; with a great malt/acidity balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth, moderately acidic, and fairly creamy mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an awesome sour brown ale! All around great complexity and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, dark malt, and oak barrel flavors; and very smooth to sip on with the balanced acidity. A highly enjoyable offering.
Aug 30, 2014
gcamparone from Rhode Island
4.52/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a jester king stemmed glass. Acquired in a trade from Camille, thanks!
Appearance - pours a deep muddy brown body with amber highlights. A thick, frothy, cloudy off white head rises and falls slowly to leave thick lacing and retention foam. Very inviting .
Smell - Tart aromas, acidic citrus, sour apple, slight toffee, caramel, leathery aromas in the background.
Taste - upfront the acidity hits the tongue right away - sour lactic , citrusy tartness, sour apple, astringent citrus rind. Up next come the brown ale characteristics - toffee, caramel, nuttiness, some butterscotch. The finish exhibits some of the barrel notes - wood and leathery aftertaste.
Mouthfeel -medium light body, medium carbonation. Easy drinker.
Overall I was very impressed with this lesser known JK sour - amazingly complex and tasty, and I really liked how the brown ale characteristics mingled with the other flavors.
Jul 31, 2014
4.52/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a jester king stemmed glass. Acquired in a trade from Camille, thanks!
Appearance - pours a deep muddy brown body with amber highlights. A thick, frothy, cloudy off white head rises and falls slowly to leave thick lacing and retention foam. Very inviting .
Smell - Tart aromas, acidic citrus, sour apple, slight toffee, caramel, leathery aromas in the background.
Taste - upfront the acidity hits the tongue right away - sour lactic , citrusy tartness, sour apple, astringent citrus rind. Up next come the brown ale characteristics - toffee, caramel, nuttiness, some butterscotch. The finish exhibits some of the barrel notes - wood and leathery aftertaste.
Mouthfeel -medium light body, medium carbonation. Easy drinker.
Overall I was very impressed with this lesser known JK sour - amazingly complex and tasty, and I really liked how the brown ale characteristics mingled with the other flavors.
Jul 31, 2014
Ol' Oi! from Jester King Brewery
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
437 ratings
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