Cuvee Four
Redbud Brewing Company

 

Appearance: Pours a cloudy apricot nectar color with a massive head (the beer was a bit of a gusher) that leaves quite a few clumps of lacing

Smell: Melon, kumquat, grass, leather and whiskey notes

Taste: Unusual fruit flavors, up front, bringing the understated sweetness of honeydew melon and the tartness of kumquat; a bit of sugar cake builds underneath, but the mid-palate moves in a grassy, earthy direction culminating with the appearance of leather and the whiskey notes that build into the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: It would be interesting to have tasted a fresh bottle of this just to see how it matured; as it is, there are flavors coming from a variety of directions and the confluence doesn't taste all that great; interesting but not what I love in a Saison

Thanks, BlueOkie, for the opportunity

 

 

Bottle from coldmeat23. Served in a snifter.

A - Ample white foam settles to a thick collar, wisps, and glass-coating lacework. Hazed golden body.

S - Fairly restrained yeast character for a farmhouse ale, with a heft dose of sweeter malts. There's a tropical fruit character that suggests brett, but I'm not entirely sure it was intentional; still works quite well with the malt bill. Whiskey is very light and barrel imparts a bit of vanilla. The dry hops from Cuvee Three are obviously long gone.

T - The taste is a bit more whiskey-forward, with lower sweetness and strong notes of earthy brett, lightly medicinal yeast, and perhaps a touch of oaky vanilla. More 'wild Saison' here than in the aroma, and I like the integration of whiskey and yeast flavors. Not real alcohol presence, nor was I expecting any from a nearly two-year old 7% brew.

M - Smooth , medium body, with pleasant moderate carbonation. Dry in the finish, but not overly barrel heavy.

D - Three and Four in this series were massive improvements over One and Two. I cracked this on a whim as I wanted to clear out some older brews and it was a pleasant surprise; I can see the template for Chase's Prairie beers in this offering.

 

 

 

 

 

This poured out as a hazy yellow with a fluffy white head on top. The retention and lacing were both pretty good on this one. The smell of the beer is funky, with obvious sour aromas of what could be lemon-like. There is a farm-like earthiness as well. The taste gives off some subtle earthy grain flavors as well as a dominant kick of what might be either Brett or some serious oak aging. The mouthfeel is nicely carbonated with a light body, very drinkable to say the least. Finish sharp and dry. Overall it's a pretty good brew. Was a nice beer to try for sure.

 

 

 

 

A: Poured a lightly clouded yellow with a nice white cap and bubbles presenting a moderate amount of lacing

S: Farmhouse/orchard style lighter fruits; pears and apples blended with some white grapes> There is a light bana aroma with some yeasty funky goodness

T: Apples, pears and hay come out first with a light pepperness and funkiness. There is a nice, light banana and small booze sting. Some Earthy and faint wood notes are present but not much on whiskey, detectable yes but well maintained

M: Medium bodied, well carbonated, a little fruity funk y and lightly peppered

O: I did not find much whiskey influence but some remnants of wood barrel, yes. Overall it was a treat.

Poured a hazy yellow. Billowy white head with spotty lacing. I LOVE the color of this beer!

I can get some pepper, a little grass/wheat, and of course some mustiness. 'Fresher' smelling than a lot of funky saisons, I like it.

Taste follows the nose....a little peppery, a little grassy, and a little bit of funk. Very delicious beer.

Medium body with good carbonation...definately not too much carbonation...it could even use a tiny bit more, but that really is nit picking at this point as it is excellent as it is.

Definately an awesome beer. I've recently been on a Hill Farmstead kick, and this is up there with them. I'd love to get some more. If you are rading this and have some...let's talk!

The pour is a cloudy yellow color with a tall white head. A very, very tropical aroma. Nicely bretty with tons of straw and pineapple. Light grass notes, a bit of bread sweetness, and a hint of citric tartness. The flavor is full of fresh pineapple flavor and also has a very good lemon zest note. A light sweetness of bread and tropical fruit. Mild grass, a touch of earth and yeast, and white pepper.

 

7/6/2012

Bottle shared by Jason. Thanks!

A: Slightly hazy yellow with a finger of white foam.

S: Apple and pear with wet leather and earth. Floral character with a faint spiciness. Light whiskey notes.

T: Wheat and grain with a faint spiciness. Leathery and earthy with pervasive orchard fruit character that brings to mind apple. Whiskey is restrained.

M: Medium body with lofty carbonation.

Overall: A nice Saison with some earth and funk. The whiskey barrel is an interesting touch.