Dogpatch Sour | Almanac Beer Co.
Brewed by:
Almanac Beer Co.
California, United States
almanacbeer.com
Style: American Wild Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
This barrel-aged wild ale is named for our San Francisco neighborhood and pays tribute to the Flanders Red style of beer. Aged in wine barrels, this lightly tart ale is brewed with California Rainier cherries using a house blend of wild yeasts, bacteria and SF sourdough yeast. Pair this complex ale with ripe figs & blue cheese or seafood bouillabaisse.
Added by Piddmeista on 07-25-2013
Ratings: 1,125 | Reviews: 125
3.51/5 rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a slight hazy burnt orange to burnt red color with a one finger white foamy head that quickly dissipated and left no lacing. The smell started off with sour and tart cherries invading some light citrus and a light malty background. The taste was mostly the same as the aroma. Tart and sour cherries roll into sour to bitter citrus rind all rolling about and feeling out the aftertaste with a sly sour and dry feel in the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sipping quality about it. Carbonation feels good and right at par for the AWA style. Nice bitter harshness pounds on my tongue, but not overbearing. Overall, as an AWA, it works, hmmmm, as a Sour Red/Brown ale, I’d say I guess it works.
794 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a slight hazy burnt orange to burnt red color with a one finger white foamy head that quickly dissipated and left no lacing. The smell started off with sour and tart cherries invading some light citrus and a light malty background. The taste was mostly the same as the aroma. Tart and sour cherries roll into sour to bitter citrus rind all rolling about and feeling out the aftertaste with a sly sour and dry feel in the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sipping quality about it. Carbonation feels good and right at par for the AWA style. Nice bitter harshness pounds on my tongue, but not overbearing. Overall, as an AWA, it works, hmmmm, as a Sour Red/Brown ale, I’d say I guess it works.
794 characters
3.27/5 rDev -21.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.25
While this beer has a pleasant tartness and enjoyable cherry notes, it's ultimately one note. Its a tart, sour cherry beer with no underlying complexities, no body, and little soul. It grows tiresome quickly. Some underlying funk would do this beer wonders. Bes to be paired with food rather than drank alone.
309 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.25
While this beer has a pleasant tartness and enjoyable cherry notes, it's ultimately one note. Its a tart, sour cherry beer with no underlying complexities, no body, and little soul. It grows tiresome quickly. Some underlying funk would do this beer wonders. Bes to be paired with food rather than drank alone.
309 characters
4.27/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A 375ml bottle, Batch No.4, bottled in May 2015. Poured into a Lost Abbey teku glass.
Appearance: A clear copper amber colour with a one finger off white head that dissipated quickly while leaving sparse lacing.
Aroma: Cherry, hard candy, wine and barrel.
Taste: Tart, sour cherry, red wine, acidic, vinegar and oak.
Mouthfeel: Dry, medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation.
Overall: This was nice and refreshing with good tartness. Would be even better with even more cherries and perhaps slightly less acidity.
524 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A 375ml bottle, Batch No.4, bottled in May 2015. Poured into a Lost Abbey teku glass.
Appearance: A clear copper amber colour with a one finger off white head that dissipated quickly while leaving sparse lacing.
Aroma: Cherry, hard candy, wine and barrel.
Taste: Tart, sour cherry, red wine, acidic, vinegar and oak.
Mouthfeel: Dry, medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation.
Overall: This was nice and refreshing with good tartness. Would be even better with even more cherries and perhaps slightly less acidity.
524 characters
3.88/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours copper with a ruby hue, with a small soda-pop head that quickly dissipates. Nose is mild wine must and a bit of tannic wood. Not really getting cherry unless I search for it. Also some slight brett. Taste is a straightforward citric sour, with hints of red wine barrel and cherry. Not really getting the complexity I hoped for. Overall, pretty good but was expecting a bit more.
390 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours copper with a ruby hue, with a small soda-pop head that quickly dissipates. Nose is mild wine must and a bit of tannic wood. Not really getting cherry unless I search for it. Also some slight brett. Taste is a straightforward citric sour, with hints of red wine barrel and cherry. Not really getting the complexity I hoped for. Overall, pretty good but was expecting a bit more.
390 characters
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
375ml bottle poured into a tulip
A- pours a deep amber color with a ruby hue, thin creamy off-white head that has good retention
S- dark cherry and vinous red wine aromas, slight barnyard funk, dried hay, earthy wood
T- tart cherries up front with some white wine notes, plenty of tartness at the mid-palate, the finish gives a bit of oak and funk
M- medium body and carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and a crisp dry finish
O- strong tartness throughout, but rather one-dimensional at times
501 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
375ml bottle poured into a tulip
A- pours a deep amber color with a ruby hue, thin creamy off-white head that has good retention
S- dark cherry and vinous red wine aromas, slight barnyard funk, dried hay, earthy wood
T- tart cherries up front with some white wine notes, plenty of tartness at the mid-palate, the finish gives a bit of oak and funk
M- medium body and carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and a crisp dry finish
O- strong tartness throughout, but rather one-dimensional at times
501 characters
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
35cl bottle. Clear copper pour with a thin off-white head with poor retention. Notes of cherries, caramel, blue cheese, apple vinegar and tons of macerated cherries. Some vanilla and oak barrel, especially in the aroma. Medium body and carbonation with a very tart and fizzy finish.
282 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
35cl bottle. Clear copper pour with a thin off-white head with poor retention. Notes of cherries, caramel, blue cheese, apple vinegar and tons of macerated cherries. Some vanilla and oak barrel, especially in the aroma. Medium body and carbonation with a very tart and fizzy finish.
282 characters
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I love Almanac’s Farm to Barrel series - and this I was holding off on, but just couldn’t wait any longer now that I have a bottle of Dogpatch Grand Cru in the cellar, going to put this one into my belly.
Appearance: Cherry juice - cloudy, and ruby rose pink, lots of quick fast rising carbonation, quick forming and quick dissipating effervescent pale pink head leaving behind no ring, no cap, and no lace - (like a vindictive ex-girlfriend LOL)
Aromatics: Very acetic sour cherries and gentle farmhouse funk. A sweet semi-dry hay likes to mosey its way in along with some underlying newly risen bread and hints of wine vinegar.
Taste: Pa-Pow! Much like it’s Blueberry sibling, it packs an awesome sour punch. Full of cherries, juicy, and acidic. There is a light bready quality, and the vinous flavours are nicely melded to the fruit.
Palate: Acid and slightly worn fuzzy socks waterslide by the palate and the carbonation playing tiny fizz games in this medium body. There is an every so mild boozy kick at the tail end if you pack too much into the mouth. And the finish is tangy but still clean, and dry.
Overall: Super great. I’m almost thinking the Blueberry had one up’d it though - but so close. It has glamour and attitude that I enjoy a lot in a sour.
Pairing: Same as the other Farm to Barrels - best with a large full (and preferably holiday) type meal. Bring on the turkeys, hams, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy… lots of gravy.
1,468 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I love Almanac’s Farm to Barrel series - and this I was holding off on, but just couldn’t wait any longer now that I have a bottle of Dogpatch Grand Cru in the cellar, going to put this one into my belly.
Appearance: Cherry juice - cloudy, and ruby rose pink, lots of quick fast rising carbonation, quick forming and quick dissipating effervescent pale pink head leaving behind no ring, no cap, and no lace - (like a vindictive ex-girlfriend LOL)
Aromatics: Very acetic sour cherries and gentle farmhouse funk. A sweet semi-dry hay likes to mosey its way in along with some underlying newly risen bread and hints of wine vinegar.
Taste: Pa-Pow! Much like it’s Blueberry sibling, it packs an awesome sour punch. Full of cherries, juicy, and acidic. There is a light bready quality, and the vinous flavours are nicely melded to the fruit.
Palate: Acid and slightly worn fuzzy socks waterslide by the palate and the carbonation playing tiny fizz games in this medium body. There is an every so mild boozy kick at the tail end if you pack too much into the mouth. And the finish is tangy but still clean, and dry.
Overall: Super great. I’m almost thinking the Blueberry had one up’d it though - but so close. It has glamour and attitude that I enjoy a lot in a sour.
Pairing: Same as the other Farm to Barrels - best with a large full (and preferably holiday) type meal. Bring on the turkeys, hams, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy… lots of gravy.
1,468 characters
4.49/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.17/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled May 2015.
Crystal clear, copper-red, no head.
Lots of sour cherry in the aroma, with a bit of funk.
Fairly sour with some earthy funk. Definitely some bacterial action here.
Moderate body has a moderate acidity, with a drying finish.
246 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled May 2015.
Crystal clear, copper-red, no head.
Lots of sour cherry in the aroma, with a bit of funk.
Fairly sour with some earthy funk. Definitely some bacterial action here.
Moderate body has a moderate acidity, with a drying finish.
246 characters
4.35/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.69/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.08/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dogpatch Sour from Almanac Beer Co.
4.15
out of 5
based on 1,125 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75