Brynhildr's Gift
Olvalde Farm and Brewing Company

Brynhildr's GiftBrynhildr's Gift
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From:
Olvalde Farm and Brewing Company
 
Minnesota, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.9 | pDev: 12.31%
Reviews:
23
Ratings:
68
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 19, 2018
Added:
May 24, 2012
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  7
Brynhildr's Gift is named for the valkyrie Brynhildr, who, upon being awaken by the dragon-slaying hero Sigfried, gave him the gifts of ale and wisdom. While not a traditional Scandinavian ale, I used rye, juniper berries, and some traditional brewing techniques to create a modern farmhouse ale with character that would be recognizable to the old norse.
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Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.89/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
2012 bottling

Appearance: Pours a cloudy russet color with a small head (as can sometimes be the case with a modest gusher); just a few dots of lacing

Smell: Rich caramel tones, blended with over-ripe banana, juniper, clove and a hint of apricot

Taste: The sweet caramel tones underpin the flavors from start to finish; through the middle, the banana, juniper and clove are most prominent, along with more subtle tones of apricot and pear; the juniper becomes more pronounced in the finish, particularly as the beer warms

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with low to moderate carbonation

Overall: Impressive how well this beer has held together since 2012; drinking somewhat like a dubbel with its sweeter profile
Feb 19, 2018
 
Rated: 4.05 by BrewNoob1 from Minnesota

May 23, 2016
Photo of pat61
Reviewed by pat61 from Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours reddish amber with a slight haze under a thin, quickly receding, foam cap. S: Juniper berry nose with hints of vegetal, light malt and fruit. T: The juniper berries blend well with big saison yeast fruit flavors of citrus and light tropical with traces of caramel in the background. Yeast flavors are medium high, malt flavors are medium to medium low and hop flavors and bitterness are low. F: Effervescent, highly carbonated with a medium light body. O: The ceramic swing top caps do not always provide the best seal – every now and again I get a bottle that is flat. Its still drinkable but not as nice.
Nov 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by teamwiggum from Wisconsin

Jun 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Tyecko from Minnesota

Jun 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.06 by viers002 from Minnesota

Mar 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.31 by Whiskeydeez from Kansas

Jan 26, 2015
Photo of joe1510
Reviewed by joe1510 from Illinois

3.92/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
750ml Swingtop
$12.99
Warehouse Liquor's - Duluth, MN

2014 Bottling

Brynhildr's Gift pours still, even when pouring from high. After sitting for a few seconds the cascade effect kicks and and slowly starts forming a head on this beer, strange, interesting. The head does fade back to a slim ring though. The body is highly saturated orange and absolutely glows when backlit. I'd like some more foam but it's a good looking beer regardless.

This guy has a very unusual, interesting nose. Juniper is vibrant from front to back with slightly sweet, but somewhat green, berry qualities. Candied citrus and orange marmalade add another layer of mouthwatering sweetness. A drizzle of caramel, a spicy rye back, and ripe berries make for an interesting overall whiff. Deep pulls release some orchard fruity esters, peach and pear, a little muddled. For the uniqueness alone this beer has my mouth watering.

The flavor profile isn't far from the nose though a little sweeter and not as clean. Caramel lays the base while rye adds spice along the periphery. Juniper berries run front to back, again with that refreshing, bright, green berry quality that borders, but never reaches, tart. Orange marmalade is back and combines with the candied citrus peel. This is a good beer it's just a little on the sloppy side if I'm going to be picky.

The body weighs in a touch above moderate with a smooth sweetness. The bubbles are minimal which makes for a slow moving beverine. A soft herbal bitterness lingers and the alcohol is nowhere to be found. This is an easy drinker, especially when taking the 8.2% into account.

This is the first beer I've had from Olvalde Farm and I really enjoy the uniqueness and the flavor profile, but the nose really stands high. Not many Sahti-style beverages out on the market. I'd pick this guy up again in the future and would recommend it for something totally different, fun, and unique.
Nov 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Oct 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by warmlager from Minnesota

Oct 29, 2014
Photo of Amy
Reviewed by Amy from Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
Reading other people's reviews, mention was made of a loud pop when opening the bottle. I was surprised how easily this opened with very little vacuum pressure. I wonder if I got a bad bottle because it was more of a sour beer than I was expecting. I thought I'd really enjoyed this beer in the past so that's why I bought it. It wasn't a typical Belgian. Nor did I get a juniper nose or taste from it, so it just wasn't true to style. Maybe this is because of the extra fermenting that happens in the bottle. I really like the other stuff I've tried from this brewery. I wish I could find it on tap, but so far, all I've found it in is big bottles.
Sep 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DaftPatrick from Minnesota

May 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by einman from Minnesota

Apr 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by zeledonia from Washington

Mar 30, 2014
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
another one of a kind beer, totally different from anything else out. thanks to drlovemd87 for sharing this special bottle. hazy dark goldenrod color with a lazy but airy white head that lasts reasonably well. it smells crazy, lots of juniper almost like a gin but less citric and quite a bit less medicinal and botanical heavy. the juniper is fresh and wintery more than anything else, with a lighter wheat malt base that must have some spelt or rye or other heritage type grain in it, because its got body and pep that dont usually accompany 100% wheat beers. the flavor too shows some granular spunk, but is flavored predominantly by the juniper. the only off element for me is the yeast, somewhere between saison yeast and ale yeast fermented too warmly, there is a funky almost wine-like vibe to it that doesnt really meld with what else is going on. still, i love how dry it is and how distinct it is, a great use of juniper where i had previously given up on it almost entirely as a suitable beer ingredient. not the most drinkable or honestly pleasurable beer on the market, but it challenges my palate and i dont get that very often anymore. much appreciated strange beer here. all of their stuff has been extremely interesting, but this one may be the most outside the box of them all.
Mar 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by dmadsen from Minnesota

Jan 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by mkf629 from Kansas

Dec 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by sgttibbs from Minnesota

Dec 22, 2013
Photo of mwilbur
Reviewed by mwilbur from Minnesota

4.09/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 750 mL bottle into cervoise. 2013 vintage.
A: Opens with a loud "pop". Pours a clear orange-yellow with high carbonation producing a prolific 4+ inch white head. Good retention and lacing.
S: Juniper, mild farmhouse funk, toasted grains, spicy rye. Fresh and aromatic.
T: The saison comes through more here with citrus and farmhouse funk leading the way. Followed closely by juniper berries, soft caramel malt, herbal mint, and a mild rye note. The juniper blends in with the rest of the beer and adds a nice extra element.
M: Light-medium body. Refreshing with loads of carbonated effervescence. Sweetly spicy (mint-like).
D: Definitely an interesting take on the style. The juniper berries take this to another level. Absolutely worth a go. This farm/brewery is really growing on me!
Dec 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Dec 11, 2013
Brynhildr's Gift from Olvalde Farm and Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 68 ratings