Balaton
Side Project Brewing

BalatonBalaton
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From:
Side Project Brewing
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
Flanders Oud Bruin
Ranked #1
ABV:
5%
Score:
98
Ranked #437
Avg:
4.43 | pDev: 5.87%
Reviews:
44
Ratings:
236
Status:
Active
Rated:
Saturday at 01:33 AM
Added:
Feb 11, 2016
Wants:
  77
Gots:
  48
Balaton is our Wild Missouri Brown Ale that was fermented in and aged in local Chambourcin Barrels with Missouri microflora for over a year with Michigan Balaton Cherries. We wanted Balaton to be soft, yet complex, so it is only 5% abv with a higher level of Brett influence and more impactful oak presence to balance out the signature Side Project acidity and the tart, cinnamon notes of the cherries.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Arsenal0328:
Photo of Arsenal0328
Rated by Arsenal0328 from Missouri

4.45/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Apr 03, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of JohnnyHopps
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana

4.42/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - The beer poured a deep maroon color. Carbonation was visible.

Smell - The nose seemed quite sour, but cherry was detectable. Initially, it seemed harsh.

Taste - Initially the taste seemed very sour, but progressed to sweet. As it progressed, I was made to think of fresh cherries. Dark oaky notes came in finish.

Mouthfeel - The body had viscosity enough to make the taste profile linger nicely. It reinforced the dry notes at the finish.

Overall - This was an excellent version of the style.
Saturday at 01:33 AM
 
Rated: 4.5 by paulish from New York

Oct 10, 2023
 
Rated: 3.82 by Chilmer from Iowa

Jul 23, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by JAWS from New York

May 06, 2023
Photo of Franziskaner
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri

4.41/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark brown in color with a murky complexion. I smell barnyard funk, horse blanket, and dark cherries. I taste dark malt, tart cherries, and barnyard funk. The mouth is dry and crisp.
Nov 26, 2022
 
Rated: 4.27 by not2quick from Missouri

May 24, 2022
 
Rated: 4.49 by Jkolls from Ohio

May 07, 2022
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

4.32/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Blend #2, unsure of the year

We’ve arrived (far too soon) at my last beer from my recent trade with merpunk1. This is the highest rated Oud Bruin on BA, and the combination of chambourcin barrels and cherries has me excited to try it. It’s also pretty cool that it’s only 5%, so I imagine it will drink very easily

Pours a dark reddish brown with a finger of tan head that quickly fades to a thin ring and leaves minimal lacing

There’s a decent amount of complexity going on in the nose on this one, given that some of these can be one-dimensionally tart. I’m picking up on aromas of tart black cherry, dates, red wine vinegar, sweet red grape, toffee, brown bread, and a touch of cinnamon

The tartness is really forward in taste, but the complexity is still awesome. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting black cherry, chewy grape, brown bread, sharp oak, and light cinnamon. The swallow brings notes of tart black cherry candy, red wine, toffee, dates, and a touch of leather

A light medium body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a sharp and tart beer. Finishes lightly sticky but still retains enough tartness to keep it from being cloying

This is delicious stuff. Man I really wish I had easier access to Side Project beers, they make truly fantastic stuff
Jan 04, 2022
Photo of kitch
Reviewed by kitch from Hong Kong

4.48/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A 375ml bottle, blend #2, poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.

Appearance: A dark maroon almost cola colour, with a half finger pinkish tanned head that dissipated quickly to a ring around the glass while leaving only sparse lacing.

Aroma: Sweet dessert, cherry pie, cherry, almond, berry yoghurt, caramel.

Taste: Sweet, sour and tart, cherry, almond, caramel, cinnamon, oak, with acidic notes especially on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Overall: Absolutely wonderful aroma, and while taste was enjoyable, it wasn’t as amazing as the aroma.
Dec 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Aug 22, 2021
 
Rated: 4.38 by chepi141 from Missouri

Mar 16, 2021
 
Rated: 4.22 by Jangoon24 from Illinois

Oct 22, 2020
 
Rated: 4.53 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

Sep 05, 2020
 
Rated: 4.35 by MTKATL from Georgia

Jul 13, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by eawolff99 from Minnesota

Apr 27, 2020
 
Rated: 4.32 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

Mar 17, 2020
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

4.39/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a bloody-burgundy-ruby with a finger of off white foam that bubbles away quickly. Aroma is rich dark cherry, tart green apple, plum and a little cellar stone at the base. Tangy twist is well defined and melded into the profile. Flavor profile is dark cherry, cellar stone, grassy, herbal, plums and figs. Initial profile is a burst of tangy sour that recedes to reveal a lightly sweet finish. Mouth feel is crisp and medium-thin. Overall, lovely dark cherry qualities wrapped up into a mild tangy and sour ale. Remarkable.

Served in a 12oz Side Project tulip from a 375mL bottle. Blend #2.
Feb 07, 2020
 
Rated: 4.46 by kevindp9 from Arizona

Dec 20, 2019
 
Rated: 5 by Ziosa from Missouri

Dec 18, 2019
Balaton from Side Project Brewing
Beer rating: 98 out of 100 with 236 ratings