-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Balaton
Side Project Brewing
- From:
- Side Project Brewing
- Missouri, United States
- Style:
- Flanders Oud Bruin
Ranked #1 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 98
Ranked #438 - Avg:
- 4.43 | pDev: 5.87%
- Reviews:
- 44
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 16, 2024
- 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 kjkinsey:
Rated by kjkinsey from Texas
4.46/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jul 25, 2019
4.46/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jul 25, 2019
More User Ratings:
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
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.
Mar 16, 2024Smell - 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.
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
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, 2022Reviewed 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
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, 2022We’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
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
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, 2021Appearance: 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.
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
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, 2020Served in a 12oz Side Project tulip from a 375mL bottle. Blend #2.
Balaton from Side Project Brewing
Beer rating:
98 out of
100 with
236 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!