The Garden Paths Led To Flowered
Garden Path Fermentation
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Wild Ale
Ranked #1,012 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #16,929 - Avg:
- 4.03 | pDev: 7.44%
- Reviews:
- 9
- Ratings:
- From:
- Garden Path Fermentation
- Washington, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 0
- Gots
- 0
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
Notes:
Hoppy blonde ale fermented with native yeast in an open foudre.
Reviews: 9
| Ratings: 20
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Reviews by RBorsato:
RBorsato from Virginia
3.73/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Jul 01, 2019
3.73/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Jul 01, 2019
More User Reviews:
mwilbur from Minnesota
4.45/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 750 mL bottle into cervoise. 3rd edition. Packaged 3/20/19.
A: Pours a hazy lemon hue with extremely active carbonation jets producing a massive 3+ inch bubbly white head with excellent retention leaving super thick lacing on the glass as it recedes.
S: Honey hits first, quickly followed by earthy minerals, melon, and subdued citrus with a hint of dry cracker malt. Grassy and floral notes too. Very nice!
T: Honey, white pepper (very peppery!), and Belgian yeast notes hit first, followed by clove, soft oaky vanilla, earthy minerals, bitter citrus, and eventually grassy and floral notes. Super complex and layered! Blending certainly helped.
M: Light body. Dry and bitter throughout. Softened by oak. Delicately sweet with a hint of spices. Lingers nicely on the palate.
D: A lovely hoppy blonde ale! Wonderfully constructed with layers of complexity and yet still crisp and refreshing. Glad I waited almost 6 months to try this...still has a strong hop bite. Well done, Garden Path. Super impressed!
Sep 09, 2019
4.45/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 750 mL bottle into cervoise. 3rd edition. Packaged 3/20/19.
A: Pours a hazy lemon hue with extremely active carbonation jets producing a massive 3+ inch bubbly white head with excellent retention leaving super thick lacing on the glass as it recedes.
S: Honey hits first, quickly followed by earthy minerals, melon, and subdued citrus with a hint of dry cracker malt. Grassy and floral notes too. Very nice!
T: Honey, white pepper (very peppery!), and Belgian yeast notes hit first, followed by clove, soft oaky vanilla, earthy minerals, bitter citrus, and eventually grassy and floral notes. Super complex and layered! Blending certainly helped.
M: Light body. Dry and bitter throughout. Softened by oak. Delicately sweet with a hint of spices. Lingers nicely on the palate.
D: A lovely hoppy blonde ale! Wonderfully constructed with layers of complexity and yet still crisp and refreshing. Glad I waited almost 6 months to try this...still has a strong hop bite. Well done, Garden Path. Super impressed!
Sep 09, 2019
beersampler6 from Michigan
3.17/5 rDev -21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Strange beer. A very bottle-conditioned, tart, funky taste - looks great with a vigorous pour, lots of fluffy white head and some moderate haze. A little spotty lingering lacing. Smells very tart, overripe fruit, yeast, a little honey. Taste follows the nose - just too funky and tart for me. Smooth and fairly mild mouthfeel. Good carbonation. Just not my cup of tea.
Jul 04, 2019
3.17/5 rDev -21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Strange beer. A very bottle-conditioned, tart, funky taste - looks great with a vigorous pour, lots of fluffy white head and some moderate haze. A little spotty lingering lacing. Smells very tart, overripe fruit, yeast, a little honey. Taste follows the nose - just too funky and tart for me. Smooth and fairly mild mouthfeel. Good carbonation. Just not my cup of tea.
Jul 04, 2019
flagmantho from Washington
3.99/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 750mL bottle into a tulip. Packaged 6/29/18.
Appearance: lightly hazy, light yellow hue with a finger of frothy white foam atop. A rustic-looking beer.
Smell: light, slightly sweet, with an almost chalky, smooth character; hops are light and slightly fruity in character. It's subtle, but it really appeals to me.
Taste: ah, there's the wild yeast. Definitely a different character than the aroma, with some funk and a bit of Brett-like element to it. There's some of that subtle chalky smoothness in the middle, with a sharper wild finish at the end. This has a very wild-farmhouse character to it; I dig it.
Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and a nice, smooth creaminess.
Overall: there's no fuss with this beer; it's just a straightforward, wild-yeast farmhouse ale. Rustic and enjoyable. This would be outstanding with some hard cheese.
Mar 23, 2019
3.99/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 750mL bottle into a tulip. Packaged 6/29/18.
Appearance: lightly hazy, light yellow hue with a finger of frothy white foam atop. A rustic-looking beer.
Smell: light, slightly sweet, with an almost chalky, smooth character; hops are light and slightly fruity in character. It's subtle, but it really appeals to me.
Taste: ah, there's the wild yeast. Definitely a different character than the aroma, with some funk and a bit of Brett-like element to it. There's some of that subtle chalky smoothness in the middle, with a sharper wild finish at the end. This has a very wild-farmhouse character to it; I dig it.
Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and a nice, smooth creaminess.
Overall: there's no fuss with this beer; it's just a straightforward, wild-yeast farmhouse ale. Rustic and enjoyable. This would be outstanding with some hard cheese.
Mar 23, 2019
mactrail from Washington
3.72/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
This is the first bottled beer from this brewery and very promising. It's "fermented with native Skagit Valley yeast in an open foudre, blended with oak-matured beer, dry-hopped, and naturally conditioned with Skagit blackberry honey."
There's a slight haze in the amber brew with plenty of white foam in the Het Kapittel chalice. Light, frothy body. Aroma of wet woods and herbal hops. Dry and yeasty with a distinct taste like Brettanomyces. Faint honey taste but not sweet.
Tangy but not sour. Really interesting fruity tang with an overly enthusiastic mix of hops for a very bitter finish. Some pencil shavings in the aftertaste, graphite and all. From the 750 ml capped (thank you) bottle purchased at the brewery tasting room by the Skagit Airport, close to Chuckanut's brewery.
Sep 16, 2018
3.72/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
This is the first bottled beer from this brewery and very promising. It's "fermented with native Skagit Valley yeast in an open foudre, blended with oak-matured beer, dry-hopped, and naturally conditioned with Skagit blackberry honey."
There's a slight haze in the amber brew with plenty of white foam in the Het Kapittel chalice. Light, frothy body. Aroma of wet woods and herbal hops. Dry and yeasty with a distinct taste like Brettanomyces. Faint honey taste but not sweet.
Tangy but not sour. Really interesting fruity tang with an overly enthusiastic mix of hops for a very bitter finish. Some pencil shavings in the aftertaste, graphite and all. From the 750 ml capped (thank you) bottle purchased at the brewery tasting room by the Skagit Airport, close to Chuckanut's brewery.
Sep 16, 2018
StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.25/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
i really like the blonde ale/wild saison hybrid, this just my second beer from these guys but very impressive, nicely bottle conditioned to dry and effervescent, a very pale and active brew. i didnt really find it to be all that hoppy, a subtle, dry hopped type profile but not bitter at all or not out of balance even a little bit. it might be the name playing tricks on me, but i do get some floral aspects to this, like a flowery honey thats mostly fermented out but retains a springtime vibe and delicate nature. simple grist, light body, really all seemingly a set up to showcase the yeast, which is the most forward element in this, more bretty than acidic, but elements of both for sure, and not overly developed or mature or wood heavy here at all, it tastes fresh and rather distinctive, a cool mix here that im sure will age well. i like the high drinkability, liveliness, and simplistic nature of this, i coul drink several glasses of this one, not too sour or anything. great stuff, maybe even better than their raspberry that i had recently. i would buy this if i saw it around...
Oct 22, 2018
4.25/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
i really like the blonde ale/wild saison hybrid, this just my second beer from these guys but very impressive, nicely bottle conditioned to dry and effervescent, a very pale and active brew. i didnt really find it to be all that hoppy, a subtle, dry hopped type profile but not bitter at all or not out of balance even a little bit. it might be the name playing tricks on me, but i do get some floral aspects to this, like a flowery honey thats mostly fermented out but retains a springtime vibe and delicate nature. simple grist, light body, really all seemingly a set up to showcase the yeast, which is the most forward element in this, more bretty than acidic, but elements of both for sure, and not overly developed or mature or wood heavy here at all, it tastes fresh and rather distinctive, a cool mix here that im sure will age well. i like the high drinkability, liveliness, and simplistic nature of this, i coul drink several glasses of this one, not too sour or anything. great stuff, maybe even better than their raspberry that i had recently. i would buy this if i saw it around...
Oct 22, 2018
metter98 from New York
3.93/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is slightly hazy yellow in color. It poured with a finger high frothy white head that has very good retention properties and also left lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of floral hops are present in the nose along with strong notes of sourness.
T: The taste follows the smell and is rather sour with notes of floral hops.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a bit dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer tastes like a hybrid between a saison and a wild ale.
Serving type: bottle
Jul 13, 2019
3.93/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is slightly hazy yellow in color. It poured with a finger high frothy white head that has very good retention properties and also left lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of floral hops are present in the nose along with strong notes of sourness.
T: The taste follows the smell and is rather sour with notes of floral hops.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a bit dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer tastes like a hybrid between a saison and a wild ale.
Serving type: bottle
Jul 13, 2019
Sound_Explorer from Washington
4.17/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nov 25, 2018
4.17/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nov 25, 2018
psoriasaurus from England
4.5/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 24, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 24, 2018
pathman from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
05/02/20 bottle @ home
May 02, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
05/02/20 bottle @ home
May 02, 2020
CraigDeMoss from Kansas
3.98/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
May 02, 2020
3.98/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
May 02, 2020
gandres from Philippines
4.1/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:08 PM 750 mL bottle poured to tulip glass
Sight: pale yellowish liquid, big off white foam, slightly hazy
Smell: strong smell of fermented grains
Taste: low bitterness, low sourness
Mouthfeel: medium carbonation, good follow through and nice bitter finish, sticks to the top of the tongue
Overall: good beer, not to look nor repeat
Feb 04, 2021
4.1/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:08 PM 750 mL bottle poured to tulip glass
Sight: pale yellowish liquid, big off white foam, slightly hazy
Smell: strong smell of fermented grains
Taste: low bitterness, low sourness
Mouthfeel: medium carbonation, good follow through and nice bitter finish, sticks to the top of the tongue
Overall: good beer, not to look nor repeat
Feb 04, 2021
Giggy from Michigan
3.99/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Sep 09, 2019
3.99/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Sep 09, 2019
t420o from Colorado
3.93/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3rd Edition - Packaged 3/20/19
A - pour yields a large 3 finger white head that recedes to a 1 finger head after about a minute. Body is a murky dark straw color. 4
S - typical Belgian yeast smell with both a light sweetness and some tartness that suggests wild yeast. Definitely a moderate hop presence - strong compared to most Belgian style beers. Pleasant. 4
T - immediately I get hops first. Mainly herbal and lightly grassy. Then some of the Belgian yeast with some of the wild yeast giving it a light tartness in the background. Some lemon, straw and hay also. 4
M - higher carbonation but typical of a Belgian ale. I still prefer a littler more softness. 3.75
O - a good beer. I like the aggressive hopping, but aside from that it’s a bit one dimensional in my opinion. I’d like a little more depth of flavor beyond that. I think this could benefit from a bit more age even though that may reduce the hoppiness. 3.75
B
Jul 08, 2019
3.93/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3rd Edition - Packaged 3/20/19
A - pour yields a large 3 finger white head that recedes to a 1 finger head after about a minute. Body is a murky dark straw color. 4
S - typical Belgian yeast smell with both a light sweetness and some tartness that suggests wild yeast. Definitely a moderate hop presence - strong compared to most Belgian style beers. Pleasant. 4
T - immediately I get hops first. Mainly herbal and lightly grassy. Then some of the Belgian yeast with some of the wild yeast giving it a light tartness in the background. Some lemon, straw and hay also. 4
M - higher carbonation but typical of a Belgian ale. I still prefer a littler more softness. 3.75
O - a good beer. I like the aggressive hopping, but aside from that it’s a bit one dimensional in my opinion. I’d like a little more depth of flavor beyond that. I think this could benefit from a bit more age even though that may reduce the hoppiness. 3.75
B
Jul 08, 2019
BobbyOlson from Michigan
4.13/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Sep 09, 2019
4.13/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Sep 09, 2019
DVMin98 from North Carolina
3.82/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
May 05, 2020
3.82/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
May 05, 2020
smithj4 from New York
4.04/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Jun 12, 2019
4.04/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Jun 12, 2019
Hellpop65 from Kansas
3.75/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jun 01, 2019
3.75/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jun 01, 2019
ChipChaight from New York
4.18/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from the Rare Beer Club. Pours an opaque pale gold with fluffy large-bubbled two fingered white head that stays, excellent lacing, smell is peppery grassy funk with a hint of doughy sweet yeast and wet hay, taste is rose/elderflower with a grassy bitterness that transitions into a floral pollen with a very slight hint of honey. This beer is medium bodied and well carbonated. Name is appropriate and delicious.
Jun 03, 2019
4.18/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from the Rare Beer Club. Pours an opaque pale gold with fluffy large-bubbled two fingered white head that stays, excellent lacing, smell is peppery grassy funk with a hint of doughy sweet yeast and wet hay, taste is rose/elderflower with a grassy bitterness that transitions into a floral pollen with a very slight hint of honey. This beer is medium bodied and well carbonated. Name is appropriate and delicious.
Jun 03, 2019
The Garden Paths Led To Flowered from Garden Path Fermentation
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
20 ratings
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