Thumbprint Oud Bruin
New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Sour - Flanders Oud Bruin
Ranked #26 - ABV:
- 5.6%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #7,810 - Avg:
- 3.98 | pDev: 10.8%
- Reviews:
- 105
- Ratings:
- From:
- New Glarus Brewing Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 26
- Gots
- 142
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
Our Brewmaster Dan launched his Wild Fruit Cave this winter brewing Oud Bruin, a Flander's style ale that is immensely complex both tart and sweet. Soft toffee notes lead with a blend of Wisconsin, British and German malts that first rested in the Coolship before spontaneously fermenting on oak in the cave. Hallertau hops, matured in the horse barn, elegantly support sparkling fruit notes that frolic before a punctuated oak finish. 100% naturally fermented in oak vessels this is beer that can be enjoyed now or the patient few can lay in their personal cellar to age.
Reviews: 105
| Ratings: 779
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grover37 from District of Columbia
3.91/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dusty old 2014, last one in March 2020. This one mellowed quite a bit, particularly the overbearing oak, but it never quite did it for me. Nose has chocolate and plum, flavor is more muted with red berries, dark caramel, and chocolate covered cherries. A bit thin. Overall good but not great.
Mar 06, 2020
3.91/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dusty old 2014, last one in March 2020. This one mellowed quite a bit, particularly the overbearing oak, but it never quite did it for me. Nose has chocolate and plum, flavor is more muted with red berries, dark caramel, and chocolate covered cherries. A bit thin. Overall good but not great.
Mar 06, 2020
TheGent from New Jersey
3.8/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: The beer pours murky, but translucent. Murky iced tea color. Amber - ruby brown. One finger of light khaki colored head settles to a thin layer across the top of the beer, with a thicker ring around the edge of the glass. No visible carbonation. A really beautiful looking beer in the natural light. Actually, quite stunning.
Smell: Sweet and sour. Red delicious apple, malt vinegar, brown raisin, fig, prune, brown sugar, rotting plum. The aroma on the beer is pretty nice, but the rotting fruit takes away a bit. There is some unpleasant aging coming through that leaves the aroma a bit stale and funky.
Taste: On the tip of the tongue some mild lemon acidity and white vinegar shifting to some sweet and sour cherry. Mid palate things sweeten up a bit to prune, rotting plum and watered down apple cider. The beer dries out quickly and nicely.
Feel: Very nice. Crisp and light on the palate with some prickly carbonation. A dry finish which I enjoy. No jowl hitting acidity.
Overall: I think this one suffers a bit from age. With that said, there are some wonderful elements present that I enjoy in the style. It’s still quite drinkable and overall enjoyable, but the acidity and tartness are a bit lacking for me, while the stale fruit flavor and aroma detracts from the bright and lively characteristic I enjoy in the style.
Dec 08, 2019
3.8/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: The beer pours murky, but translucent. Murky iced tea color. Amber - ruby brown. One finger of light khaki colored head settles to a thin layer across the top of the beer, with a thicker ring around the edge of the glass. No visible carbonation. A really beautiful looking beer in the natural light. Actually, quite stunning.
Smell: Sweet and sour. Red delicious apple, malt vinegar, brown raisin, fig, prune, brown sugar, rotting plum. The aroma on the beer is pretty nice, but the rotting fruit takes away a bit. There is some unpleasant aging coming through that leaves the aroma a bit stale and funky.
Taste: On the tip of the tongue some mild lemon acidity and white vinegar shifting to some sweet and sour cherry. Mid palate things sweeten up a bit to prune, rotting plum and watered down apple cider. The beer dries out quickly and nicely.
Feel: Very nice. Crisp and light on the palate with some prickly carbonation. A dry finish which I enjoy. No jowl hitting acidity.
Overall: I think this one suffers a bit from age. With that said, there are some wonderful elements present that I enjoy in the style. It’s still quite drinkable and overall enjoyable, but the acidity and tartness are a bit lacking for me, while the stale fruit flavor and aroma detracts from the bright and lively characteristic I enjoy in the style.
Dec 08, 2019
GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.17/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 1/22/16; drank 8/19/16 @ the Yarchives.
Opaque dark purple rust appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice khaki head; decent, frothy lace.
Black cherry & tart raspberry notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Black cherry & raspberry flavors up front; refreshing soda water bite with a mildly tart edge on the finish.
Refreshing dark fruit soda vibes here; simple, clean & very well executed. I'd love another...
Jul 01, 2019
4.17/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 1/22/16; drank 8/19/16 @ the Yarchives.
Opaque dark purple rust appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice khaki head; decent, frothy lace.
Black cherry & tart raspberry notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Black cherry & raspberry flavors up front; refreshing soda water bite with a mildly tart edge on the finish.
Refreshing dark fruit soda vibes here; simple, clean & very well executed. I'd love another...
Jul 01, 2019
SHODriver from North Carolina
4.5/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage
A: Poured into a tulip glass to a deep mahogany topped by a finger of dense off white head which fades co a collar around the edge of the glass leaving some nice lacing.
S: Smells of leather, balsamic vinegar, caramel and stewed cherries. Probably one of the more interesting noses I've smelled in a long time
T: Taste is blasamic vinegar acidity with some savory notes, leather, and cherry fruit leather with a little strawberry. Slight vanilla and a hint of oak. Swallow is leather, caramel, and lingering savory notes with more rich cherry and strawberry fruit leather flavors.
M: This beer has a surprising amount of body at this abv with a mouthfeel that is on the heavy side of things. Very smooth and slightly viscous while carbonation is low but more than adequate. This beer has a drying finish from the acidity as well.
O: This beer is kind of a mind bender. I'm not sure what I'm drinking but I know that I like it. The fruity notes and the savory notes really make this one stand out as something truly different. I've honestly never had a beer quite like this one. Definitely worth a try if you can get your hands on it.
Aug 09, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage
A: Poured into a tulip glass to a deep mahogany topped by a finger of dense off white head which fades co a collar around the edge of the glass leaving some nice lacing.
S: Smells of leather, balsamic vinegar, caramel and stewed cherries. Probably one of the more interesting noses I've smelled in a long time
T: Taste is blasamic vinegar acidity with some savory notes, leather, and cherry fruit leather with a little strawberry. Slight vanilla and a hint of oak. Swallow is leather, caramel, and lingering savory notes with more rich cherry and strawberry fruit leather flavors.
M: This beer has a surprising amount of body at this abv with a mouthfeel that is on the heavy side of things. Very smooth and slightly viscous while carbonation is low but more than adequate. This beer has a drying finish from the acidity as well.
O: This beer is kind of a mind bender. I'm not sure what I'm drinking but I know that I like it. The fruity notes and the savory notes really make this one stand out as something truly different. I've honestly never had a beer quite like this one. Definitely worth a try if you can get your hands on it.
Aug 09, 2018
Buck89 from Tennessee
4.15/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2016 bottle poured into a snifter. A muddy copper-rust color with a thin tan head. Tart cherries, apple cinnamon, toffee, and funk on the aroma. The taste reminds me of cinnamon apple pie with tart cherries and a slight funk. Faint caramel and toffee. Medium bodied with a high carbonation level consistent with the style. Very nice.
Mar 17, 2018
4.15/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2016 bottle poured into a snifter. A muddy copper-rust color with a thin tan head. Tart cherries, apple cinnamon, toffee, and funk on the aroma. The taste reminds me of cinnamon apple pie with tart cherries and a slight funk. Faint caramel and toffee. Medium bodied with a high carbonation level consistent with the style. Very nice.
Mar 17, 2018
Pray_For_Mojo from Colorado
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: brown with ruby (claret) hues and some haze. A light tan 1/8-finger spritzes up and fades quickly.
Aroma: cherries and light oak with some mild must.
Flavor: sweet cherries with medium tartness. There is a distinct mineraliness. Sweet, a bit too much to drink more than one.
Mouthfeel: heavy-medium. I perceive this as perhaps heavier than it actually is due to NG’s typically sweet syrupy bodied beers. (Raspberry Tart, Cranbic).
Overall: a fine effort. A bit sweet, especially for the style, but is consistent with NG’s other offerings. Worthwhile, but NG’s Belgian Red still reigns supreme in the portfolio.
Aug 11, 2017
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: brown with ruby (claret) hues and some haze. A light tan 1/8-finger spritzes up and fades quickly.
Aroma: cherries and light oak with some mild must.
Flavor: sweet cherries with medium tartness. There is a distinct mineraliness. Sweet, a bit too much to drink more than one.
Mouthfeel: heavy-medium. I perceive this as perhaps heavier than it actually is due to NG’s typically sweet syrupy bodied beers. (Raspberry Tart, Cranbic).
Overall: a fine effort. A bit sweet, especially for the style, but is consistent with NG’s other offerings. Worthwhile, but NG’s Belgian Red still reigns supreme in the portfolio.
Aug 11, 2017
rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.73/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Hey check it out, I'm reviewing a beer from one of the best breweries in the world.
Pours a chesnut brown color, not thick or ruddy, this one has the most clarity you can have prolly for something of this color. Gleaming the cube. Nice lighter brown head in the 3/8" range. Aroma hits of brown malt, oak, mild tartness.
Taste has more brown malt, oak, toffee, dark cherry note to it. Carbonation is right where it should be. Tannins for days from the oak? Sourness is in that mild and to style range. When I have these oud bruins, it feels like you're getting whisked into a time machine to drink some 19th century beer. That's cool.
Jun 27, 2017
3.73/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Hey check it out, I'm reviewing a beer from one of the best breweries in the world.
Pours a chesnut brown color, not thick or ruddy, this one has the most clarity you can have prolly for something of this color. Gleaming the cube. Nice lighter brown head in the 3/8" range. Aroma hits of brown malt, oak, mild tartness.
Taste has more brown malt, oak, toffee, dark cherry note to it. Carbonation is right where it should be. Tannins for days from the oak? Sourness is in that mild and to style range. When I have these oud bruins, it feels like you're getting whisked into a time machine to drink some 19th century beer. That's cool.
Jun 27, 2017
Bdubz94 from Wisconsin
4.5/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage 12 oz bottle.
Pours a slightly hazy dark ruby. Has a 1.5 finger tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma emerges as soon as the beer is open. Tart cherries and apples with an oaky smokey undertone. Lots of funk.
Taste packs a sour punch. Loads of apples and oak. Honestly the oak is insane on this one.
Feel Is medium to light body. Good carbonation. Drier finish.
Overall another fantastic beer from New Glarus. Age treated this one kindly. Hope I can find a few more... I would strongly recommend Enigma by NG if you enjoy this beer.
Jun 27, 2017
4.5/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage 12 oz bottle.
Pours a slightly hazy dark ruby. Has a 1.5 finger tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma emerges as soon as the beer is open. Tart cherries and apples with an oaky smokey undertone. Lots of funk.
Taste packs a sour punch. Loads of apples and oak. Honestly the oak is insane on this one.
Feel Is medium to light body. Good carbonation. Drier finish.
Overall another fantastic beer from New Glarus. Age treated this one kindly. Hope I can find a few more... I would strongly recommend Enigma by NG if you enjoy this beer.
Jun 27, 2017
superspak from Michigan
4.25/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Got in a trade with The-Adjunct-Hippie. 12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 1/22/2016. Pours slightly hazy deep ruby red/light copper/brown color with a 2 finger dense light khaki head with great retention that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of big tart cherry, cranberry, raisin, plum, currant, lemon, green apple, red grape, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, brown bread, hay, and straw; with lighter notes of vanilla, leathery funk, red wine vinegar, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak barrel, and dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart cherry, cranberry, raisin, plum, currant, lemon, green apple, red grape, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, brown bread, hay, and straw; with lighter notes of vanilla, leathery funk, red wine vinegar, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tartness and light yeast/tannic oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of tart cherry, cranberry, raisin, plum, currant, lemon, green apple, red grape, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, brown bread, light vanilla/nuttiness, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/tartness balance, with zero puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Light dryness from tartness/acidity, lightly increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy/acidic, and lightly tannic balanced mouthfeel that is awesome. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.6%. Overall this is a fantastic Flanders brown ale! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and refreshing to drink, thanks to the mellow tartness/acidity. Amazing yeast/malt complexity and balance; with nice oak presence. A highly enjoyable offering.
Feb 05, 2017
4.25/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Got in a trade with The-Adjunct-Hippie. 12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 1/22/2016. Pours slightly hazy deep ruby red/light copper/brown color with a 2 finger dense light khaki head with great retention that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of big tart cherry, cranberry, raisin, plum, currant, lemon, green apple, red grape, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, brown bread, hay, and straw; with lighter notes of vanilla, leathery funk, red wine vinegar, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak barrel, and dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart cherry, cranberry, raisin, plum, currant, lemon, green apple, red grape, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, brown bread, hay, and straw; with lighter notes of vanilla, leathery funk, red wine vinegar, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tartness and light yeast/tannic oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of tart cherry, cranberry, raisin, plum, currant, lemon, green apple, red grape, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, brown bread, light vanilla/nuttiness, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/tartness balance, with zero puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Light dryness from tartness/acidity, lightly increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy/acidic, and lightly tannic balanced mouthfeel that is awesome. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.6%. Overall this is a fantastic Flanders brown ale! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, oak barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and refreshing to drink, thanks to the mellow tartness/acidity. Amazing yeast/malt complexity and balance; with nice oak presence. A highly enjoyable offering.
Feb 05, 2017
Bartleby91 from Illinois
4.37/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage poured into a snifter at cellar temperature.
The appearance is a beautiful dark reddish brown with a murky haze making it pretty much opaque.
The aroma is tart cherry, slight acetic notes, oak woodiness, green apple, and red wine.
The tastes follow the nose with tart cherry, green apple, some acidity, red wine and some oak. Also a nice nutty and bready malt presence.
The palate is nice and light with a good zing of carbonation. Dry and tannin like as well which is reminiscent of red wine.
Overall this is another great beer from New Glarus that is good bang for your buck in terms of oak aged sours. Definitely tart but not too overpowering.
Jan 10, 2017
4.37/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage poured into a snifter at cellar temperature.
The appearance is a beautiful dark reddish brown with a murky haze making it pretty much opaque.
The aroma is tart cherry, slight acetic notes, oak woodiness, green apple, and red wine.
The tastes follow the nose with tart cherry, green apple, some acidity, red wine and some oak. Also a nice nutty and bready malt presence.
The palate is nice and light with a good zing of carbonation. Dry and tannin like as well which is reminiscent of red wine.
Overall this is another great beer from New Glarus that is good bang for your buck in terms of oak aged sours. Definitely tart but not too overpowering.
Jan 10, 2017
macrosmatic from Florida
3.64/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to dmbforever for sending this as part of our trade! Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into an unmarked snifter glass.
A: Dark hazy gold, with a good amount of visible carbonation and a finger of off-white head with average retention.
S: Acetic acid tang, tart cherries, and some bready malt in the background.
T: This is acetic up front, but less sour and in-your-face than the smell suggested. More vinous and vinegar, some tart cherries and the lightly toasted bready malts. A citric lemony bite, and it finishes with a lingering acetic acidity.
M: Light-bodied, but it comes across as a bit watery. Carbonation sensation on the low side, and has very low alcohol.
O: I feel like this missed the mark a bit, especially in the acetic/tang character. Perhaps appropriate for someone’s first foray into oud bruin territory? Not great, but certainly drinkable.
Jan 07, 2017
3.64/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to dmbforever for sending this as part of our trade! Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into an unmarked snifter glass.
A: Dark hazy gold, with a good amount of visible carbonation and a finger of off-white head with average retention.
S: Acetic acid tang, tart cherries, and some bready malt in the background.
T: This is acetic up front, but less sour and in-your-face than the smell suggested. More vinous and vinegar, some tart cherries and the lightly toasted bready malts. A citric lemony bite, and it finishes with a lingering acetic acidity.
M: Light-bodied, but it comes across as a bit watery. Carbonation sensation on the low side, and has very low alcohol.
O: I feel like this missed the mark a bit, especially in the acetic/tang character. Perhaps appropriate for someone’s first foray into oud bruin territory? Not great, but certainly drinkable.
Jan 07, 2017
Sabtos from Ohio
4.26/5 rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Cloudy burgundy nearing dark purple at times, with a frothy, soft, light tan head leaving some clingy lace.
Smell is spiced and slightly acetic balsamic vinegar, yet lactic too, with nutty, woody, oaky fig, cherry, raspberry gummies, and a little roasted malt, turning to dry Merlot after a bit of sniffing.
Taste is green and red apple, slightly tart cherry, not the acidic sour I was thinking it might be. Nicely balanced between tart, sour and smooth, soft and frothy with some grape and a hint of red wine.
Wow this beer is way better than the average rating listed here. I guess it's not rare enough.
Nov 21, 2016
4.26/5 rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Cloudy burgundy nearing dark purple at times, with a frothy, soft, light tan head leaving some clingy lace.
Smell is spiced and slightly acetic balsamic vinegar, yet lactic too, with nutty, woody, oaky fig, cherry, raspberry gummies, and a little roasted malt, turning to dry Merlot after a bit of sniffing.
Taste is green and red apple, slightly tart cherry, not the acidic sour I was thinking it might be. Nicely balanced between tart, sour and smooth, soft and frothy with some grape and a hint of red wine.
Wow this beer is way better than the average rating listed here. I guess it's not rare enough.
Nov 21, 2016
hoptheology from South Dakota
4.38/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2016 Oud Bruin. Age this m'fer for best results.
Pours a murky, muddy color with some tints of burgundy and mahogany. 100% opaque with light beaming up the sides. Leaves a nice shelf of stable head about the height of a quarter's spine.
Aromas of oak barrel, barn wood...underneath with some searching and sniffing you pick up cherries, currant, fig, with late hits of expired milk.
Slight lime-ade, tons of apples, and then some richer cabernet-like flavors rush in, bringing globe grapes, apple cider vinegar, cherry, and currant to the mix. It ends with some light vinegar, and a dash of milk. The flavor is simply groundbreaking.
Feel is spot on. Very quenching, very carbonated. A musky, dry, puckering, vinous feel just dries on the tongue like you sipped some serious Sauvignon. Very impressive.
Overall, although I hate how outwardly democratic New Glarus is (along with so many other breweries), I can't fault good beer. Keep your nose in the alcohol and ridiculous ideologies if it makes my tongue happy.
Oct 26, 2016
4.38/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2016 Oud Bruin. Age this m'fer for best results.
Pours a murky, muddy color with some tints of burgundy and mahogany. 100% opaque with light beaming up the sides. Leaves a nice shelf of stable head about the height of a quarter's spine.
Aromas of oak barrel, barn wood...underneath with some searching and sniffing you pick up cherries, currant, fig, with late hits of expired milk.
Slight lime-ade, tons of apples, and then some richer cabernet-like flavors rush in, bringing globe grapes, apple cider vinegar, cherry, and currant to the mix. It ends with some light vinegar, and a dash of milk. The flavor is simply groundbreaking.
Feel is spot on. Very quenching, very carbonated. A musky, dry, puckering, vinous feel just dries on the tongue like you sipped some serious Sauvignon. Very impressive.
Overall, although I hate how outwardly democratic New Glarus is (along with so many other breweries), I can't fault good beer. Keep your nose in the alcohol and ridiculous ideologies if it makes my tongue happy.
Oct 26, 2016
Scott17Taylor from Iowa
4.25/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very solid sour. Aroma is faint oak with vinegar and cherry. The flavor follows the nose with a very light oak flavor and sour notes of cherry and maybe a little Apple. I get a lot of red wine type fruit flavor a in the front with a light sour finish. I am glad I tried it but I don't know if I'll buy it again.
Oct 09, 2016
4.25/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very solid sour. Aroma is faint oak with vinegar and cherry. The flavor follows the nose with a very light oak flavor and sour notes of cherry and maybe a little Apple. I get a lot of red wine type fruit flavor a in the front with a light sour finish. I am glad I tried it but I don't know if I'll buy it again.
Oct 09, 2016
buschbeer from Ohio
3.9/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 FL. OZ. bottle
Served in a beer flute
This beer pours rust colored with amber highlights. It is topped with an inch of tan head that disappears quickly and leaves little lacing.
The aroma is sour with a little vinegar. I also get some dark fruits like dates and figs.
The taste begins fruity with some sour cherry and sour apple. It gets acidic and slightly vinegary in the finish.
Moderate mouthfeel with low carbonation
It reminds me of some Belgian oud bruins. It is not necessarily my favorite sour, but I like it.
Sep 24, 2016
3.9/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 FL. OZ. bottle
Served in a beer flute
This beer pours rust colored with amber highlights. It is topped with an inch of tan head that disappears quickly and leaves little lacing.
The aroma is sour with a little vinegar. I also get some dark fruits like dates and figs.
The taste begins fruity with some sour cherry and sour apple. It gets acidic and slightly vinegary in the finish.
Moderate mouthfeel with low carbonation
It reminds me of some Belgian oud bruins. It is not necessarily my favorite sour, but I like it.
Sep 24, 2016
FBarber from Illinois
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2016 Vintage.
Pours a deep brown tinged burgundy color with a thin tan head. Head dissipates rather quickly leaving a thin ring of tan foam around the outside of the beer.
Smell has aromas of tart, overly ripe cherries, red wine, balsamic vinegar, candied cherries and a slight note of booze.
Taste has flavors of tart cherries, overly ripe red grapes, red wine - maybe a cabernet like flavor - and definite balsamic or apple cider like vinegar flavors. Pretty nice for the style - maybe not as crisp as it could be overall. Still a nice array of flavors. Overall mildly sour and medium tartness does produce a slight pucker. Nice balance on the sour/tart scale with this being enough to satisfy those whole like the style, but still being accessible to a person just trying the style for the first time.
Feel is mild carbonation. Very dry tannin like finish, reminiscent of wine. Lovely feel that really balances out the tart/sourness from the cherries.
Overall a really nice example of the style. Its not as good as the world class beers in its style, but its just below in terms of quality. Unbeatable in terms of price. Definitely a must try.
Jul 08, 2016
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2016 Vintage.
Pours a deep brown tinged burgundy color with a thin tan head. Head dissipates rather quickly leaving a thin ring of tan foam around the outside of the beer.
Smell has aromas of tart, overly ripe cherries, red wine, balsamic vinegar, candied cherries and a slight note of booze.
Taste has flavors of tart cherries, overly ripe red grapes, red wine - maybe a cabernet like flavor - and definite balsamic or apple cider like vinegar flavors. Pretty nice for the style - maybe not as crisp as it could be overall. Still a nice array of flavors. Overall mildly sour and medium tartness does produce a slight pucker. Nice balance on the sour/tart scale with this being enough to satisfy those whole like the style, but still being accessible to a person just trying the style for the first time.
Feel is mild carbonation. Very dry tannin like finish, reminiscent of wine. Lovely feel that really balances out the tart/sourness from the cherries.
Overall a really nice example of the style. Its not as good as the world class beers in its style, but its just below in terms of quality. Unbeatable in terms of price. Definitely a must try.
Jul 08, 2016
CKlinchock from Illinois
4.35/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very pleasantly surprised by this beer. It came recommended to me and I picked up a 6 Pack of it from the New Glarus brewery itself which was fantastic.
This beer pours wonderfully, with it's colors and a small amount of head. Smell is subtle, but existent and pleasant. Feel is great and the taste is even better. One of my new favorites I'll continue getting. Looking forward to aging a few of these to see what develops. I highly recommend and will be purchasing more in the future.
May 25, 2016
4.35/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very pleasantly surprised by this beer. It came recommended to me and I picked up a 6 Pack of it from the New Glarus brewery itself which was fantastic.
This beer pours wonderfully, with it's colors and a small amount of head. Smell is subtle, but existent and pleasant. Feel is great and the taste is even better. One of my new favorites I'll continue getting. Looking forward to aging a few of these to see what develops. I highly recommend and will be purchasing more in the future.
May 25, 2016
Beginner2 from Illinois
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I review this 2016 rendition under the 2014 Oud Bruin. Seeing no indication otherwise, I assume this largely is the same recipe... just re-released 2 years later.
My original rating has been increased in its Overall category because I think New Glarus has solved the problem of Belgian sours and me never getting used to them, (despite how frequently I have tried and how much I have spent.) Simply said, their Oud Bruin is less sour. Many factors make this work.
But the most important for me: less is better when it comes to sours. Less sour goes with more food (I had this with a garlicky eggplant appetizer and the sour did not fight for positioning as the typical Belgian sour will.)
Or to paraphrase the modernist architectural motto: Less (sour) is more (enjoyment for me.)
If you are not totally comfortable with Belgian sours but think that less sour might help you like this standoff-ish style, go to Wisconsin and buy this beer before someone else does. You have, if you are lucky, two months before this Thumbprint is no longer on the shelves.
I'm saving the last of this 4 pack for next year to see if less becomes even more less sour.
Apr 26, 2016
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I review this 2016 rendition under the 2014 Oud Bruin. Seeing no indication otherwise, I assume this largely is the same recipe... just re-released 2 years later.
My original rating has been increased in its Overall category because I think New Glarus has solved the problem of Belgian sours and me never getting used to them, (despite how frequently I have tried and how much I have spent.) Simply said, their Oud Bruin is less sour. Many factors make this work.
But the most important for me: less is better when it comes to sours. Less sour goes with more food (I had this with a garlicky eggplant appetizer and the sour did not fight for positioning as the typical Belgian sour will.)
Or to paraphrase the modernist architectural motto: Less (sour) is more (enjoyment for me.)
If you are not totally comfortable with Belgian sours but think that less sour might help you like this standoff-ish style, go to Wisconsin and buy this beer before someone else does. You have, if you are lucky, two months before this Thumbprint is no longer on the shelves.
I'm saving the last of this 4 pack for next year to see if less becomes even more less sour.
Apr 26, 2016
TH28 from Florida
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle. No bottle date. Appearance: Brilliant ruby red undertones behind a dark brown, mostly clear, with a thicker than normal khaki head for the style. Aroma: Stong cherry and lactic acid aromas Taste: Rich maltiness with strong cherry and plum notes, with a strong lactic lactic tartness. Hints of oak wood and vanilla pop up retronasally. Mouthfeel: Medium body with high carbonation. Finish: Lingering acidic tartness dominates, with some cherry and oak. Overall: A fresh, sharp, highly acidic version of the style. Flavor is very complex with high fruitiness upfront, with a subtle oak and vanilla character on the backend. Interested to see how the flavors develop in the cellar.
Apr 24, 2016
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle. No bottle date. Appearance: Brilliant ruby red undertones behind a dark brown, mostly clear, with a thicker than normal khaki head for the style. Aroma: Stong cherry and lactic acid aromas Taste: Rich maltiness with strong cherry and plum notes, with a strong lactic lactic tartness. Hints of oak wood and vanilla pop up retronasally. Mouthfeel: Medium body with high carbonation. Finish: Lingering acidic tartness dominates, with some cherry and oak. Overall: A fresh, sharp, highly acidic version of the style. Flavor is very complex with high fruitiness upfront, with a subtle oak and vanilla character on the backend. Interested to see how the flavors develop in the cellar.
Apr 24, 2016
SerialTicker from Michigan
4.07/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Nice brew. Smells decidedly tart and funky with a fairly pronounced maltiness. A little acidic like vinegar as well. The taste is similar, with a great combo of tart funk, sweet malt, and then a somewhat dry and oaky aftertaste. The flavors here are not exactly intense, but they are pleasant. This tastes like sucking on a vinegar soaked piece of oak, and I enjoy that, actually -- I just wish for more depth, or something... like dark fruit flavors.
As it stands, this is a very solid oud bruin, and another nice beer from New Glarus... it'd just be better if it had a bit more going on. Regardless, worth a buy or trade.
Apr 19, 2016
4.07/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Nice brew. Smells decidedly tart and funky with a fairly pronounced maltiness. A little acidic like vinegar as well. The taste is similar, with a great combo of tart funk, sweet malt, and then a somewhat dry and oaky aftertaste. The flavors here are not exactly intense, but they are pleasant. This tastes like sucking on a vinegar soaked piece of oak, and I enjoy that, actually -- I just wish for more depth, or something... like dark fruit flavors.
As it stands, this is a very solid oud bruin, and another nice beer from New Glarus... it'd just be better if it had a bit more going on. Regardless, worth a buy or trade.
Apr 19, 2016
1000lbgrizzly from Illinois
4.04/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Clear rust-colored body, fine carbonation rises, off-white head fades to nothing. Nose contains very tart cranberry and cherry, raw grain and wood pulp. Taste becomes more balanced between the tart and sweet red fruit compote and toffee malt and fresh wet wood. Moderately puckering, with acceptably sweet, with strong, almost unwelcome, presence of wood. Feel is medium bodied, syrupy, wholesomely effervescent.
Tasty, sour, sweet, mature rendition of this style. I would have preferred more sour and less wood/grain, but I can't fault them for their ratio. I would guess the mystery ABV is 6-7%.
Apr 12, 2016
4.04/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Clear rust-colored body, fine carbonation rises, off-white head fades to nothing. Nose contains very tart cranberry and cherry, raw grain and wood pulp. Taste becomes more balanced between the tart and sweet red fruit compote and toffee malt and fresh wet wood. Moderately puckering, with acceptably sweet, with strong, almost unwelcome, presence of wood. Feel is medium bodied, syrupy, wholesomely effervescent.
Tasty, sour, sweet, mature rendition of this style. I would have preferred more sour and less wood/grain, but I can't fault them for their ratio. I would guess the mystery ABV is 6-7%.
Apr 12, 2016
cjgator3 from Florida
4.23/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle poured into a tulip glass. 2016 vintage. It pours a dark brown color with an amber hue when held up to the light with an off-white head that dissipates to a thin ring around the glass. The aroma is mouthwateringly tart, with dark fruits, cherries, and oak. The taste is not as tart as the nose suggests and really features a nice balance between tart/sweet with caramel malts, dark fruits and oak rounding out the taste. The mouthfeel is light bodied with lively carbonation prickling the tongue and roof of the mouth.
Overall, Oud Bruin from New Glarus is a really well made and complex beer that I thoroughly enjoyed. As someone who does not particularly like overly tart/sour beers, I feel that this one is not over the top and is well balanced with complex flavors/sweetness to offset some of the tartness.
Apr 10, 2016
4.23/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle poured into a tulip glass. 2016 vintage. It pours a dark brown color with an amber hue when held up to the light with an off-white head that dissipates to a thin ring around the glass. The aroma is mouthwateringly tart, with dark fruits, cherries, and oak. The taste is not as tart as the nose suggests and really features a nice balance between tart/sweet with caramel malts, dark fruits and oak rounding out the taste. The mouthfeel is light bodied with lively carbonation prickling the tongue and roof of the mouth.
Overall, Oud Bruin from New Glarus is a really well made and complex beer that I thoroughly enjoyed. As someone who does not particularly like overly tart/sour beers, I feel that this one is not over the top and is well balanced with complex flavors/sweetness to offset some of the tartness.
Apr 10, 2016
drdiesel9483 from Ohio
4.15/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great dark auburn color with slight head and sticky lacing. Dark cherry tart scent. Just like the scent, dark cherry and pretty tart. Medium body and light carbonation. Fantastic Flanders beer. Much like a sour but more vinegar.
Apr 10, 2016
4.15/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great dark auburn color with slight head and sticky lacing. Dark cherry tart scent. Just like the scent, dark cherry and pretty tart. Medium body and light carbonation. Fantastic Flanders beer. Much like a sour but more vinegar.
Apr 10, 2016
Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
4.02/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Oud Bruin 2016. This pours fairly dark. It's head is fairly thin, and dissipates fairly quickly. It smells of fruit on the nose, cherries? The taste Is fairly fruity. It's also tart. The previous Oud Bruin was somewhat funky tasting, but they did fix the problems with the last one. I'd recommend it.
Apr 07, 2016
4.02/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Oud Bruin 2016. This pours fairly dark. It's head is fairly thin, and dissipates fairly quickly. It smells of fruit on the nose, cherries? The taste Is fairly fruity. It's also tart. The previous Oud Bruin was somewhat funky tasting, but they did fix the problems with the last one. I'd recommend it.
Apr 07, 2016
breadwinner from California
4.41/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
To me, this is NG's shot at Rodenbach Grand Cru, and, honestly, they pretty much crushed it. It might lack a touch of the musty oak/funk of its progenitor, and is probably a touch sweeter, but this is pretty damn on point, from the tart berry notes, the unmistakeable hint of funk/bugs, and almost brown sugar-like malt base. Looks lovely out of the bottle, dark red-tinged brown, even a layer of foam that hangs around ever so lightly. Carb is right about perfect. Further proof that NG is arguably the most complete brewery in the country. Wisconsonites ought rightly be proud.
Apr 02, 2016
4.41/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
To me, this is NG's shot at Rodenbach Grand Cru, and, honestly, they pretty much crushed it. It might lack a touch of the musty oak/funk of its progenitor, and is probably a touch sweeter, but this is pretty damn on point, from the tart berry notes, the unmistakeable hint of funk/bugs, and almost brown sugar-like malt base. Looks lovely out of the bottle, dark red-tinged brown, even a layer of foam that hangs around ever so lightly. Carb is right about perfect. Further proof that NG is arguably the most complete brewery in the country. Wisconsonites ought rightly be proud.
Apr 02, 2016
Thumbprint Oud Bruin from New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
779 ratings
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