Grapes in beer: Thoughts?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by busternuggz, Feb 18, 2013.

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  1. busternuggz

    busternuggz Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 California

    After trying and being disappointed by Odell Amuste yesterday, I started thinking about the semi-trend of using grapes in beer. With the exception of Rosso e Marrone, I don't think I've ever had a beer with grapes in it that I liked (and the grape was pretty subtle in Rosso). I feel like Noble Rot might be good, and it's got decent reviews; but I'm hesitant to pay that DFH price tag, and I'm pretty sure I'd like any number of cheaper, non-grape saisons more.

    What does BA think? Anyone out there just loving the shit out of some grape beers?
     
  2. DogfishJoe

    DogfishJoe Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2010 Ohio

    noble rot is awesome.
     
  3. hooliganlife

    hooliganlife Pooh-Bah (1,697) Apr 12, 2007 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Society

    don Q, vigneronne, lamvinus

    /thread
     
  4. TMoney2591

    TMoney2591 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,103) Apr 21, 2009 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Noble Rot and Midas Touch are both pretty tasty. Ska's Hibernal Vinifera turned out surprisingly well. The Blue Moon 750s (Proximity and Impulse) were okay, but nothing I'll ever drink again.

    Though I'm sure I'm forgetting plenty of other examples, I've generally been pleased with the use of grapes thus far, and I look forward to future examples crossing my lips. As with any beer-related ingredient trend, everything depends on how it's used, so there's bound to be an awful lot of variation, both in terms of quality and especially in terms of opinions.
     
  5. evilcatfish

    evilcatfish Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Missouri
    Trader

    SKa's Vinifera Stout is pretty tasty
     
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  6. dsal89

    dsal89 Initiate (0) Jul 6, 2008 Indiana

    I third Ska Vinifera Stout. Really nice
     
  7. busternuggz

    busternuggz Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 California

    Yeah the grape sours are working out the best I think. I'm told Pinotlambicus was pretty good too but I didn't get to try it.
     
  8. busternuggz

    busternuggz Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 California

    Never cared for Midas Touch, which also makes me hesitant to try Noble Rot...I'll probably try it if I see it on tap somewhere but I don't think I'm getting a bottle of it.
     
  9. digitalbullet

    digitalbullet Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2008 California

    I loved vertical epic '10
     
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  10. LeRose

    LeRose Grand Pooh-Bah (3,509) Nov 24, 2011 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Midas Touch is a favorite, and call me crazy but I thoroughly enjoyed DFH Red and White too. I have yet to try Noble Rot. From the couple i have tried, i find I like the layer of flavor the grape provides. I imagine it could be totally overdone, but I think grapes can add a nice touch if handled deftly.
     
  11. busternuggz

    busternuggz Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 California

    You guys reminded me I had a can of this waiting in the fridge : P

    Just busted it out...yeah it's pretty good, better than Amuste. Still not getting me on the grape train but thanks for weighing in : )
     
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  12. merc7186

    merc7186 Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2010 New York

    Just recently dd Pinotlambicus and Oui Oui side by side...both were good but I preferred Oui Oui better. Also did an '02 Vigerrone and it was the bomb, very nice grape bitterness.
     
  13. chuckl8899

    chuckl8899 Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2009 California

    Social Kitchen, a brewpub in SF, just made a saison with semillon grapes that is very tasty indeed
     
  14. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    Bring them on.

    Had Framboise Noir from Draai Laag recently and thought the Nebbiolo grapes worked well (feel free to check my review). Cantillon Saint Lamvinus is basically my favorite beer; I remember the employees, and myself, at Spuyten Duyvil coming in for a few days after a special event to try to kill the cask (pretty sure it was a cask) that was on.

    I think, like any other special ingredient in a beer, some brewers do it very well, and many seem not quite sure what to do.
     
  15. busternuggz

    busternuggz Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 California

    Yeah I wanted to like Red and White but it just didn't do it for me. I know a lot of people like Midas too, but it just tastes too much like stale sweet wine to me. If it makes you fell less "crazy" I actually kinda liked Black & Red : )

    I really expected at least a few grape beer haters. Maybe I'm the weird one for not liking them...
     
  16. busternuggz

    busternuggz Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 California

    Indeed.
     
  17. supermodified

    supermodified Initiate (0) Nov 28, 2012 Ohio

    I tried grapes in beer once. Nearly choked to death on the damn things.

    Not recommended without a straw.
     
  18. blivingston1985

    blivingston1985 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2010 North Carolina

    I think one major thing to keep in mind with these kind of ales is that some brew isn't exactly just "drinking" brew. They are like the old world wines. They are but another ingredient in an even larger scope of flavor and texture brought about by pairing the proper wine(beer(or winebeer))with the prop dish. A Gigondas from Rhone, France is one thing just savored from a glass, but is another expeirence entirely when paired with a lamb dish or cold cuts and cheeses. Positive Contact was an exceptional beer. I tried waiting for the right meal, but the right meal didn't happen fast enough so I cracked it and as soon as I finished my first swallow I thought, "Damnit! I knew I should have waited for a couple days so I could bring home some Oxtail or something!"
     
  19. blivingston1985

    blivingston1985 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2010 North Carolina

    I think one major thing to keep in mind with these kind of ales is that some brew isn't exactly just "drinking" brew. They are like the old world wines. They are but another ingredient in an even larger scope of flavor and texture brought about by pairing the proper wine(beer(or winebeer))with the prop dish. A Gigondas from Rhone, France is one thing just savored from a glass, but is another experience entirely when paired with a lamb dish or cold cuts and cheeses. Positive Contact was an exceptional beer. I tried waiting for the right meal, but the right meal didn't happen fast enough so I cracked it and as soon as I finished my first swallow I thought, "Damnit! I knew I should have waited for a couple days so I could bring home some Oxtail or something!"



    I realize Positive Contact isn't a grape hybrid, but you see my point.
     
  20. Mandark

    Mandark Zealot (575) Apr 8, 2008 Illinois

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