The Bruery Orchard White

Reviewed By: Herr Rick & Herr Mike
Style: Witbier
State/Country: California
ABV: 5.7%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 8.5
Pale golden color, cloudy, medium head with decent retention & lacing

Smell: 8.5
Citrus, wheat Belgian yeast, coriander

Taste: 8
Up Front: spices, coriander. Finish: Banana, sweet malt

Mouthfeel: 8.5
Medium body, medium/high carbonation

Drinkability: 8.5
Silky smooth and easy to drink

Overall Score: 8.4

Value: 7
Cost/12 oz serving: $4.04

Overall Impression:
This is my least favorite beer from The Bruery. Luckily, it's also the most affordable one. Regardless, it's still a good Witbier, and it should go over very well with Newbeez. MUCH better than Blue Moon, and closer to the real thing.

The Bruery Rugbrød

Reviewed By: Herr Rick

Style: Rye Beer
State/Country: California
ABV: 8%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 7.5
Medium brown color, lighter than I expected. Clear, not much head, with low retention, and little lacing

Smell: 8
Roasted malt and a touch of dark brown sugar

Taste: 9
Up Front: Dark fruit, slightly tart, subtle earthy flavors

Finish: Toasted malt, more fruit and mild spiciness

Mouthfeel: 8.5
Medium body with low carbonation, and a tad oily

Drinkability: 8.5

Smooth, pleasant, and quite quaffable. Alcohol very well hidden

Overall Score: 8.3

Value: 7

Cost/12 oz serving: $5.05

Overall Impression:
It had more flavor than expected considering the look and smell. This was a very interesting beer. More like a Brown Ale than your typical Rye Beer, which often has caraway added. Thankfully that was not the case here. Although I'm not big on Brown Ale or Rye Beer, I did enjoy this beer quite a bit. You probably will too!

The Bruery Saison Rue

Reviewed By: Herr Rick

Style: American Brett Ale (Saison)
State/Country: California
ABV: 8.5%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 10
Orange yellow color, cloudy, huge dense fluffy head with uber good retention and lacing

Smell: 9.5
Blast of Brett funk, with cloves, pepper, citrus

Taste: 9
Up Front: Brett funk, spices. Finish: Alcohol, sweet malt, citrus

Mouthfeel: 8.5
Medium body with high carbonation, and dry finish

Drinkability: 8.5

Crisp & refreshing

Overall Score: 9.1

Value: 7

Cost/12 oz serving: $6.06

Overall Impression:

This is the second American Brett Ale I have reviewed from The Bruery this week. This one is even more complex with intense flavors, particularly the Brett and spices. Although it is well balanced, it does learn toward sweetness a bit. It is not as sessionable (is that even a word) as Saison De Lente due mainly to the higher abv. I have a really nice Belgian Buzz going on after quaffing down this bottle.Yet another excellent American rendition of a Belgian classic from The Bruery!

The Bruery Tradewinds Tripel

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Tripel
State/Country: California
ABV: 8.1%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 9.5
Golden amber color, slightly cloudy, massive head with excellent retention & lacing

Smell: 8
Citrus, clove, basil

Taste: 8.5
Up Front: Orange, lemon, spices. Finish: Pear, apricot, pineapple

Mouthfeel: 9
Medium body with high carbonation typical of the style

Drinkability: 9
Very quaffable and thirst quenching

Overall Score: 8.9

Value: 7
Cost/12 oz serving: $5.05

Overall Impression:
I was unsure how this beer would be, considering the additions of Rice and Thai Basil, but I should be used to it by now with this brewery; they always seem to come up with interesting interpretations of classic styles, and this was no exception. I loved this beer!!! It was sweet, fruity and incredibly flavorful. Yet another winner from The Bruery!

The Bruery Saison De Lente

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: American Brett Ale (Saison)
State/Country: California
ABV: 6.5%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 9
Bright golden color, slightly cloudy, fluffy pillow-like head with great lacing

Smell: 9.5
Brett funk, lemon zest, cloves

Taste: 9
Up Front: Lemon zest, apple, malt. Finish: brett funk, earthy

Mouthfeel: 9
Light body with medium carbonation.

Drinkability: 9.5
Silky smooth, with a dry finish. Very refreshing!

Overall Score: 9.2

Value: 7
Cost/12 oz serving: $6.06

Overall Impression:
This is complex ale with delicate flavors that are really well balanced. It's classified as a Saison, but it's made in California AND they used some Brettanomyces yeast, so I am classifying it as American Brett Ale. Since the Brett Funk is present like some of the others I reviewed recently, I feel that it's a better fit. I'm really falling in love with this style of beer. As is usually the case, the 750ml bottles are on pricey side, but well worth it IMNSHO!

The Bruery Black Orchard

Reviewed By: Herr Mike AND Herr Rick
Style: Belgian Dark Ale
State/Country: California
ABV: 5.7%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 9
Deep ruby/brown, good head that sticks around, with decent lacing

Smell: 8
Chocolate, malt, yeast, plums

Taste: 8.5
Up Front: Dark fruit
Finish: Chocolate, cola

Mouthfeel: 8
Medium/light body, prickly carbonation - perhaps a bit too much

Drinkability: 8
Smooth and refreshing

Overall Score: 8.3

Value: 7
Cost/12 oz serving: $4.00

Overall Impression:
It was an enjoyable and unique beer. Apparently The Bruery has retired it, so we would suggest getting your hand on one if you happen to see it. Definitely worth trying out!

The Bruery 2 Turtle Doves

Reviewed By: Herr Rick
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
State/Country: California
ABV: 12%
Serving Type: 750ml Bottle

Look: 9
Dark brown, frothy tan head that dissipated quickly, with good lacing

Smell: 9.5
Chocolate, caramel, coffee, and a hint of nuttiness

Taste: 9
Up Front: Chocolate and caramel malt
Finish: Spicy and slightly tart

Mouthfeel: 8.5
Medium body, with moderate/high carbonation, and a little cloying

Drinkability: 8.5
Alcohol is noticeable and at 12% abv, it's not a session beer. Split the bottle with a friend or loved one

Overall Score: 8.9

Value: 7.5
Cost/12 oz serving: $4.55

Overall Impression:
This is a very interesting and complex Holiday beer. It's like a cross between a Belgian Dark Ale and an Imperial Stout. I look forward to having another next holiday season.