Bullfrog Beekeeper

Formerly brewed at Bullfrog Brewery
Style: Sour Ale/Wild Ale
Williamsport, Pennsylvania USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

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Very well carbonated, it even starts to foam over after I let it sit for a little too long. A careful pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip produces a four-finger thick, light tan colored head. The head leaves some spotty lacing as it recedes and also creates a bit of a varied, structural surface as it slowly falls. The beer is a murky, dark plum color (a mix of purple tinged amber notes) that shows a deep haze and a reddish hue when held up to the light. The aroma is definitely tart as this is noticeable even as I am pouring the beer. A deeper inspection yields wine like notes of soft oak, berry-like fruit notes and funky Brettanomyces character. Barnyard funk and sweat-dried horse-blanket notes abound. The funk mixes nicely with spicy wood notes a hint of buttery oak and a sort of peppery malt character. The funk becomes the most noticeable part of the aroma, but underneath it are notes of fruity cider and spicy pepper aromas. The oak becomes more noticeable after a bit with more buttery notes and a nice spicy oak character, both at times rivaling the funk.

Fairly thick bodied still, almost creamy except for the peppery carbonation and amply spicy oak character that really offsets the almost medium mouthfeel. Tart tasting up front, though not aggressively so, this accents wine-like berry notes that really stick to the palate. Touches of warming, even hot alcohol comes out at times; this is accentuated by lots of spicy oak notes and the pepper fermentation / carbonation character. Musty, phenolic soaked cotton balls, methanol and other funky notes abound. A very spicy brew, the oak and fermentation character really accentuates this quite a bit.

Amazingly wine-like in many ways; the oak is perhaps a little too much, but this, coupled with the big, jam-like, berry flavors makes for quite an interesting, wine-like brew. Of course this is not all that is going on as the tartness and funk is a really nice component as well. Not as complex as I look for in my funky brews; really it is the oak that might get in the way of this. This is still a very good beer and is quite tasty, but the oak is just a touch too much here for this to achieve greatness in my mind. Still I find it very easy to finish this 750ml bottle of beer, despite the obvious alcohol effect; this last was huge as this beer is far stronger than I was expecting it to be.

Bottle shared at the Philly tasting. Reddish brown pour with an off white head. Slight funk aromas mixed with dirt and leather. Mildly sour and acidic with good balance and a medium body. The taste is tart berry, some vinegar, oak, and vinous notes. Outstanding. Cheers to the guys in Philly for sharing all these wonderful beers...

25.4 oz bottle. Cloudy brown with a haze. Nose is leather, limeade, turned earth and oak with hints of honeydew. Not quite syrupy but still more weighty than expected with a sparkle peeking through. Taste is toffee, bruised green apple, dry cherry, wine and wet wood. Still tasty; more fruity than sour.

750ml bottle pours a hazy, chestnut brown with a creamy, off white head. Nose is very earthy, blue cheese, brown bread, a little honey, walnuts. Flavor is lightly sweet, lightly tart, honey, some acid, oranges. The honey really comes through more in the flavor. Acidic burn for a finish that’s followed by a bit of sweetness too. Well balanced. Interesting.

Thanks Travlr! Murky brown pour with a small white head. The nose holds blue cheese and Gorgonzola with hints of dark fruit. Very funky, but mostly dirty and stanky. Hints of red wine come through as well. Great caressing carbonation with an uber dry yet juicy finish.

Thanks to travlr for sharing this one!! Cloudy brown pour. Nose of blue cheese and gorgonzola, a touch of vinous notes, and not a ton more. The flavor brings more dank cheese, dark fruit like plum and raisin, and damp cloth. Nice.

Bottle shared by Travlr. Pours hazy brown with a medium, frothy light tan head, long retention with good lacing. Aroma is cheesy, vinous, oak, honey, toast and caramel malt, light alcohol, and dates. Flavor is light alcohol, phenols, cheesy, honey, oak, caramel and toast malt, and a sweet finish. Full body, medium warmth and carbonation.

750mL thanks to Travlr. The pour is a muddy, mineral laden brune with a medium, fizzing tan head. Low carbonation. Nose is sharp, briny bleu cheese and Gorgonzola cheese. Odd stuff. Not bad...just very strangely funky. As it warms there is more Flemish red type of funk and big sour fruit character. I’m digging the nose, though it is very unorthodox. Taste bring a lot of red wine barrel, spicy oak, mild salt, and actually there is a cinnamon and richer honey character from the base beer. Mouth watering palate and very mineral laden in feel. Good stuff, reminds me a bit of Oerbier Reserva.

Bottle courtesy of JAXSON, thanks! Murky cariegated golden brown color, large beige head with good retention. Aroma of funky cheese rind dipped in balsamic vinegar, dust. Taste is dusty red plums, peaches dipped in white wine. Very nice.

Clear brown pour with a thin white head. Dry oaky aroma with notes of vanilla and cream. Sweet flavor with lots of wine and oak. Bitter tannic finish. Alcohol is suprisingly noticeable. Decent sour.

Big thanks to Diego on sharing one of my oldest, most wanted wants. Truly, Diego is a gem of the community and one of the most generous people I know. Brownish hue, not what I was expecting. Nose has a definite funky quality that transcends mere sourness and really gets the moldy thing correct. Kind of a muddy beer, some mild sweetness mixed with midrange tartness, not tons of clearly defined flavors but still very, very good.