Deschutes The Dissident

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Sour Ale/Wild Ale
Bend, Oregon USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

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A vigorous pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a frothy, somewhat large bubbled, initially three-finger thick, lightly amber tinged, tan colored head. The beer is dark amber / plum color that shows an almost brilliantly clear, light cranberry color when held up to the light. The aroma is quite wine like as it smells of dark fruit and oak. Further inspection yields a noticeable, but light, lactic tartness that accentuates aromas of sour grapes, tart plums and fermented raisins. The oak is the most dominant part of the nose with spicy oak notes, a woody tannic sort of thing, a touch of butterscotch, and some light vanillin notes towards the finish. This actually gets fairly toasty towards the finish (a bit like lightly browned saltine crackers) that is definitely malt induced but could also be from some toasty oak influence. The fruit aromatics get a touch jam like as the beer warms up a bit too.

Fairly thick and chewy with a tart, fruitiness that sort of clings to the palate, but doesn’t provide much, if any at all, sweetness. The oak character seems to have contributed lots of tannic structure that has influenced the body and mouthfeel of this beer. this has quite a bit of berry-accented red wine like flavors to it as well as just a touch of perceived fruity sweetness. The finish has a fair amount of oak influence, but it is only one part of this beer and does not play the leading role that it did in the aroma. The tartness is actually less than it was in the aroma too, even though it was fairly light there. This has a substantial, flavorful, though somewhat soft, sour cherry flavor to it, especially as the beer warms up; both the flavorful tannic skin contributes to the flavor as does a fleshy cherry fruitiness. As it warms it also picks up some concord grape flavors as well as definitely getting more sweet.

This is a really easy drinking sour beer; it is very soft for a wild fermented beer and quite clean. The wine barrels and cherries almost seem to be more influential than the wild bugs, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. This is actually on the simplistic side for something that could have been funky and challenging; on the plus side though it is quite refined. This is fantastically drinkable, especially considering its alcohol content & I definitely like the bright fruit character that is here as well as the balance provided by the oak character.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

22oz bottle thanks to someone at The Bottle Shop - 2010 vintage. Reddish brown brew with a small amount of off-white head. Nose of pitted fruit, berries, and oak. Taste is tart with some earth and more fruit.

Shared at WTWBA 2012, Brooklyn. The aroma is sour, tart cherries. The appearance is dark brown/red, off-white head. The flavor is sour, tart cherries. The finish is sour, vinegar-like, no fruit. Pretty good.

22 oz. bottle, split courtesy of uhlan (thanks Gerry!), pours a beautiful ruby red with a small beige head. Aroma is uber-complex, with sour cherries, sweet candied sugar, some candy floss and light acidity. The flavour reveals more of the acidity, but also dominated by sour cherries, medium sweetness, some amaretto liqueur, and quite a lot of booze, despite this having been a 2-year old bottle. Couldn’t drink a lot of this, but in smaller samples, this is exquisite. Very complex and refined.

Poured a nice reddish brown. Had a sour cherry smell and taste. Hints of pear and oak. Purchased in 2008 it aged very well. I loved this one.

pours a copper red with a minimal head. aroma is beast, typical flanders with a strong sour cherry note. taste isnt as good, medicinal notes overpower flanders taste and sour cherries fade to the finish, i am a bit disappointed, this is not as good as i expected. off tastes effect the mouthfeel, almost puts the brakes on my tastebuds, ill take a red poppy any day over this

Bottle from marcus. Color is brown with an off white head. Aroma is woody an sour. Taste has a nice oak barrel taste that finishes sour.

Pour a nice mahogany red with a 1/4 of carb. Smells is really interesting on this one... I almost get a vomit smell, i typically do though with oude bruins. I do smell the barrel though as well. I can taste the dark fruits in this but the mild acidicy takes over. I like it for what it is but once is enough for me.

Starts with a nice blend of sweet and sour cherries. A bit of funk and tartness follows. Notes of oak follow at the end. Really, this beer has a lot of tartness, but not a lot of true sourness. My only real problem is the alcohol content. It’s too boozy. There’s this tug-o-war going on between the sour and alcohol burn that takes away from the enjoyment of the beer. Still, It’s quite good.

2010 Bottle served in a tulip. Pours deep amber with a short head. Minimal retention and lace. Bright red cherry aroma with oak in the head, honeysuckle-candy notes in the elixir, and a persistent sour tone. Very appealing. Medium sweet flavor of cherry, oak, and lemon. Light-medium body, solid carbonation, sticky-thin texture, and a moderately sour, fruity finish. The cherry buries the brett for me, leaving minimal yeast fingerprints. This could be my favorite Deschutes beer.

2010 bottle bought at GBBF 2011, shared with Trapissed. Dark brown beer with stewed fruits and brett on the nose. In flavour its not as lactic as expected, with some acetic notes. Fairly carbonated and acidic texture...lemon juice. Its towards rodenbach on the sours scale. No notice of the cherries. Paired with langres washed rind cheese