The Dissident

The Dissident
Deschutes Brewery
Bend, Oregon
10.50% ABV
Style: Flanders

C: Clear
H: Amber
N: Sour Cherries, Hint of Funk (Bret), and Hint of Booze

EvilTwin: Finding this beer was a complete accident. I got lost while driving in California and walked into a wine store just to see what they had. Looked into the cooler and this baby was staring back at me. What a great find!

It's got a nice pretty color to it, amber with a touch of red hue. There isn't really a lot of foam/head to speak of and the carbonation seems a little low. The flavor/aroma on the other hand is fantastic. The aroma has a slight cherry presence with a nice sour funk to it. Flavor isn't super heavy or over the top but holds just enough sour/tartness/fruit qualities to keep my lips glued to the glass. A fantastic beer.

Grade 4.567

The Ferm: First of all big thanks to EvilTwin for bringing this sexy wax topped bottle back from Cali to share with me.

BEST AFTER 11/01/2011.......AFTER? REALLY? Yep....I never followed directions well. Tough.

Beer was an amazing experience that was subtle sour cherries hints of other berries, and then some funk. A very light beer that reminded me almost of Sour Apple Juice. Good...DAMN STRAIGHT IT WAS! I would buy a few bottles to maybe drink after the date suggested on the bottle. Sadly, we don't get this beer in Florida and it is a pretty hard bottle to come by otherwise. Regardless this was a class act beer! Great entry level sour.

Score: 4.7912

Upright ("Punk Rock" Strong) Lager

____________ (fill in the blank)
Upright Brewing Company

6.75% ABV
Style: Lager

C: Cloudy
H: Yellow
N: Lightly Hopped, Sweet Cereal

The Ferm:
Upright Brewing Company: "Man we need to be punk rock...not enough people and breweries are punk rock! What can we do to be more PUNKKKK???? WOOO I got an idea lets brew a ridiculously strong beer and call it PUNK IPA....ohh wait thats been done. Better IDEA lets brew a super strong lager and not name it. We then can put a punk band resembling the Clash on the label! YEAH NOW WERE PUNK!"

OK, so I am not sure if that's how the concept of this beer really came around, but this is a 6.75% Lager that has no name. It is nicknamed the "Punk Rock" Strong Lager? OK well I am all about some good old punk music, but this idea just seems a bit commercial and forced for me.
To the beer! Well it poured a hazy yellow and had some interesting aromas to it. Mainly the sweet cereal which I could not put my nose on which brand it was so we will just call it Capt. Crunch! The beer was smooth on the palate but had some intense flavors of flowers, raisins, and toffee. I did not expect that from the nose.
Overall a good beer, and a very good label campaign....I can see how the marketing department at Upright would see that this would sell.
Score: 3.25