Victor Francenstein - Allagash Brewing Company

Victor Francenstein

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Overall: 9.44/10 by 4 dudes

Standard Deviation: 0.26 or 2.72%

Trend: 9.44/10 over past 5 reviews

Style: American Wild Ale

ABV: 9.70%

Season: One-time

Have Another: 100%

370 beers rated with a 7.94 average
  • 9.54/10 have another
  • A: 10.0 | T: 9.0 | L: 9.0 | M: 10.0 | O: 10.0
  • sDev: 1.06% Color: Deep Gold
  • A: Pure, deep gold, with a slight amount of yeast. Soft and delicate white foam, that only remains as a narrow ring around my snifter.

    S: Sour and then big grape notes, I picture green grapes. Seems sophisticated and very wine like. Where the sour, and fermented grapes, and wood, and alcohol meet, it almost comes across as a liquer

    T: Perfectly balanced. The sour is not overly tart, very semi sweet, and the alcohol is an accent. No funkiness as sometimes appears in this style. Has oak, but muted vanilla. Medium both in mouthfeel and carbonation.

    O: Allagash is at the top of the craft brewing world in terms of quality. This brew is very rare and that's too bad. You must be ready for a wine
    experience, but with that said it's a total complex experience. Hope you are lucky enough to try this someday.
  • 812 characters
  • Reviewed: Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 21:23:46
  • Tasted: Thursday, December 01, 2011
  • $0.00 for 375 ml bottle
113 beers rated with a 8.19 average
  • 9.00/10 have another
  • A: 9.0 | T: 9.0 | L: 9.0 | M: 9.0 | O: 9.0
  • sDev: 4.66% Color: 6
  • Full aroma apparent from a distance. Clear but not overpowering sour in the background- grape in foreground.

    Clear- you can read through this beer. Slight lace that clings to glass suggesting it might be syrup/alcohol element to it.

    Surprisingly wine like- which makes sense. Very delicate, crisp, clearly all the positive elements of grape. Oak blends well- slight bite to the 'beer.'

    Incredibly surprising. If you served this to a beer novice or hater, they would insist it's a wine. Alcohol well hidden.

    This is the perfect night cap.
  • 547 characters
  • Reviewed: Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 21:03:55
  • Tasted: Thursday, December 01, 2011
  • $0.00 for 12 oz. bottle
310 beers rated with a 8.28 average
  • 9.64/10 have another
  • A: 10.0 | T: 10.0 | L: 9.0 | M: 9.0 | O: 9.0
  • sDev: 2.12% Color: Golden
  • Pours a rich golden color with no head, just a thin ring of white foam clings to the side of the glass.

    Aroma is sour tart aroma. A hint of oak and vanilla with a nice white grape sent dancing around the nose.

    Taste has a nice white grape flavor with a nice oak finish. Very sour and tart. Has a warmth similar to a wine from the abv on the finish.

    Medium body with a medium carbonation. Creamy and smooth with slightly dry finish on the palate.

    Overall and very nice sour beer. Has a lot of wine like qualities and makes for a fun interesting beer with a nice level of complexity. Thanks for sharing this one Scot!
  • 630 characters
  • Reviewed: Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 21:02:54
  • Tasted: Thursday, December 01, 2011
  • $0.00 for 375 ml bottle
1,467 beers rated with a 7.84 average
  • 9.58/10 have another
  • A: 10.0 | T: 10.0 | L: 8.0 | M: 9.0 | O: 9.0
  • sDev: 1.48% Color: Amber/Gold
  • Pours clear with almost no head, what little foam is there is white with little retention. Lacing forms a off-white ring that quickly falls back.

    Aroma is tart with vinegar notes. Brett, green grapes, and wood (possibly oak). There is a wine like presence to be had too.

    Taste is tart on the tip of the tongue but the quickly and pleasingly gives way to a much more complex beer. The finish carries bright oak and wine flavor and heat. Grapes start quickly and last throughout.

    Light body with a big dose of carbonation on the tip of the tongue that quickly goes dormant.

    A easy to drink sour beer that is complex and interesting. Definitely a show grabber that unfortunately I have no more than this one bottle. Recommended to anyone. Enjoy!
  • 754 characters
  • Reviewed: Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 21:02:38
  • Tasted: Thursday, December 01, 2011
  • $0.00 for 375 ml bottle
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Beer Notes
  • Victor Francenstein was created by aging 2008 victor ale in french oak wine barrels for one year with a blend of lactobacillus and brettanomyces. 100 lbs of 2009 cabernet franc grapes were then added to the barrel for an additional six months of aging. The resulting beer is dry, tart and fruity. Fresh strawberries and citrus are present in an aroma that gives way to flavors of grapefruit and rum. The tart finish has hints of vanilla and oak.
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