Allagash built an actual coolship, a shallow open vessel used in traditional lambic brewing to expose wort to wild yeast overnight, one of very few American breweries to replicate the exact traditional method rather than simply pitching a wild culture. Coolship Resurgam blends one, two and three year old batches from that process, and it won silver at the Great American Beer Festival, a rare distinction for an American spontaneous fermentation beer.
Allagash Coolship Resurgam at a glance
| Style | American spontaneously fermented ale (gueuze-style) |
| ABV | Around 6.5% to 6.7%, varies by blend |
| Calories | Around 190 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, Maine, USA |
| Ingredients | Wort cooled overnight in an open coolship, wild yeast and bacteria, blended across vintages, oak-aged |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, contains barley |
| Typical price | Around $16 to $24 for a 375ml bottle where available |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Coolship Resurgam gets remarkably close to the traditional Belgian gueuze profile through genuinely traditional methods.
The full review
It pours a golden colour with fine, persistent carbonation typical of the style. The aroma carries big pineapple and moderate sweaty, sharp Brett character, with earthy and woody tobacco-barn or tack-room notes underpinning tropical pineapple and jackfruit highlights.
As it warms, grainy malt and a touch of floral hop character emerge underneath the funk. The palate brings lemon citrus, dried fruit, white grape and oak, with a light tartness that stays well balanced rather than aggressive, finishing dry throughout.
What sets this apart from most American attempts at the lambic tradition is the method: an actual open-air coolship exposed to Maine’s local wild yeast overnight, rather than a pitched commercial wild yeast blend, giving it a genuinely unique regional character.
One of the only American beers made with an actual traditional coolship, and it earned a GABF silver medal to prove the method works.
- Genuinely traditional coolship method, rare among American breweries
- GABF silver medal recognition for spontaneous fermentation
- Well-balanced funk and citrus that avoids extremes
- Limited annual release, sells out quickly
- Vintage blending means some variation year to year
- Not cheap for a 375ml bottle
Who it is for
Sour beer enthusiasts curious about genuinely traditional spontaneous fermentation done outside Belgium, and anyone who wants to compare an authentic American coolship beer against the Belgian originals.
Allagash Coolship Resurgam FAQs
What does Allagash Coolship Resurgam taste like?
Big pineapple and sharp Brett character, earthy woody notes, lemon citrus, dried fruit, white grape and oak, with a well-balanced tartness and dry finish.
How strong is Allagash Coolship Resurgam?
Around 6.5% to 6.7% ABV, depending on the specific blend.
What is a coolship?
A shallow, open vessel traditionally used in Belgian lambic brewing to expose hot wort to open air overnight, allowing wild yeast and bacteria to inoculate it naturally. Allagash built an actual coolship rather than simply pitching a commercial wild culture.
Is Allagash Coolship Resurgam gluten free?
No, it is brewed with a barley malt base.
Has Coolship Resurgam won any awards?
Yes, it won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival, a notable achievement for an American spontaneously fermented beer.
Where is Allagash Coolship Resurgam brewed?
In Portland, Maine, at Allagash Brewing Company.
Where to find it
Released in limited quantities through the brewery and select specialty beer retailers; often sells out quickly given its reputation and the traditional method behind it.
The verdict
Allagash Coolship Resurgam is one of the few genuinely traditional spontaneous fermentation beers made in America, and the GABF silver medal reflects how well the method translates outside Belgium. An impressive four point three out of five.
