-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
XV (√225 Saison)
BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)
- From:
- BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)
- Switzerland
- Style:
- Saison
Ranked #110 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,175 - Avg:
- 4.24 | pDev: 8.25%
- Reviews:
- 101
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sep 26, 2023
- Added:
- Dec 10, 2012
- Wants:
- 34
- Gots:
- 82
Aged in third use Abbay de Saint bon Chien barrels for 4 months.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Sanchezrox23:
Rated by Sanchezrox23 from Virginia
4.05/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Mar 17, 2015
4.05/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Mar 17, 2015
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Gajo74 from New York
4.34/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Out of the bottle, it pours a clear yellow color, looking hazy and with an orange tint in the glass. A large foamy head retains very well, leaving a leathery layer of film and lacing throughout.
The nose is rustic and funky, emitting notes of tart fruit, spices and oak. Aromas of lemon, peach, white grape, musty grass, pepper and coriander.
Definitely on the tart and funky side with dry notes of oak, perhaps Brett, fruit and spices. Notes of lemon, lime, sourdough, cracker, white grape, dry green apple cider, coriander, clove and white pepper.
Medium bodied with a vinous mouthfeel and dry palate. The finish is tart and quite dry. The carbonation is lively.
A very tasty example of a sour/tart Saidon with good barrel character. I would have again.
Dec 30, 2021The nose is rustic and funky, emitting notes of tart fruit, spices and oak. Aromas of lemon, peach, white grape, musty grass, pepper and coriander.
Definitely on the tart and funky side with dry notes of oak, perhaps Brett, fruit and spices. Notes of lemon, lime, sourdough, cracker, white grape, dry green apple cider, coriander, clove and white pepper.
Medium bodied with a vinous mouthfeel and dry palate. The finish is tart and quite dry. The carbonation is lively.
A very tasty example of a sour/tart Saidon with good barrel character. I would have again.
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.16/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.16/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a clear golden color with a one-finger head that fades to a collar; not much lacing
Smell: Funky hay aromatics with hints of green apple, white wine grape and lemon, all supported by a bready/yeasty aspect
Taste: Green apple, lemon and white wine grape flavors up front, with a tart and funky element building; the bread and yeast flavors underpin along with some spicy phenols that merge into the finish, though the tart and funk linger
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: This is from Batch 5 and I imagine it is a few years old as the carbonation is starting to slow down; it would be better with a livelier mouthfeel
Nov 01, 2021Smell: Funky hay aromatics with hints of green apple, white wine grape and lemon, all supported by a bready/yeasty aspect
Taste: Green apple, lemon and white wine grape flavors up front, with a tart and funky element building; the bread and yeast flavors underpin along with some spicy phenols that merge into the finish, though the tart and funk linger
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: This is from Batch 5 and I imagine it is a few years old as the carbonation is starting to slow down; it would be better with a livelier mouthfeel
Reviewed by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Swing top bottle. No batch number and the size is hidden by a torn label. Assuming it's about 11.2 oz.
Pours a beautifully hazy deep amber color with tinges of orange. The head is massive, a creamy off-white color. Incredibly stubborn retention; Like the head on a root beer float. Leaves some sticky cobwebs along the glass as the head takes its sweet time dissipating. Not a typical appearance for the style, but an absolutely gorgeous beer nonetheless. Can't help but give it a 5.
Strong aromas of granny smith apples, pear, and apricot. Some light vinegar, banana esters, citrus zest, hay, oak, and funk. Lots of cereal grain and doughy malts in the back.
The flavor brings notes of green apples, apricot, peaches, and pear, followed by some white wine vinegar, damp hay, oak, and funk. Finishes grainy, herbal, and with some light pepper spice.
The feel is medium-light bodied with good carbonation. Soft, yet sharp and acidic. Very easy to drink.
Overall, this is a great saison. It's lightly tart, lightly funky, with plenty of earthy notes and fruit. So easy to drink It's borderline illegal.
Oct 14, 2021Pours a beautifully hazy deep amber color with tinges of orange. The head is massive, a creamy off-white color. Incredibly stubborn retention; Like the head on a root beer float. Leaves some sticky cobwebs along the glass as the head takes its sweet time dissipating. Not a typical appearance for the style, but an absolutely gorgeous beer nonetheless. Can't help but give it a 5.
Strong aromas of granny smith apples, pear, and apricot. Some light vinegar, banana esters, citrus zest, hay, oak, and funk. Lots of cereal grain and doughy malts in the back.
The flavor brings notes of green apples, apricot, peaches, and pear, followed by some white wine vinegar, damp hay, oak, and funk. Finishes grainy, herbal, and with some light pepper spice.
The feel is medium-light bodied with good carbonation. Soft, yet sharp and acidic. Very easy to drink.
Overall, this is a great saison. It's lightly tart, lightly funky, with plenty of earthy notes and fruit. So easy to drink It's borderline illegal.
Reviewed by kitch from Hong Kong
3.81/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A 750ml bottle, 2016 vintage, with a notched best before date of August 2021. Poured into a Holy Mountain tulip glass.
Appearance: A very lightly hazy golden orange colour with a big three finger white head that had decent retention and left lots of nice lacing.
Aroma: Light tartness, apricot, citrus zest and rind, green apple, notes of funk, oak, and a splash of lime.
Taste: Tart, lemon, orange, funky, pepper spice, grass, lightly herbal, and bitter notes.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: An interesting refreshing Saison, but perhaps a bit too herbal for me.
Nov 10, 2020Appearance: A very lightly hazy golden orange colour with a big three finger white head that had decent retention and left lots of nice lacing.
Aroma: Light tartness, apricot, citrus zest and rind, green apple, notes of funk, oak, and a splash of lime.
Taste: Tart, lemon, orange, funky, pepper spice, grass, lightly herbal, and bitter notes.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: An interesting refreshing Saison, but perhaps a bit too herbal for me.
Reviewed by SimplySinister from Florida
4.5/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Bottle marked 2014. Restrained pour into chalice producing a cloudy golden straw/ pale orange colored brew sporting a 1-2" head. Moderately dissipating head. High carbonation.
S - Honey, orange/ citrus, bread, yeast. Sour. Some banana.
T - Amazing. Honey, orange, bread, yeast. Sour. Clove. Grass/ straw.
M - Big bite to this one. Refreshing. Clean. Non-artificial. Medium bodied. No synthetic flavors whatsoever. Sessionable.
D - Fantastic. Finishing a pint of this brew is no chore. All in all, one of the best farmhouse saisons I've ever tried.
Nov 04, 2020S - Honey, orange/ citrus, bread, yeast. Sour. Some banana.
T - Amazing. Honey, orange, bread, yeast. Sour. Clove. Grass/ straw.
M - Big bite to this one. Refreshing. Clean. Non-artificial. Medium bodied. No synthetic flavors whatsoever. Sessionable.
D - Fantastic. Finishing a pint of this brew is no chore. All in all, one of the best farmhouse saisons I've ever tried.
Reviewed by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
4.51/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.51/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Batch 4 bottle
Pours hazy golden amber orange with a fairly dense creamy white foam head. Smells a bit acetic and vinegary, tannic and vinous, acidic with oak wine barrel, tart citrus, sour lemon, leather, phenolic spice, vanilla, banana, apricot, bready grainy malts, with dusty floral earthy herbal hops. Tastes more complex with a bit more depth, acidic tannic oak red wine barrel, touch of vinous cherry, sour lemony citrus, leathery phenolic spice, unripe green banana, apricot, tart apple, pear, toasty bready wheaty cereal grain malts, hint of vanilla, and floral earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium-light bodied, fairly creamy, dry with smooth moderate carbonation. Overall a real nice oak aged slightly sour saison.
Sep 12, 2020Pours hazy golden amber orange with a fairly dense creamy white foam head. Smells a bit acetic and vinegary, tannic and vinous, acidic with oak wine barrel, tart citrus, sour lemon, leather, phenolic spice, vanilla, banana, apricot, bready grainy malts, with dusty floral earthy herbal hops. Tastes more complex with a bit more depth, acidic tannic oak red wine barrel, touch of vinous cherry, sour lemony citrus, leathery phenolic spice, unripe green banana, apricot, tart apple, pear, toasty bready wheaty cereal grain malts, hint of vanilla, and floral earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium-light bodied, fairly creamy, dry with smooth moderate carbonation. Overall a real nice oak aged slightly sour saison.
Reviewed by AElfwine_Nerevar from Connecticut
4.7/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
4.7/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Bottle with the production code: L1 09.2024
I am guessing that this is a best by date with a shelf life of five years; so this beer should be about 10 months young.
L: A decanted slow pour yields a pale to deep gold with excellent clarity and a fine, white finger of head with good retention. After a few minutes the head has fallen to a 4 mm ring around the circumference of the glass leaving a good amount of spotty lacing as the beer goes down.
S: A prominent spiciness, a hint of vanilla, citrus character, herbal/tea notes, a bit of funky oak, a good amount of yeasty brett goodness, and the faintest of white wine notes.
T: I get lemon and tea on the front end mixing with some fresh cut grass/hay and a bit of grainy malt character in the middle. On the backend woody funk with some cedar character comes in mixed with a gentle lactic acidity and light notes of oak and white grapes. On the finish I get some cloves and a very light bitterness.
F: A medium body with medium-light carbonation. The mouthfeel is soft and a bit smooth with a well balanced acidity that doesn't overpower. The finish has a bit of dryness.
O: For me this is the gold standard for a farmhouse ale. This beer ages very well. I recently tried a bottle from 2014 and it had held up amazingly for an almost 7 year old saison. Balance is the key here. All components of this beer come together perfectly without one overwhelming or detracting from the other. This one is highly recommended!
Jul 27, 2020I am guessing that this is a best by date with a shelf life of five years; so this beer should be about 10 months young.
L: A decanted slow pour yields a pale to deep gold with excellent clarity and a fine, white finger of head with good retention. After a few minutes the head has fallen to a 4 mm ring around the circumference of the glass leaving a good amount of spotty lacing as the beer goes down.
S: A prominent spiciness, a hint of vanilla, citrus character, herbal/tea notes, a bit of funky oak, a good amount of yeasty brett goodness, and the faintest of white wine notes.
T: I get lemon and tea on the front end mixing with some fresh cut grass/hay and a bit of grainy malt character in the middle. On the backend woody funk with some cedar character comes in mixed with a gentle lactic acidity and light notes of oak and white grapes. On the finish I get some cloves and a very light bitterness.
F: A medium body with medium-light carbonation. The mouthfeel is soft and a bit smooth with a well balanced acidity that doesn't overpower. The finish has a bit of dryness.
O: For me this is the gold standard for a farmhouse ale. This beer ages very well. I recently tried a bottle from 2014 and it had held up amazingly for an almost 7 year old saison. Balance is the key here. All components of this beer come together perfectly without one overwhelming or detracting from the other. This one is highly recommended!
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York
4.88/5 rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.88/5 rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
This one pours a hazy golden orange color, with a tight fluffy head, and lots of lacing.
This smells like floral funk, ripe peach, oak, vanilla, pears, apple, and barnyard funk.
This is absolutely incredible - one of the best saisons that I've ever had. This brewery is just so underrated - this and ADSBC are some of the best beers in their style. The barrel character on this is really nice - some wine-like acidity, oak spice, even a bit of vanilla. The yeast character is really citrusy, but also with dry melon, peach, and pear type flavors. The funk factor increases as the beer warms a bit, lending floral and spicy barnyard type flavors.
This is light bodied, crisp, and with a perfect acidity. It's got a really killer softness to it.
This might be the best saison I've had made in Europe. HF saisons are my end-all-be-all worldwide, but this absolutely stacks up.
Jun 19, 2020This smells like floral funk, ripe peach, oak, vanilla, pears, apple, and barnyard funk.
This is absolutely incredible - one of the best saisons that I've ever had. This brewery is just so underrated - this and ADSBC are some of the best beers in their style. The barrel character on this is really nice - some wine-like acidity, oak spice, even a bit of vanilla. The yeast character is really citrusy, but also with dry melon, peach, and pear type flavors. The funk factor increases as the beer warms a bit, lending floral and spicy barnyard type flavors.
This is light bodied, crisp, and with a perfect acidity. It's got a really killer softness to it.
This might be the best saison I've had made in Europe. HF saisons are my end-all-be-all worldwide, but this absolutely stacks up.
XV (√225 Saison) from BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
614 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!