Saranac High Peaks Lemon Ginger
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac High Peaks Lemon GingerSaranac High Peaks Lemon Ginger
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From:
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.61 | pDev: 14.13%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
78
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 24, 2014
Added:
Apr 23, 2012
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Ivanhoes_Backpack:
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Rated by Ivanhoes_Backpack from Canada (NB)

2.75/5  rDev -23.8%

Jul 03, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jul 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by atrocity from Virginia

Apr 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by spedprof from West Virginia

Apr 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Evarigan from New York

Mar 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Goldndomer from Pennsylvania

Feb 10, 2014
Photo of ElijahRivera
Reviewed by ElijahRivera from New York

3.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bottle with no freshness date, consumed on 9-16-13.

A- Almost transparent light copper hue. Lots of tiny bubbles vigorously rising to the top. Really big, rocky, off-white head that mellows down to a respectable layer of froth that kept me company until the glass was drained. Unusual appearance for a saison, but let's get to smellin'.

S- Smells like a saison. It is very yeasty, fruity, and estery. I'm getting more overripe stone fruit aromas than anything lemon, ginger or hops.

T- There is a subtle and fruity initial sweetness, and it definitely nails the dryness that I look for in a saison. However, something about the flavor seems off, but not off enough to completely ruin the experience. Ok, now I'm getting the ginger! There is a prevalent boozy flavor that isn't horrible, but it isn't well hidden or what I would expect from a saison. Furthermore, the wheat malt isn't pronounced enough, and isn't pulling its weight. It is too dominated by the boozy flavor, and a not appealing bitter ginger. There is some lemon there too, but the malt and the hops are too hidden. There are also notes of raisins, grappa, and brandy.

M- Again the wheat isn't pulling its weight, which is evidenced by the body being too thin and lacking smoothness. The carbonation is under-whelming as well. The dryness is there in the finish, and along with the ginger, bitter lemon peel, and modest hop presence, leaves a pleasant tingly, warming sensation, which evolves into a welcome cool and almost minty sensation.

O- I'd like to say this would pair well with sushi, but I think the heavy-handed booziness would overwhelm and hide some of the subtleties of the more delicate types of fish. It doesn't have the ultra refreshing character that I love about saisons, and it tastes weighed down by the alcohol. I have a feeling this is likely a symptom of the brew not being as fresh as it should be. I will look for and will appreciate a bottled on date in the future. This is the first Saranac High Peaks series that I've had, and, while I appreciate the effort, I think there is still room for more care in their craft. I am going to enjoy finishing this bomber, but I won't be purchasing it again. However, I would certainly give the other High Peaks a try, and I'll continue to drink Saranac regularly as a local, budget option.
Dec 15, 2013
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Reviewed by beerthulhu from New Jersey

2.76/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
A: Pale orange with a strong sense of macro-carbonation. Antique white frothy head is one inch and sits rather well. Soapy lace. Minium appeal.

S: Nose of light tart lemon, ginger spice, with flashes of sweet cinnamon and a light dry muskiness of grains.

T: Flavor was semi-dry lemon, ginger with a dash of cinnamon and musky grains that closely followed the nose. A bit stingent at first, lemon grass, fennel sweet, woodsy citrus and oranges, sour malt and candied fruit. Lightly dry, harsh, unpolished finish.

M: Syrupy, medium bodied, touch of sour caramel, acidic, lacks a defined crispness.

O: Overall average offering at best, im a pretty hard evaluater of saisons/farmhouses, love the style, and a hard one to replicate though there are a few good ones made here in the states. Look for a musky belgian yeast, crisp carbonation and spicy nature, this one was meh all around. Some alcohol glow. Grain base was rough, scratchy as well flavor, not particularly smooth or sharply defined.
Sep 17, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Cooker_stp from New York

Aug 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by wonothesane42 from New Jersey

Aug 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Satchboogie from Belgium

Jul 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Danimal1101 from New York

Jun 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by schaffer9252 from New York

Jun 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by civicm87 from New York

Jun 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by TriageStat from Pennsylvania

Jun 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Janeinma from Massachusetts

May 25, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by tommyguz from Pennsylvania

May 10, 2013
Photo of yesyouam
Reviewed by yesyouam from New York

3.57/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Saranac Lemon Ginger Saison is a very lively, hazy, amber ale with a soft, elastic, off white head that is kept in place with the constant bubbling. Lemon and ginger are apparent in the aroma, along with notes of lemongrass, apple and black pepper. It's bright. It's pretty full bodied and reasonably smooth... until the finish. The finish is a little harsh and acidic. Yes, it tastes like a Saison with lemon and ginger. The phenols are enough to be obvious, but not overpowering. The ginger flavor is full but it doesn't have that dirty taste. It almost seems like candied ginger, but without the sweetness. The aftertaste is a bit bitter and a bit sour. The longer it lingers, the more it tastes like apple. This beer is a little kooky, but there are no faults. It doesn't seem to be a challenge to drink 22 ounces of this.
May 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Proclarush from Maryland

Apr 23, 2013
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Reviewed by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - dark orangish yellow with a big, soft, white head that has good retention

S - belgian funk, lemon, spices

T - lemon, ginger, Belgian funk, apricot, peach, fruity esters, alcohol

M - smooth, well carbonated, medium bodied

This is a surprisingly intricate, complex, enjoyable beer from Saranac. It had solid depth and some really nice intricacies. I really enjoyed this beer.
Apr 01, 2013
Saranac High Peaks Lemon Ginger from Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 78 ratings