Saison Station 16
Hopfenstark

a: very slight haze; with a fairly aggressive pour, a 1 finger finely pored fizzy white head that receded to a moderate, tight collar; nice lacing;

S: a little funk, but quite champagne-like; a little earthy;

T: a little funk up front; the middle is orange and lemon and those two flavors come through to the finish; finish also has a little spice; mild to moderate bitterness at the end that seemed more bitter due to the dryness and the spices;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; dry finish;

O: very interesting;

 

Hopfenstark "Station 16 (Seigle)"
on tap @ Station Ho.st, Montréal, QC on 6 Octobre 2014
$4.35 / 12 oz.

Notes: "Qualite, integrite, fraternite". Listed at 6.5% ABV. Hazy golden-orange with a brass cast. Visible particulate in suspension. Short, dense off-white head. The aroma expresses bready and grainy malt with a honeyish sweetness, soft fruit, and spicy and herbaceous notes. The flavor is similar with bread and grain, a hint of lemony acitiy, fruit (pear, banana, peach, citrus), and spicy and herbal notes (black pepper, clove, eucalyptus, wood, grass) - the rye comes through strong! Fairly short, dry, and moderately bitter and spicy/grassy finish. Medium bodied with an effervescent, fine-bubbled carbonation that becomes airy and somewhat creamy as it warms across the palate.

 

 

 

Service: Bottle
Bottled on: Aug-2015


A:
Pours a cloudy light honey color with a little finger-thick white foam that slowly drops to a film/ring. Meh retention; web-like lacing. (3.5)

S:
Tart, dusty, floral. Sweet and doughy with some banana, clove and floral yeast scents followed by the slightest rye/pepper aroma. (3.75)

T:
Rich and bread-like with a big fruity yeast profile, there is a dominant flower sweetness with some flour-like stickiness touch of residual sugars. (3.75)

M:
Medium light body with soft carbonation and a smooth finish. (3.5)

O:
Pretty good saison.
This is a pretty sweet saison with a stick-to-your-ribs doughiness from the yeast. I am a bigger fan of bone dry saisons, but this is a good beer regardless.
Pours alright without much gasping, ooo-ing or ahh-ing. The aroma is mainly sweet floral yeast, with a twinge of some sulfer. The flavor very much follows the nose. This may not be the saison we have come to expect, but it is a tasty version that really focuses on the yeast- more than hop-derived parts of the flavor.
Would have again, but I definitely know of other available saisons that I would choose before this one if faced with the decision. (3.75)