Saison Vieille
Brasserie Trois Dames

Nice sour with hint of sherry barrel. Too bad this brewery is no longer in business.

11.2 oz. bottle.
Moderate pour yields a 3/4 inch extremely light tan head over a hazy reddish amber body with some nice, sticky lacing. Nose of very slight funk, slight citrus, plenty of sherry oak, sour grapes, and some sort of spice; cloves? Taste mirrors nose at times as the aromas and flavors are changing as it warms. Grapefruit, for one, comes forward after a while, replacing what little funk there was, but the oak still stands firm. Wonderfully complex with a real nice mouthfeel. Overall, one worth seeking out. Cheers to the Swiss for another unique and complex offering!

an intriguing darker wild saison here, brewed with some chateau type malts in seems, a clearish medium copper color to it, darker than expected when i just see saison on the menu, aged in jerez barrels, which i had to look up to learn is a sherry. its a very complex beer, but kind of a curious mix of things. there is a light vinegar sourness to it evident in the nose, mature and wrapped in oak, but striking nevertheless, and with a little less of the funkiness i associate with so many beers from these guys there to support it. the sherry and the abbey type malt adds a cool richness to the base that is nice in the fall, subtle brown sugar, neutral oak, and breadiness, its substantial even with the acidity breaking down the body a bit. i get dried red apples, golden raisins, cider vinegar, cognac, and maybe a hint of maple, its interesting, but its a little disjointed. to me, this isnt nearly as compelling as so many of the other beers trois dames makes, although its hard to not admire it, something quite different in an increasingly crowded style. i can always count on them for that. rad to have this on tap in denver too, thanks goed zuur!

 

On tap into a tulip at the Avenue Pub in NOLA. The beer isn't currently on BA or on the brewery's website, but...it is discussed elsewhere and is (or at least used to be) distributed by Shelton Bros...regardless, I was happy to find it on tap. Pours a dark reddish copper with an initial thin crown of head that subsides quickly. Nose and taste are great: tart and leathery cherry and berries, apple vinegar, wine barrels, malt sugars. Lively mouthful, crisp finish with a little sour pucker. Really hit the spot.