Velvet Ear
Trinity Brewing Company

 

 

This is only my 2nd from Trinity. But as a young brewer specializing in the most difficult tradition, they are doing a great job.

Like most the other reviewers of Velvet Ear, I get lots of foam and it sticks. Smells are typical saison; malty, yeasty, citrus, spicy. Tastes are the same, but not in the same order as the hops come on stronger and the subtleties of the yeast get pushed aside... particularly in the mouth and the finish. But, that sells beer and, actually, I hope they make this again... just with fewer bitter hops.

12.7 oz. Bottle

Poured into a Trillium glass a very nice hazy, golden yellow color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/foamy/creamy one-finger white head, which also leaves some thick sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, yeasty, some nice spice note, coriander, slightly peppery, with some nice lemon. The taste is very nice, malty, yeasty, slightly spicy, coriander, nice lemon note. Medium body, ABV hidden very well, slight bitter finish. Overall, this is a very nice brew, surprised me.

From a colorful bottle. Pours pale straw and cloudy under a white cap of fizzy head.

Nose is very inviting and plays well to the tune of herbal and citrus hops on top of bready malt and lightly funky yeast. Note of mild lemon zest, peppercorns, sweet grain, clementine juice, and wildflowers.

The flavor is not velvety, but it is wonderfully balanced and provides plenty of intrigue. I enjoy the light acidity and malty flavors. Bitterness is higher than typical for a traditional Saison (is there such a thing?), but it is quite nice in this context. I think the hops meld in a very complimentary way.

Overall: This is the first Trinity beer I have had since their first year of production. I must say that they have grown up. Some of their original beers pushed boundaries which probably didn't need to be pushed (I tasted a bottle of one of the original Old Growth batches and it had a stronger acetone aroma than anything else I have ever smelled other than straight nail polish remover). This beer is quite serious and rather mature. Very nice.

Great looking Saison. Poured from a 12.7 oz bottle into a pint glass. Big delicately bubbly white head with excellent retention. Thick bands of bubbly lacing on the glass. First pour is a clear, bright gold color. Second pour is a hazy dull gold color. Aroma is all Saison, funky, musty yeast, a little lemon zest, nice and tart. Flavor is more of the same. tart, funky, musty yeast flavor. A little lemon zest but there is also a non-Saison-like somewhat hoppy finish. Mouthfeel is crisp with a nice tartness. The hoppiness is different, but not unwelcome. THis is a somewhat different Saison, but a Saison all the way!!!

Clear light golden color with a tall coarse foam in the Faust stein. Light body. Hugely aromatic in a way that's hard for me to describe except. Grainy with Cheerios, even a dry fermenting smell. Spritzy, pleasant mouthfeel.

Pear skins and a long Cream of Wheat taste, only dry. Winey and powerfully flavored with yeast. An interesting Saison that takes a walk on the wild side. From the 375 ml bottle purchased at Grapevine Liquor on Monaco in Denver.

 

Hazy, lemon yellow body; light, creamy white head; sheets of foam down the glass. Exquisite lemon and pepper aroma. Strong farmhouse flavor all-around; white and black pepper. Medium body; coarse and dry on the palate.

A dry-hopped naked saison (per the brewery's board -- whatever that description means). A bold and flavorful local Colorado Springs Samson from its premier brewer of farmhouse and Samson beers.