Sol Invictus
Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

Faintly chill hazed to shimmering gold-amber with a short head dying to a thin chain.

More like a Belgian golden--I'm thinking Duvel or Delirium--and maybe even into wit territory, it's got notes of toasty graham, mildly clovey phenol, and hints of licorice. There are even faint orange peel and coriander accents that I really don't find suitable to the listed style.

The smoothly slick medium-light body has a fine but minimal carbonation and finishes semi-dry with a substantial yet rounded heat.

This is not the saison you're looking for.

 

Surprisingly smooth and citrusy. Not offensive but not a standout, either. Enjoyable.

 

Reviewed from notes. Bottle grabbed as I left the brewery back in June of 2013. The appearance was a clear orange/amber body with a one finger white foamy head, some light lacing but slides down into the body. The smell had a slightly tart/spicy/floral all combined nicely and leaving a sort of herbal-ness to it. The taste had a mostly the same with some citrusy/malty thing goin’ on, tart aftertaste and a dry finish. The palate had a light to medium in body, came across somewhat sessionable. Carbonation is adequately felt for the style and for me. Overall, pretty nice "tart" saison, I could come back to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 oz. bottle poured into a snifter. This bottle is apparently old.

Appearance - Amber body with an ample white head and some chunks. Medium collar.

Smell - Caramel malt and a little yeastiness. Apple fruitiness. A little oxidized.

Taste - Very yeasty. Hefty caramel malt. A little bitter from the yeastiness. Slight apple fruitiness.

Mouthfeel - Medium heavy. Low carbonation. Bitter.

Overall - Old and not very exciting.

 

Presentation is pretty amazing. Poured into a stemware glass with a wide body. Massive off-white head, three fingers thick, like sea foam that won't go away. Clings immediately to the glass. The body of the beer is a deep amber gold color, hazed and showing good carbonation.

A pungent herbal aroma, unfortunately a bit reminiscent of floor cleaner for me. But to parse it out, there is a strong herbal aroma of sage and lemongrass, over top of a sweet orange and grapefruit aroma. Maybe a vague Saison yeast aroma right up front.

Oh god, this is a beast of a beer. I am immediately struck by how full bodied this beer is and how absolutely necessary that high carbonation is to lighten the body a little bit. Pretty dry finish for a big beer. Up front is a rich, full bodied sage and citrus beer, slightly sweet, but never heavy. Alcohol expresses itself on the swallow and at first comes across the palate kind of harshly. It smooths out and becomes more mellow. The mid palate is filled with a grainy, yeasty flavor, followed by a herbal aftertaste and finish.

I'm not really a fan of imperialized Saisons but this one was well crafted enough that I could finish the glass. I'm not sure what the point is of having such high abv beers. Is it really that cold in Michigan? I wouldn't buy this if I saw it again.

 

12 Fluid Ounce bottle
Served in a tulip glass
Bottled November 21, 2012

A - It is orange with golden highlights. I looks like an "invincible sun." It was topped with about an inch of off-white head.

S - I get some orange and bread. I also smell some coriander.

T - It tastes like an orange flavored saison. As the bottle indicates, it is made with orange peel. The orange seems to mask the spiciness of this beer. The spices come through more in the finish.

M - It is highly effervescent with a medium body.

O - It is a pleasant beer if you like orange flavor. It is the dominant scent and taste for me.

Bottle opened on 9.9.13

A - Pours a cloudy medium orange with a huge, foamy yellow head that fades slowly.

S - Very lemony and lots of heavy spices. Unique.

T - Lots of Belgian spice with a crisp lemony-citrus finish.

D - Tons of carbonation with a light body.

O - Heavy spices with lots of citrus.

 

Bottle (2012)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, Spartan213!

(Aged for ~1 year)

A clear dark amber. Moderately-sized, large white head that dies down fairly quickly. Streaky spiderwebs of lace left down the glass.

Interesting combination of caramel sweetness, moderate bread, and lots of sage character. It doesn't really turn vegetal at all, but the spice and herb notes come out nicely.

The flavor is similar, with sage, bread, and caramel sweetness combining. A touch of an alcohol presence. This would probably succeed more if there was a touch less of an alcohol presence.

Medium bodied with very high carbonation. It's probably too highly carbonated, especially on the first few gulps.

Tasty, but slightly flawed, in my opinion.

Bottle from Liam I believe. Served in a snifter.

A - White foam settles to a thin cap, solid collar, and minimal lace. Lightly hazed peach-colored body.

S - Lots of sage and peppery yeast here, with a note of citrus peel. Adjuncts and yeast rule the day, with very low malt sweetness; what's there is comprised of fairly neutral grain and bread flavors.

T - Taste is similar, albeit a tiny bit sweeter. Citrus peel recedes, allowing some grassy and hay-like hop character to peek through and join the heavy doses of sage and peppery farmhouse yeast. No alcohol to be found.

M - Dry, medium body, with zesty, crisp, and refreshing carbonation. A bit of alcohol warmth at this stage, but not excessively so for 8.5%.

D - I actually kind of enjoyed this. I'm glad I let it sit for a few months, as I imagine it may have been to heavy on the sage and spice when fresh. Slightly overcarbonated for my tastes, but one of the best Belgian offerings I've had from Kuhnhenn. I'd like to see them try their hand at making more Saisons.