Fireworks Saison
Craftsman Brewing Co.

 

 

Some very fruity esters balance out the spiciness of the yeast. Has some cidery qualities. Others at the table considered it "very Belgian", which has some truth. Made in California.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours a deep amber with a medium white head, leaving some solid lace.

S: Quite funky, smells like a ripe Brie with a bit of sweaty sock. Some fruit notes.

T: Bubblegum, brie, crystal-style malt. Some bitterness on the back end with a heavy malt component.

M: Medium to full-bodied, the beer does have some cloying sugar in the finish. Crisp at times, frothy carbonation.

O: A nice more rustic saison, I enjoyed trying this one out. Craftsman continues to make interesting beers.

On tap at Verdugo Bar in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a murky orange-brown with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Thin foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is slightly sour and tart and is of malt, grain, fruits, and some slightly funky aromas. Taste is much the same with a slight amount of funk on the finish. There is a mild spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

 

Brewed with Brettanomyces, according to the Blind Lady pub where this was on tap. For my taste, this is a textbook example of how to use brett in a beer. Full of deep fruity flavors with that indescribable tangy intrigue.

The bitterness is distinct, but under control. There is a browned malt richness followed by a lot of Belgian yeasty flavors and that bitter scratchiness. A touch of raspberry in the aroma, and a dark mushroomy scent in the nose.

A vast canvas of flavors with a truly interesting edginess. It makes me think of the Acorn Saison from Craftsman last year. A sort of dark papaya in a full-bodied mellow malt, but sharpened up with the bittery brett. Waves of flavor.

July 7, 2015 update: On tap at Stone Liberty Station. So grainy and yeasty. Bitter yeast with some dark wheat flavors. Plums and a touch of grapefruit. A more tart variety of Saison. Interesting and highly drinkable, and another intriguing brew from Craftsman.