Saison Minuit
Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

Well that's a dark saison to say the least. Even a light brown head on it, 1/8". Aroma was such a hodgepodge of stuff, yeasty phenols, smoke, brown malt, more herb than spice rack. Overall that worked.

The mouthfeel and taste are the same hodgepodge, there's pepper, aged hops, chocolate, although quite understated. Tea like notes, dry almost cedar like quality to it.

Weird beer, but no off flavors, just a saison unlike anything ever besides Fantome Chocolate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On draught at Bailey's, served in an imperial pint, Saison Minuit is a dark, cola brown with a tan head leaving foamy lace.

Smell is sweet, tropical fruits. Good, identifiable saison esters, a touch of grape as well, nice.

Taste is really quite complex. It's got some of the quinine like minerality that I look for in a saison, some dry, herbal hops...but then there is a smoked malt character, not dominating, pleasantly integrated even, but surprising. A dusting of chocolate.

Mouthfeel is very dry, moderately carbonated, and medium light bodied.

Drinkability pretty high. This is an interesting, and well executed twist on a classically styled base saison. I'm impressed with their restraint, just a kiss of smoke provides texture without dominance. Worth seeking out.

 

Brown colored ale, thin light brown ring of head to it, not much lacing. Herbal spiciness and a dallop of roasty smoke to it.

Pepper, cocoa, chocolate. Mild spice from the pepper and 'vintage' hops. Substantial bitterness in a style I was not expecting to find such from. This is actually pretty complex, a saison sipper if you will. Wasn't really my cup of tea though. Didn't have any sourness, the chocolate was underplayed for my tastes. Seemed more like a dressed up brown ale. Would recommend for big saison fans, otherwise, probably not.