Demi-Tone
Jester King Brewery
- From:
- Jester King Brewery
- Texas, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Saison
Ranked #170 - ABV:
- 6.3%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #7,650 - Avg:
- 4.14 | pDev: 5.31%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 10
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 02, 2026
- Added:
- Jun 08, 2017
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 3
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Demi-Tone (blueberries) follows in our lineup of refermentations with spent fruit, which includes La Vie en Rose (raspberries), Detritivore (cherries), and Grim Harvest (blackberries). The result of refermenting on spent fruit is a more subtle fruit character and arguably more complexity in terms of the fermentation profile.
We’ve always been a little cautious when working with blueberries, as we’ve encountered acetic (vinegary) issues in the past, which we’ve always dumped down the drain. Some may recall our Blueberry FAIL of 2014, which resulted in a beer with some very harsh, sharp acidity. We’ve come a long way since our first attempt of working with blueberries, and we believe Demi-Tone is a really great expression of one of our core philosophies — allowing native yeast and bacteria to create interesting flavors and aromas through the fermentation of grains and fruit.
Demi-Tone was made by taking a young (1-2 month old) farmhouse ale brewed with well water, malted barley, malted wheat, oats, and hops, and refermenting it with the spent (or leftover) blueberries from Jester King Colour Five. It is unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% naturally conditioned. Demi-Tone is 6.3% alcohol by volume, 11 IBU, 3.6 pH, and has a finishing gravity of 1.001 (0.25 Plato). It was packaged on March 7th, 2017.
We’ve always been a little cautious when working with blueberries, as we’ve encountered acetic (vinegary) issues in the past, which we’ve always dumped down the drain. Some may recall our Blueberry FAIL of 2014, which resulted in a beer with some very harsh, sharp acidity. We’ve come a long way since our first attempt of working with blueberries, and we believe Demi-Tone is a really great expression of one of our core philosophies — allowing native yeast and bacteria to create interesting flavors and aromas through the fermentation of grains and fruit.
Demi-Tone was made by taking a young (1-2 month old) farmhouse ale brewed with well water, malted barley, malted wheat, oats, and hops, and refermenting it with the spent (or leftover) blueberries from Jester King Colour Five. It is unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% naturally conditioned. Demi-Tone is 6.3% alcohol by volume, 11 IBU, 3.6 pH, and has a finishing gravity of 1.001 (0.25 Plato). It was packaged on March 7th, 2017.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by champ103:
Reviewed by champ103 from Texas
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Pours ruby reddish color. A thin white head forms and recedes to a ring rather quickly. No lace to speak of.
S: Fruit is vibrant and aromatic. That moves back and forth from cherries, blueberries, other berries of coarse ha. I really like the aroma.
T: Lots of berries of all kinds. A hint of red wine like character, with savory sweet, slightly vinegary flavors. Which all mixes well. Hardly any acidic bite, I would enjoy just a touch more of that. Though that can also become overbearing if not done right as well. Overall, very enjoyable.
M/O: A bit lighter body than expected, and I would like the carbonation to be more effervescent and spritzy. Not too sweet, not too dry either. A nice fruit beer to drink.
This is more of a fruit beer, than a Saison or anything close to a Wild Ale. Though that is not as sexy of a style. So, its plopped in the ever growing catch all, Saison style. I don't get any yeast characteristics that I would associate with that however. Its just the general berry character is the show. Which is enjoyable and good. I have enjoyed their experiments with re fermenting the spent fruit from prior beers. La Vie En Rose is a particularly good example of that, and while I don't think this is exactly at that level. Still something I'm enjoying a lot.
Mar 26, 2023S: Fruit is vibrant and aromatic. That moves back and forth from cherries, blueberries, other berries of coarse ha. I really like the aroma.
T: Lots of berries of all kinds. A hint of red wine like character, with savory sweet, slightly vinegary flavors. Which all mixes well. Hardly any acidic bite, I would enjoy just a touch more of that. Though that can also become overbearing if not done right as well. Overall, very enjoyable.
M/O: A bit lighter body than expected, and I would like the carbonation to be more effervescent and spritzy. Not too sweet, not too dry either. A nice fruit beer to drink.
This is more of a fruit beer, than a Saison or anything close to a Wild Ale. Though that is not as sexy of a style. So, its plopped in the ever growing catch all, Saison style. I don't get any yeast characteristics that I would associate with that however. Its just the general berry character is the show. Which is enjoyable and good. I have enjoyed their experiments with re fermenting the spent fruit from prior beers. La Vie En Rose is a particularly good example of that, and while I don't think this is exactly at that level. Still something I'm enjoying a lot.
More User Ratings:
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.85/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
RB transfer
Mar 02, 2026
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Texas
3.3/5 rDev -20.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.3/5 rDev -20.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
16 fl oz can:
"Farmhouse beer refermented with Texas blueberries." 5.0% ABV.
Muted and a bit bland for a beer with this premise. The blueberries in particular don't pop, lacking punch and depth of flavour. Not brettanomyces-forward. Lacks saison-like spiciness.
Drinkable and an enjoyable brew, but just not dazzling in comparison to Jester King's finest farmhouse efforts.
Low B- / WORTHY
Jan 24, 2024"Farmhouse beer refermented with Texas blueberries." 5.0% ABV.
Muted and a bit bland for a beer with this premise. The blueberries in particular don't pop, lacking punch and depth of flavour. Not brettanomyces-forward. Lacks saison-like spiciness.
Drinkable and an enjoyable brew, but just not dazzling in comparison to Jester King's finest farmhouse efforts.
Low B- / WORTHY
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Batch #4. I had this on draft 3/27/23 @ the Hopleaf.
Mostly opaque purple/red appearance.
Small off-white head; no lacing.
Mildly tart blueberry & faint artisanal vinegar notes in the nose.
Medium thin mouthfeel.
Blueberry & artisanal vinegar flavors up front; tart lemon finish.
Challenging, but drinkable. Ultimately enjoyable.
Mar 29, 2023Mostly opaque purple/red appearance.
Small off-white head; no lacing.
Mildly tart blueberry & faint artisanal vinegar notes in the nose.
Medium thin mouthfeel.
Blueberry & artisanal vinegar flavors up front; tart lemon finish.
Challenging, but drinkable. Ultimately enjoyable.
Rated by zonker17 from Texas
4.16/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
4.16/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
2017-03-07 bottling. Light purple color on light base beer, still. Light funk on nose. Blueberry present on taste but light, mild sour, good balance.
Jul 02, 2022
Reviewed by Thomas_Wikman from Texas
4.42/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is Demitone batch #3 (May 2020), ABV 5.00%. It is referemented with spent blueberries. I love blueberries.
Look: semi-clear reddish purple, thin white head
Aroma: blueberries, lemon, hint of red wine
Flavor: The flavor is mildly tart blueberries, but I also believe I can taste other fruit flavors, cherry, lemon, and a little bit of red wine.
Body/Overall: It is light easy drinking, and thirst quenching.
Aug 11, 2021Look: semi-clear reddish purple, thin white head
Aroma: blueberries, lemon, hint of red wine
Flavor: The flavor is mildly tart blueberries, but I also believe I can taste other fruit flavors, cherry, lemon, and a little bit of red wine.
Body/Overall: It is light easy drinking, and thirst quenching.
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky
4.24/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The love/hate relationship that Jester King has with blueberries has them a little skittish as they give them a go in a classic sourish saison, but this time in a "spent" or leftover form.
Rusty mauve and with dark purple tones, the fine froth of Demi-Tone (Batch #2) brings a fruit filled scent of all-things berries with a savory undertone of balsamic. Moderate spices of peppercorn tingle the nose along with the rifeness of saddle leather and weathered woods. Sour candies that circulate around dark fruits off a taffy-like upstart in flavor.
The juiciness of blueberries resinate strongly on the middle palate along with their more nuanced blackberry, raspberry and cherry flavors. Red wine and light balsamic continue to add a savory layer of complexity before a balance of peppercorn, oak and leather bring balance to the candied maltiness and as a counterpart to the sourness.
Robust in taste, the medium light bodied beer offers a high degree of acidic refreshment for a taste of wine spritzers and light vinegar to strip all thirst and invigorate the senses. Its brief aftertaste of wine rot and balsamic has an extended afterglow of fermenting fruit for rusticity and charm.
Jan 30, 2019Rusty mauve and with dark purple tones, the fine froth of Demi-Tone (Batch #2) brings a fruit filled scent of all-things berries with a savory undertone of balsamic. Moderate spices of peppercorn tingle the nose along with the rifeness of saddle leather and weathered woods. Sour candies that circulate around dark fruits off a taffy-like upstart in flavor.
The juiciness of blueberries resinate strongly on the middle palate along with their more nuanced blackberry, raspberry and cherry flavors. Red wine and light balsamic continue to add a savory layer of complexity before a balance of peppercorn, oak and leather bring balance to the candied maltiness and as a counterpart to the sourness.
Robust in taste, the medium light bodied beer offers a high degree of acidic refreshment for a taste of wine spritzers and light vinegar to strip all thirst and invigorate the senses. Its brief aftertaste of wine rot and balsamic has an extended afterglow of fermenting fruit for rusticity and charm.
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