Noble King
Jester King Brewery

Noble KingNoble King
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Jester King Brewery
 
Texas, United States
Style:
Saison
Ranked #519
ABV:
5.3%
Score:
88
Ranked #15,008
Avg:
3.91 | pDev: 11%
Reviews:
139
Ratings:
767
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 26, 2024
Added:
Nov 21, 2011
Wants:
  46
Gots:
  145
So what does this philosophy mean in terms of our latest batch of Noble King? Well, the beer initially surprised us — not in a good way. After being brewed in early March of 2015 and packaged by April 1st (somewhat appropriately), the beer had some off-aromas that we used words and phrases like “chlorine” and “shrimp shell” to describe. It was palatable beer, but not something we’d tie our reputation to and release. Rather than dumping it down the drain, we knew the beer would change with time because it’s alive and teeming with microbes that would take the beer down different paths over the long run. Now, after eight months since packaging, the beer has indeed changed to the point where we’re excited to release it! Among other attributes, the nose has become quite funky, and a nice, quenching acidity has developed.

This batch of Noble King won’t present like previous versions did at the time of release. The herbal hop aroma and relatively clean fermentation profile associated with younger Noble King is long gone. Funk and sourness are more prominent as mentioned. This batch is testament to one of the mantras we have around the brewery, which is “give it more time”. The mixed culture of microbes, not always, but often have a way of resolving a beer in the long run. This aspect of our beer making has resulted in our “new” batch of Noble King being released over nine months after it was brewed.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Mickt465:
Photo of Mickt465
Rated by Mickt465 from New Hampshire

4.02/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sep 02, 2019
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.96 by lakewy17 from New Hampshire

Jan 26, 2024
Photo of DefenCorps
Reviewed by DefenCorps from Oregon

4.06/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can, May 2023 version


The nose is prominently hoppy with a firm, lemony, earthy bite on a light straw malt base. There's a moderate yeast character, spicy and lightly fruity. Reminiscent of Taras Boulba, but with the Jester King water profile, an almost mineraly character, lends a distinct flavor. Quite enjoyable.
Jan 01, 2024
 
Rated: 3.5 by archero from Texas

Nov 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.49 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Jul 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by ElJacobian from Texas

Jul 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.13 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Jun 03, 2023
Photo of Tsar_Riga
Reviewed by Tsar_Riga from Minnesota

4.19/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Pours out pale orange, mostly transparent, fat white head fades to a persistent cap, and long ropes of thick lacing.

S - Some rubber, a bit of bandaid, with a strong lemon core, and yeasty spice wildness trails.

T - Lovely lemon fruit, solid funkiness, a bit of grapefruit through the middle, fading in the close to pith and tartness.

M - Moderate weight, decent carbonation, and fairly clean finish.

O - A delicious brew, delivering Saison notes while bringing some pleasant hop-driven accents.
Dec 23, 2022
Photo of Franziskaner
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri

3.94/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Straw yellow with a hazy complexion. There’s a quarter inch of dishwater white on top. There’s a light Hoppiness along with earthy light malt and yeast. I’m tasting light earthy malt and lightly spiced earthy yeast. The mouth is crisp and lightly to moderately carbonated.
Nov 25, 2022
 
Rated: 4.23 by GregSemenza from Connecticut

Nov 23, 2022
Photo of Taybeh
Reviewed by Taybeh from Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a 750 ml bottle into a Goose Island tulip, moderately hazy golden orange, nice one finger tight bright white bubbles. Fantastic construction, tasty ingredients that really shine through…yum. Nose includes some lemony sourness, light clove and even lighter peppery spiciness, as well as some bright floral notes and slightly green earthy citrusy hops. Moderate body and good liveliness. Controlled but pleasant funkiness.

Great news that they’re now distributing here. Looking forward to more of this.
Oct 10, 2022
Photo of gatornation
Reviewed by gatornation from Arizona

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a slight hazed golden color with a fresh white head . Smell is dank and wet wit grassy herbal notes . Taste has floral citrus notes mixed with spice and and musty noble hops ,grassy fruity and musty .
Oct 02, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Sep 23, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Aug 17, 2022
Photo of detgfrsh
Reviewed by detgfrsh from Texas

4.12/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a 750ml bottle produced September 2021. Pale orange color with a finger of fluffy white head. Belgian yeast smell. Medium body, slick feel. Light citrus flavor with a little sourness and a peppery finish. Nice!
Apr 24, 2022
 
Rated: 4.18 by o29 from Texas

Mar 26, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Mar 02, 2022
Photo of hman43
Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina

4.01/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Look: It pours golden and mostly clear. It has a white head. Head retention is good.

Smell: It has some sourness up front in the aroma. It has some lemon notes with some floral and spicy elements. There are some grainy sweet notes as well.

Taste: It has lemon and spicy flavors with moderate sourness up front. There are some grainy sweet notes with low levels of pepper.

Feel: It has a medium body with a dry finish.

Overall, a well crafted saison.
Jan 03, 2022
 
Rated: 3.84 by prototypic from Ohio

Jul 19, 2020
 
Rated: 2 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 16, 2020
Noble King from Jester King Brewery
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 767 ratings