The Saison Also Rises
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served in a chalice at the brewpub.

Bachelor Party-Palooza rolls on to another saison, this one harkening back to Lost Generation literature. Fair 'nuff. It pours a hazy straw-gold topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises mild biscuit, clove, light black pepper, and a hint of fruit medley (which includes light bits of lemon, orange, banana, and general stone fruit). The taste brings in more of the same, with the spices certainly present but thrust into the background. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a nearly drying finish. Overall, a generally solid saison, but one that just didn't do much for me.

 

 

 

I found this one to be quite generic, and it was my least favorite of the haymarket beers I sampled. not to say its a bad beer, just not as interesting and fun as some of the others. the appearance is fine, pale and hazy as it should be, but without as much head as I would like to see here. pilsener and light wheat malt notes on the nose, as well as a slight fruity element from the yeast, although I expected the yeast here to jump out at me with spice and funk, but it really falls short of those expectations. sort of a soapy taste and feel, with the yeast being a little washed out, and an herbal complex arising out of nowhere. just like their pils, the malts are wonderful, but I want more funk and spice here than I am getting. thicker body, creamy texture, expansive and well carbonated. a well made beer, but it didn't meet the criteria I look for in the saison genre.

 

 

 

 

This beer has a nice pale orange color. There is a thin white head which dissipates to a ring and a thin film of white foam . Minimal spotty lacing. The aroma is on the fruity side with a bit of cobwebby mustiness. It also is mildly peppery, but mostly just after it warms. The flavor is more spicy, less musty, bitter and a bit fruity. It is nice, but could use a bit more of the brett characater. The mouthfeel is very light and effervescent . There is good carbonation and it is pretty dry. Very nice.

Poured a dark orange/copper color with a solid white head.

The smell has a nice bit of spicy saison yeast notes and a touch of citrus hops.

The flavor starts out good with classic saison spices with some lemon pepper and coriander along with some light floral hop notes and a nice clean bitterness. As you drink it though it becomes a little bit to sweet, which for me really detracts for this style.

The mouthfeel is ok with good carbonation, but lacks the dryness I would expect for this style.

It started out strong, but the more I drank the more it felt under attenuated. If they could knock out some of the sweetness and make it a bit dryer it would be spot on. Still worth a try.

had on tap at haymarket. Poured into a tulip. Pours a very light and clear gold color that doesn't fully look like a saison

very good aromas of spices, citrus aromas and some bits of florals. Not too much depth either, but with good citrus based aromas

Medium bodied with a real good feel and solid flavors of citrus, spices, and oranges. The feel is very good and more what I expected from a saison

This is a good saison, but certainly not one of the best I've had. Good depth of flavor and nice feel, but the look and aromas are lacking a bit