Love Buzz Saison
Anchorage Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Belgian Saison
Ranked #54 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,065 - Avg:
- 4.27 | pDev: 9.6%
- Reviews:
- 235
- Ratings:
- From:
- Anchorage Brewing Company
- Alaska, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 161
- Gots
- 138
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Notes:
Ale brewed with Hobbs Family rose hips, peppercorns, and fresh orange peels. Dry-hopped in the barrel with Citra hops. Second fermentation in Pinot Noir barrels.
Reviews: 235
| Ratings: 840
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4.27/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12.7oz bottle corked and caged - batch #6. Opened 3-14-20.
1/4" white head fades to a ring and island of foam. Golden-amber colored saison, fairly opaque. Patchy lacing.
Vinous aroma, diesel fuel and a light barnyard funk. Floral. Tree fruit and grape must. Wine aroma blossoms midway through.
Light red wine / muted grape juice flavor followed by an earthy/herbal/leafy aged hop flavor. Peppery spice. Really enjoying the low key hop bitterness here mixed with the wine and spice flavors. Some tea-like qualities linger. Concord grape soda but dry.
Bright entry, low carbonation. Medium persistent hop bitterness and also tannic bitterness linger long in the dry finish.
Outstanding. Very unique in the flavor and aroma.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12.7oz bottle corked and caged - batch #6. Opened 3-14-20.
1/4" white head fades to a ring and island of foam. Golden-amber colored saison, fairly opaque. Patchy lacing.
Vinous aroma, diesel fuel and a light barnyard funk. Floral. Tree fruit and grape must. Wine aroma blossoms midway through.
Light red wine / muted grape juice flavor followed by an earthy/herbal/leafy aged hop flavor. Peppery spice. Really enjoying the low key hop bitterness here mixed with the wine and spice flavors. Some tea-like qualities linger. Concord grape soda but dry.
Bright entry, low carbonation. Medium persistent hop bitterness and also tannic bitterness linger long in the dry finish.
Outstanding. Very unique in the flavor and aroma.
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mushroomcloud from Texas, Mar 14, 2020
4.17/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
As I opened the cork, there was surprisingly no popping sound. It poured a clear amber color with no head, just some thin ring lace that quickly dissipated.
The aroma opens with funky and tart notes of Brett. Fruity aromas of peaches, tangerines, apples and lime, as well as oaky and vinous notes of grapes. There is an appealing floral aroma redolent of fresh roses throughout.
Complex tastes that open with funky and tart flavors of sour orange, tangerine and lime. Oaky and vinous with flavors of grape that are akin to a dry and acidic wine. Yet, despite the tartness, there is some bready malt and stone and orchard fruit sweetness in the middle palate. Moderate peppery yeasty spices are accompanied by a light earthy hops bitterness. The finish is very dry, cider like and almost lip puckering.
Medium bodied with a semi crisp mouthfeel owing to the tartness and zesty fruits. However, the carbonation is quite gentle, perhaps indicating flatness as evidenced by the lack of pop in the cork.
Complex, dynamic and interesting. It feels like a wine lover’s beer, yet has many other elements such as sweetness and bitterness. As mentioned, the beer felt a tad flat, affecting mouthfeel and head presence and retention. However, overall this was quite tasty.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
As I opened the cork, there was surprisingly no popping sound. It poured a clear amber color with no head, just some thin ring lace that quickly dissipated.
The aroma opens with funky and tart notes of Brett. Fruity aromas of peaches, tangerines, apples and lime, as well as oaky and vinous notes of grapes. There is an appealing floral aroma redolent of fresh roses throughout.
Complex tastes that open with funky and tart flavors of sour orange, tangerine and lime. Oaky and vinous with flavors of grape that are akin to a dry and acidic wine. Yet, despite the tartness, there is some bready malt and stone and orchard fruit sweetness in the middle palate. Moderate peppery yeasty spices are accompanied by a light earthy hops bitterness. The finish is very dry, cider like and almost lip puckering.
Medium bodied with a semi crisp mouthfeel owing to the tartness and zesty fruits. However, the carbonation is quite gentle, perhaps indicating flatness as evidenced by the lack of pop in the cork.
Complex, dynamic and interesting. It feels like a wine lover’s beer, yet has many other elements such as sweetness and bitterness. As mentioned, the beer felt a tad flat, affecting mouthfeel and head presence and retention. However, overall this was quite tasty.
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Gajo74 from New York, Feb 10, 2020
4.02/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a (very good looking) bottle into a snifter (would do a tulip but dont have one atm).
Look: Not much head. Deep amber in color. Some light carbonation visible upon pouring. When moving around in the glass, there is a little bit of lacing, but it goes away quickly. Not really any haze to speak of.
Smell: Strong, and very good smelling beer. Strong fruity, sweet smell, kind of like apples. Also has a bitter hop smell.
Taste: Sweet with fruity aroma with moderate bitterness, and they play quite nicely together. Some earthiness to it as well.
Feel: Moderate to light mouthfeel, with small carbonation bubbles.
Overall: Very tasty beer, nicely balanced, not too sweet, not too bitter.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a (very good looking) bottle into a snifter (would do a tulip but dont have one atm).
Look: Not much head. Deep amber in color. Some light carbonation visible upon pouring. When moving around in the glass, there is a little bit of lacing, but it goes away quickly. Not really any haze to speak of.
Smell: Strong, and very good smelling beer. Strong fruity, sweet smell, kind of like apples. Also has a bitter hop smell.
Taste: Sweet with fruity aroma with moderate bitterness, and they play quite nicely together. Some earthiness to it as well.
Feel: Moderate to light mouthfeel, with small carbonation bubbles.
Overall: Very tasty beer, nicely balanced, not too sweet, not too bitter.
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henrikb from Wisconsin, Feb 01, 2020
3.42/5 rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Batch #05, Nov 2016. Purchased on 4/20/19 at Trio in OBX for $16.99. Corked and caged. Poured into a white wine glass. 2.5 years old.
This beer was “triple-fermented.” In my opinion Anchorage spent way too much time and effort making a very average beer. The brewery should not advertise the Brett because its barely there. Disappointed in this beer that is very wine like. 3.25
A – I got a little “pop” when opening this one. Pours a cloudy brownish orange (might call it amber). Clarity improved on third pour after the beer warmed up. Almost flat. 4.0
S – Aromas of funk, lactic, sour cherry (faint), citrus rind and a hint of white wine. Very vinous. 3.75
T – Tart, faint fruit sweetness, earthiness, some bitterness – primarily in the finish. 3.25
MF – Medium light body with a semi-dry finish. Smooth but coating with zero carbonation feel. Lasting tartness on the palate. 3.25
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Batch #05, Nov 2016. Purchased on 4/20/19 at Trio in OBX for $16.99. Corked and caged. Poured into a white wine glass. 2.5 years old.
This beer was “triple-fermented.” In my opinion Anchorage spent way too much time and effort making a very average beer. The brewery should not advertise the Brett because its barely there. Disappointed in this beer that is very wine like. 3.25
A – I got a little “pop” when opening this one. Pours a cloudy brownish orange (might call it amber). Clarity improved on third pour after the beer warmed up. Almost flat. 4.0
S – Aromas of funk, lactic, sour cherry (faint), citrus rind and a hint of white wine. Very vinous. 3.75
T – Tart, faint fruit sweetness, earthiness, some bitterness – primarily in the finish. 3.25
MF – Medium light body with a semi-dry finish. Smooth but coating with zero carbonation feel. Lasting tartness on the palate. 3.25
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Sludgeman from District of Columbia, Apr 23, 2019
4/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle into a tulip. Bottled November 2016, so 2 years old.
A slightly watery dull orange body. Small white head is replenished by tiny streams of carbonation. Little in the way of lacing.
A wine & fruit aroma. Very mild spice hit.
Sour. Some apple, citrus, and whole fruit flavors. Quite bitter. Earthy, and mildly funky. There is a lot going on here. (definitely going to be a sipper) I'm not getting the flavors of the peppercorn or rose hips, though as it warms, the feel of the rose comes into play.
Mouth is between medium and full. Finish is quite bitter, with a more of a winy taste to it as it warms.
Overall, an interesting and complex drink. Glad to have tried it. Wishing I had someone to share it with, as 750ml is a bit much for me. It's also hard to find the base Saison in this drink. My first beer from Anchorage Brewing.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle into a tulip. Bottled November 2016, so 2 years old.
A slightly watery dull orange body. Small white head is replenished by tiny streams of carbonation. Little in the way of lacing.
A wine & fruit aroma. Very mild spice hit.
Sour. Some apple, citrus, and whole fruit flavors. Quite bitter. Earthy, and mildly funky. There is a lot going on here. (definitely going to be a sipper) I'm not getting the flavors of the peppercorn or rose hips, though as it warms, the feel of the rose comes into play.
Mouth is between medium and full. Finish is quite bitter, with a more of a winy taste to it as it warms.
Overall, an interesting and complex drink. Glad to have tried it. Wishing I had someone to share it with, as 750ml is a bit much for me. It's also hard to find the base Saison in this drink. My first beer from Anchorage Brewing.
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MikeWard from Pennsylvania, Nov 04, 2018
3.71/5 rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A- Pours an amber color that is ever so slightly hazed. The head is white, with wee tight bubbles that resembles the foam that collects on the side of a pond edge that has ever so disturbed current. The head doesn't really amount to anything, even with a hard pour, and really ever only becomes a ring around the top of the brew itself. The lacing however, is more impressive, with an even covering over the inside of my glass of small y-shaped ridges for the most part. Carbonation appears to be meek, with only very tiny columns rising in a subdued fashion.
S- Huge spiciness, in terms of fresh cut rose floralness, blended with big time tart raspberry/blackberry notes. I'm even getting some hints in the background of 60% dark chocolate....some milky sweetness alongside bittering cocoa nibs. This evolves as it gets air and I dare say that I detect A&W cream soda in the body of the aroma....very nice indeed! The finish is a blend of subtle wine barrel, yeasty funk, and vanilla smoothness. All over the board and I love it!
T- Whoa, is this tart/sour! The initial flavors are a mix of completely unripe raspberry, fermented Japanese plum, green apple, and uncooked cranberry! Once one gets past this and has another sip, there are underlying tones of oaked red wine, rose petals. As it warms and the palate becomes accustomed, all of the flavors become more melded and mellow, with the rose becoming more predominant and slightly bitter on the finish. After the swallow, I sense a slightly salted caramel finish....slightly boozy as well.
M/O- Medium bodied at best and the carbonation is severely mild....at first I thought it was my bottle but then discovered I'm not the only one who has had this experience....still it's probably a little flat-ish for my liking. The alcohol is reasonably hidden, however there are little spikes on the palate that remind me of the percentage that it is. This hit me a little hard at first, but shows nice balance and complexity and as I adjusted, it reminded me of a weaker version of a Belgian Sour, which isn't on my 'to do' list....however, I think I could enjoy this from time to time!
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look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A- Pours an amber color that is ever so slightly hazed. The head is white, with wee tight bubbles that resembles the foam that collects on the side of a pond edge that has ever so disturbed current. The head doesn't really amount to anything, even with a hard pour, and really ever only becomes a ring around the top of the brew itself. The lacing however, is more impressive, with an even covering over the inside of my glass of small y-shaped ridges for the most part. Carbonation appears to be meek, with only very tiny columns rising in a subdued fashion.
S- Huge spiciness, in terms of fresh cut rose floralness, blended with big time tart raspberry/blackberry notes. I'm even getting some hints in the background of 60% dark chocolate....some milky sweetness alongside bittering cocoa nibs. This evolves as it gets air and I dare say that I detect A&W cream soda in the body of the aroma....very nice indeed! The finish is a blend of subtle wine barrel, yeasty funk, and vanilla smoothness. All over the board and I love it!
T- Whoa, is this tart/sour! The initial flavors are a mix of completely unripe raspberry, fermented Japanese plum, green apple, and uncooked cranberry! Once one gets past this and has another sip, there are underlying tones of oaked red wine, rose petals. As it warms and the palate becomes accustomed, all of the flavors become more melded and mellow, with the rose becoming more predominant and slightly bitter on the finish. After the swallow, I sense a slightly salted caramel finish....slightly boozy as well.
M/O- Medium bodied at best and the carbonation is severely mild....at first I thought it was my bottle but then discovered I'm not the only one who has had this experience....still it's probably a little flat-ish for my liking. The alcohol is reasonably hidden, however there are little spikes on the palate that remind me of the percentage that it is. This hit me a little hard at first, but shows nice balance and complexity and as I adjusted, it reminded me of a weaker version of a Belgian Sour, which isn't on my 'to do' list....however, I think I could enjoy this from time to time!
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ChrisCage from Alberta (Canada), Jun 15, 2018
3.87/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A - No pop whatsoever when the cork was pulled. No carbonation and no lacing. Color is clear with a copper red colored pour.
S - Tart and spicy barnyard funk, a little spearmint on the nose.
T - Funky red wine skin, some peppery spice, tart fruitiness, and some oak.
M - Medium body with silky texture and very dry on the back of the tongue while the rest of the mouth salivates.
O - This bottle was totally flat. 'Will revisit this review with another bottle. Disappointing.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A - No pop whatsoever when the cork was pulled. No carbonation and no lacing. Color is clear with a copper red colored pour.
S - Tart and spicy barnyard funk, a little spearmint on the nose.
T - Funky red wine skin, some peppery spice, tart fruitiness, and some oak.
M - Medium body with silky texture and very dry on the back of the tongue while the rest of the mouth salivates.
O - This bottle was totally flat. 'Will revisit this review with another bottle. Disappointing.
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jzeilinger from Pennsylvania, Feb 05, 2018
1.28/5 rDev -70%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 1
Hazy burnt amber with a mild off-white head settling to a thin film leaving bumpy lace.
Smell is overly floral and herbal, like a puree of rose and lavender. Smells like my grandmas soap.
A distinct taste of red licorice is pummeled by an overabundance of vegetal flowers. This is seriously like biting into an insanely compacted and bitter bushel of flowers and soap. The aftertaste is fucking despicable and makes you instantly regret life.
How the fuck can people rate this so high!? This is an absolutely disgusting abomination that resembles nothing close to any style of beer whatsoever!
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look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 1
Hazy burnt amber with a mild off-white head settling to a thin film leaving bumpy lace.
Smell is overly floral and herbal, like a puree of rose and lavender. Smells like my grandmas soap.
A distinct taste of red licorice is pummeled by an overabundance of vegetal flowers. This is seriously like biting into an insanely compacted and bitter bushel of flowers and soap. The aftertaste is fucking despicable and makes you instantly regret life.
How the fuck can people rate this so high!? This is an absolutely disgusting abomination that resembles nothing close to any style of beer whatsoever!
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Sabtos from Ohio, Dec 29, 2017
3.83/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
First off, the bottle is beautiful, and the ingredients are really intriguing. Rose hips and peppercorns and Citra hops in a saison. Really intriguing. Overall, I felt the sour brett had a stronger effect than I anticipated. I was thinking "hmm, this is more straight sour and less of what I look for in saison." And I definitely picked up on the rose hips ... though I don't know that I'm a fan of this flavor's odd form of sweetness. The color was pretty and the flavors unusual. This one might come down to personal tastes, and it wasn't my personal favorite, though I still felt it was worth a try.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
First off, the bottle is beautiful, and the ingredients are really intriguing. Rose hips and peppercorns and Citra hops in a saison. Really intriguing. Overall, I felt the sour brett had a stronger effect than I anticipated. I was thinking "hmm, this is more straight sour and less of what I look for in saison." And I definitely picked up on the rose hips ... though I don't know that I'm a fan of this flavor's odd form of sweetness. The color was pretty and the flavors unusual. This one might come down to personal tastes, and it wasn't my personal favorite, though I still felt it was worth a try.
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braker649er from Washington, Nov 13, 2017
3.59/5 rDev -15.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
this was bottled December 2015. orange color. there is something in the smell that I cannot identify but I do not like. taste is a little sweet, bitter, but there is something smoky in the finish that i do not like. kind of like stale cigarettes. I do not pick up on the brett. I like the mouth feel. nice carbonation. I will admit that the flavor is complex. I loved the description and ingredients that went into it, but i just don't like the final product. I typically love aging in wine barrels, but something about this did not hit the mark. I am disappointed ed in this.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
this was bottled December 2015. orange color. there is something in the smell that I cannot identify but I do not like. taste is a little sweet, bitter, but there is something smoky in the finish that i do not like. kind of like stale cigarettes. I do not pick up on the brett. I like the mouth feel. nice carbonation. I will admit that the flavor is complex. I loved the description and ingredients that went into it, but i just don't like the final product. I typically love aging in wine barrels, but something about this did not hit the mark. I am disappointed ed in this.
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XicanoBeerRun from Texas, Oct 21, 2017
4.43/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a Brooklyn Brewery tulip glass.
A: Mildly hazy, rich gold in color. A finger’s worth of white head fades to foam, and has average visible carbonation.
S: Light tartness, grassy and barnyard and Brett musk. Some vinous character and oak woody dryness. Some juicy tart lemony citric acid. Yeasty with some biscuit malts as well.
T: Citric tartness, lemons, and yeasty barnyard with some mustiness. Wine barrels with enough oak and inherent tannins to really dry everything out. The Brettanomyces shows up then – farmhouse, horse blanket, and a touch of pineapple. Not particularly funky, but lends a very nice complexity. Grassy hay, light black pepper. Musty with lemons and orange rind hop bitterness with dry wine tannins in the hang.
M: A medium to light body for style, with a good amount of carbonation sensation. Alcohol presence is well-hidden.
O: Really, really enjoyable. Nicely complex and yet easily drinkable. The Brett may have really come out with another six months or so in the bottle. It does need to warm up a few degrees from refrigerator temperature for sure. I think I need to find myself another couple bottles of this one. Nicely done.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a Brooklyn Brewery tulip glass.
A: Mildly hazy, rich gold in color. A finger’s worth of white head fades to foam, and has average visible carbonation.
S: Light tartness, grassy and barnyard and Brett musk. Some vinous character and oak woody dryness. Some juicy tart lemony citric acid. Yeasty with some biscuit malts as well.
T: Citric tartness, lemons, and yeasty barnyard with some mustiness. Wine barrels with enough oak and inherent tannins to really dry everything out. The Brettanomyces shows up then – farmhouse, horse blanket, and a touch of pineapple. Not particularly funky, but lends a very nice complexity. Grassy hay, light black pepper. Musty with lemons and orange rind hop bitterness with dry wine tannins in the hang.
M: A medium to light body for style, with a good amount of carbonation sensation. Alcohol presence is well-hidden.
O: Really, really enjoyable. Nicely complex and yet easily drinkable. The Brett may have really come out with another six months or so in the bottle. It does need to warm up a few degrees from refrigerator temperature for sure. I think I need to find myself another couple bottles of this one. Nicely done.
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macrosmatic from Florida, Oct 08, 2017
4.5/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 4
A: Poured into a Duvel tulip to a deep gold with a slight reddish hue topped by a dense two finger off white head that retains well and leaves decent lacing
S: Smells of spicy yeast, slight tartness, and some nice barnyard funk. Slight grape skin as well.
T: Taste is slightly tart with the wine barrel leading the way. There is also some nice peppery spice and some citrus notes along with some nice barnyard funk notes. Swallow is another shot of tartness, spices, some funky oak and a little more wine influence.
M: This beer has a medium mouthfeel with carbonation that is just slightly prickly along with a drying finish. It tastes dry on the palate as well so the amount of residual sugar on this one is very low.
O: Overall this is a really great beer with some nice complexity and flavors. It's well balanced as well and the flavors play together well which makes this one a pleasure to drink. Very nice with some age on it and I'm sure these drink pretty well when fresh. Worth a try if you're into the style and don't mind them a little tart.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Batch 4
A: Poured into a Duvel tulip to a deep gold with a slight reddish hue topped by a dense two finger off white head that retains well and leaves decent lacing
S: Smells of spicy yeast, slight tartness, and some nice barnyard funk. Slight grape skin as well.
T: Taste is slightly tart with the wine barrel leading the way. There is also some nice peppery spice and some citrus notes along with some nice barnyard funk notes. Swallow is another shot of tartness, spices, some funky oak and a little more wine influence.
M: This beer has a medium mouthfeel with carbonation that is just slightly prickly along with a drying finish. It tastes dry on the palate as well so the amount of residual sugar on this one is very low.
O: Overall this is a really great beer with some nice complexity and flavors. It's well balanced as well and the flavors play together well which makes this one a pleasure to drink. Very nice with some age on it and I'm sure these drink pretty well when fresh. Worth a try if you're into the style and don't mind them a little tart.
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SHODriver from North Carolina, Aug 22, 2017
4.71/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Excellent beer. Balanced, refreshing hoppiness and crisp finish. Good body and full grain character. As I quaff this high toned liquid bread, I am transported to harvest time in Wallonia.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Excellent beer. Balanced, refreshing hoppiness and crisp finish. Good body and full grain character. As I quaff this high toned liquid bread, I am transported to harvest time in Wallonia.
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MAUEX_MFA from Alaska, Jun 17, 2017
4.38/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a tulip glass. Batch #4, bottled 12/2015, had 1/10/17.
Pours a bright golden, slightly orange color, mostly clear, with a 2-3 inch foamy head on an average pour, a good amount of foamy lacing, active carbonation. Smells of Citra hops, brett, Belgian yeast, wine, light peppercorn- more as it warms, light orange. The hops give it a kind of spearmint aroma. A little earthy. The taste opens with brett, then Belgian yeast, malt, Citra hops, peppercorn- more on the finish, the bitter of the orange peel, oak, wine- more as it warms, a little of the rose hips. Tart and sour up front, but not strongly so. A light hop bitterness on the finish. Dry, crisp, smooth, an excellent level of carbonation, a solid body.
A beautifully crafted beer. So many flavors and so much flavor, the add- ins are very distinct. I'll buy this anytime I see it, and you should too. Well worth a purchase.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a tulip glass. Batch #4, bottled 12/2015, had 1/10/17.
Pours a bright golden, slightly orange color, mostly clear, with a 2-3 inch foamy head on an average pour, a good amount of foamy lacing, active carbonation. Smells of Citra hops, brett, Belgian yeast, wine, light peppercorn- more as it warms, light orange. The hops give it a kind of spearmint aroma. A little earthy. The taste opens with brett, then Belgian yeast, malt, Citra hops, peppercorn- more on the finish, the bitter of the orange peel, oak, wine- more as it warms, a little of the rose hips. Tart and sour up front, but not strongly so. A light hop bitterness on the finish. Dry, crisp, smooth, an excellent level of carbonation, a solid body.
A beautifully crafted beer. So many flavors and so much flavor, the add- ins are very distinct. I'll buy this anytime I see it, and you should too. Well worth a purchase.
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stortore from Illinois, Jun 10, 2017
4.14/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The first time I had this it blew me away. Wasn't rating when I first had this. This is still a fantastic beer but there was a strange phenol and ethyl acetate character in this bottle. Maybe it was just an off batch. Because of that, I will revisit with more details next time I come across this.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The first time I had this it blew me away. Wasn't rating when I first had this. This is still a fantastic beer but there was a strange phenol and ethyl acetate character in this bottle. Maybe it was just an off batch. Because of that, I will revisit with more details next time I come across this.
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jfitzbrew from Vermont, Dec 28, 2016
3.69/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 750ml bottle into Chimay goblet.
L-Pale orange pour with thin off-white head.
S-Orange, pine, brett funk, slight woody notes.
T-Brett, orange peel, pepper, piney resin, woodiness in the finish.
F-Light with crisp carbonation. Very dry mouthfeel overall.
No significant malt flavors, but the orange peel and citra hops cut through a lot of the notes. More a bretty IPA than Saison.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 750ml bottle into Chimay goblet.
L-Pale orange pour with thin off-white head.
S-Orange, pine, brett funk, slight woody notes.
T-Brett, orange peel, pepper, piney resin, woodiness in the finish.
F-Light with crisp carbonation. Very dry mouthfeel overall.
No significant malt flavors, but the orange peel and citra hops cut through a lot of the notes. More a bretty IPA than Saison.
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REDAMI from Ohio, Nov 06, 2016
4.04/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This was good. Funk came through. Florals did as well. Nice mellow tartness. Would have liked it more had the phenol tadte not been so prevelant. Tasty but not sure i' imbibe again
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This was good. Funk came through. Florals did as well. Nice mellow tartness. Would have liked it more had the phenol tadte not been so prevelant. Tasty but not sure i' imbibe again
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brother_rebus from Maine, Oct 18, 2016
4.4/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Golden with a super fast flood of carbonation, including bubbles on the inside of the glass. Topped with 4 fingers of yellowish head.
Smells of Brett, pineapple, grapefruit pith, lemon, Belgian phenols and candy sugar.
Lightly sweet with Brett all the way. I get jam, hints of lemon jelly and a pithy bitterness. Slight tartness as well.
Medium body, high to little carbonation as it fades fast, a light syrup quality, light crispness, and a light tannic finish.
Got this one in Santa Rosa, CA just over a week ago. Drank at Sainte Hippolyte, Quebec, north of Montreal Sept 27th, 2016. Really well done brew. I'd heard it was good and didn't know what to expect, but really appreciate the Brett and overall uniqueness of the brew.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Golden with a super fast flood of carbonation, including bubbles on the inside of the glass. Topped with 4 fingers of yellowish head.
Smells of Brett, pineapple, grapefruit pith, lemon, Belgian phenols and candy sugar.
Lightly sweet with Brett all the way. I get jam, hints of lemon jelly and a pithy bitterness. Slight tartness as well.
Medium body, high to little carbonation as it fades fast, a light syrup quality, light crispness, and a light tannic finish.
Got this one in Santa Rosa, CA just over a week ago. Drank at Sainte Hippolyte, Quebec, north of Montreal Sept 27th, 2016. Really well done brew. I'd heard it was good and didn't know what to expect, but really appreciate the Brett and overall uniqueness of the brew.
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patre_tim from Thailand, Sep 28, 2016
3.92/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Orange tinted straw with with a fat finger of yellow-tinted white head. Oaky saison aroma. Light tasting with a definite red wine tinge and touch of wood notes. Slightly sweet mid palate, with a fairly dry, metallic aftertaste. Pretty solid.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Orange tinted straw with with a fat finger of yellow-tinted white head. Oaky saison aroma. Light tasting with a definite red wine tinge and touch of wood notes. Slightly sweet mid palate, with a fairly dry, metallic aftertaste. Pretty solid.
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thebeers from Pennsylvania, Aug 26, 2016
4.65/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
really beautiful looking beer, notes of tart apple, lemon, grass, oak, grape, zesty citrus, light spice, subtle funk ... its a really complex and delicate beer, pretty impressive. mouthfeel seems appropriate for the style light/medium body, super easy drinking and not a hint of booze.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
really beautiful looking beer, notes of tart apple, lemon, grass, oak, grape, zesty citrus, light spice, subtle funk ... its a really complex and delicate beer, pretty impressive. mouthfeel seems appropriate for the style light/medium body, super easy drinking and not a hint of booze.
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Hyptochrons from Massachusetts, Jul 19, 2016
4/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not a big sour guy but always willing to try some funky/sour/farmhouse type beers in the summer once I get burnt out on IPAs.
This beer was complex and interesting but also easy drinking and refreshing. The funkiness from the Brett was just enough for me and the wine barrel added a nice crisp taste on the end. A very enjoyable beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not a big sour guy but always willing to try some funky/sour/farmhouse type beers in the summer once I get burnt out on IPAs.
This beer was complex and interesting but also easy drinking and refreshing. The funkiness from the Brett was just enough for me and the wine barrel added a nice crisp taste on the end. A very enjoyable beer.
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mjpolzin from Wisconsin, Jul 18, 2016
4.1/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle into tulip glass; Batch #4, bottled in 12/2015. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass. Aromas of big tart lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel, citrus rind, peppercorn, apricot, pineapple, melon, red wine, hay, straw, leather, musty funk, herbal, floral, toasted oak, bread, light caramel/vanilla, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, spices, wine barrel, and light-moderate bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel, citrus rind, peppercorn, apricot, pineapple, melon, red wine, hay, straw, leather, musty funk, herbal, floral, toasted oak, bread, light caramel/vanilla, and yeast/oak earthiness. Large amount of peppery yeast/tannic oak spiciness and moderate tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel, citrus rind, peppercorn, apricot, pineapple, melon, red wine, hay, straw, leather, musty funk, herbal, floral, toasted oak, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, spices, wine barrel, and light-moderate bready malt flavors; with a great malt/tart/spiciness balance and zero astringent flavors after the finish. Good dryness from tart/spiciness as well. Medium-high carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, crisp, acidic/tannic/sticky, and lightly creamy/grainy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Brett saison. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, spices, wine barrel, and light-moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and easy to drink for the ABV. A very enjoyable offering.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle into tulip glass; Batch #4, bottled in 12/2015. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass. Aromas of big tart lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel, citrus rind, peppercorn, apricot, pineapple, melon, red wine, hay, straw, leather, musty funk, herbal, floral, toasted oak, bread, light caramel/vanilla, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, spices, wine barrel, and light-moderate bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel, citrus rind, peppercorn, apricot, pineapple, melon, red wine, hay, straw, leather, musty funk, herbal, floral, toasted oak, bread, light caramel/vanilla, and yeast/oak earthiness. Large amount of peppery yeast/tannic oak spiciness and moderate tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel, citrus rind, peppercorn, apricot, pineapple, melon, red wine, hay, straw, leather, musty funk, herbal, floral, toasted oak, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, spices, wine barrel, and light-moderate bready malt flavors; with a great malt/tart/spiciness balance and zero astringent flavors after the finish. Good dryness from tart/spiciness as well. Medium-high carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, crisp, acidic/tannic/sticky, and lightly creamy/grainy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Brett saison. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, spices, wine barrel, and light-moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and easy to drink for the ABV. A very enjoyable offering.
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superspak from Michigan, Jul 05, 2016
4.25/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours orange with a bit of haze. Small head that dissipated to a cape and ring around the glass. Citrusy like oak notes in the nose with a touch of sweetness and pepper spice. Lightly tart on the palate with dry finish. Really interesting notes of light brett and an herbal earthy note. Really refreshing and easy drinking for 8%.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours orange with a bit of haze. Small head that dissipated to a cape and ring around the glass. Citrusy like oak notes in the nose with a touch of sweetness and pepper spice. Lightly tart on the palate with dry finish. Really interesting notes of light brett and an herbal earthy note. Really refreshing and easy drinking for 8%.
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Gus_13 from Mississippi, Jun 20, 2016
3.81/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750ml, caged and corked bottle, part of a quartet of Anchorage Brewing's offerings to suddenly show up in limited quantities in Alberta last week.
This beer pours a hazy, medium copper amber colour, with three fingers of puffy, loosely foamy, and bubbly eggshell white head, which leaves some mountain valley stream vista lace around the glass as it slowly bleeds away.
It smells of musty and slightly funky yeast/bacterial infection, mixed red and white grapes, rainbow peppercorns, grainy and bready pale malt, subtle oak, aged lemon rind, and earthy, leafy, and floral hop bitters. The taste is gritty and grainy pale malt, just a hint of biscuity caramel sweetness, a mildly cheesy Brett funk, old musty sweaters, some dry vanilla-tinged oakiness, under attenuated red wine, further lemony fruit tartness, and some now heady leafy, piney, and floral green hoppiness.
The carbonation is quite low and thus it's hard to get a steady reading on the trusty ol' froth-o-meter, the body a decent middleweight, and sort of smooth, the funk and the hops both kind of inherently clumsy, it would appear. It finishes trending dry, in a particularly fruity manner, though fruit that is musty and old-seeming, in addition to crisp and fleshy.
Yeah, in my world, Brettanomyces would be one of the last things that would inspire any sort of 'love buzz', but to each their own, I suppose. With everything going on in this brew (the Brett, the red vinous barrel notes, the typically fearless Yankee hops), I pretty much forgot that it is a Saison, after all - however, with all the makeup having been applied here, it's kind of difficult to see this ol' girl for what she really is.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750ml, caged and corked bottle, part of a quartet of Anchorage Brewing's offerings to suddenly show up in limited quantities in Alberta last week.
This beer pours a hazy, medium copper amber colour, with three fingers of puffy, loosely foamy, and bubbly eggshell white head, which leaves some mountain valley stream vista lace around the glass as it slowly bleeds away.
It smells of musty and slightly funky yeast/bacterial infection, mixed red and white grapes, rainbow peppercorns, grainy and bready pale malt, subtle oak, aged lemon rind, and earthy, leafy, and floral hop bitters. The taste is gritty and grainy pale malt, just a hint of biscuity caramel sweetness, a mildly cheesy Brett funk, old musty sweaters, some dry vanilla-tinged oakiness, under attenuated red wine, further lemony fruit tartness, and some now heady leafy, piney, and floral green hoppiness.
The carbonation is quite low and thus it's hard to get a steady reading on the trusty ol' froth-o-meter, the body a decent middleweight, and sort of smooth, the funk and the hops both kind of inherently clumsy, it would appear. It finishes trending dry, in a particularly fruity manner, though fruit that is musty and old-seeming, in addition to crisp and fleshy.
Yeah, in my world, Brettanomyces would be one of the last things that would inspire any sort of 'love buzz', but to each their own, I suppose. With everything going on in this brew (the Brett, the red vinous barrel notes, the typically fearless Yankee hops), I pretty much forgot that it is a Saison, after all - however, with all the makeup having been applied here, it's kind of difficult to see this ol' girl for what she really is.
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biboergosum from Alberta (Canada), May 17, 2016
4.08/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a deep orange. Minimal head. It's a super interesting beer with some honey like sweetness, surprised that a beer with "buzz" in it doesn't have honey in it. Getting some Welch's grape juice on the finish. This is a very interesting and complex beer that I enjoyed, but I can't say that any of the flavors were my favorite.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a deep orange. Minimal head. It's a super interesting beer with some honey like sweetness, surprised that a beer with "buzz" in it doesn't have honey in it. Getting some Welch's grape juice on the finish. This is a very interesting and complex beer that I enjoyed, but I can't say that any of the flavors were my favorite.
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Sheppard from Virginia, May 09, 2016
Love Buzz Saison from Anchorage Brewing Company
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
840 ratings
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