Brett Barrel Fermented Dark Saison
Mad River Brewing Company

Big thanks goes out to mikesgroove for sharing this one with me the other night at his house during a small ticking session. Served from bottle into a Russian River -tion chalice. Poured red-orange with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, sour, funk, and fruit. The flavor was of sweet malt, funk, wheat, spices, and slight dark fruit. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. I have to be honest here, I am a big fan of adding Brett to Saisons. I had my first awhile back and it was awesome, this is no exception. The Brett funkiness blends really well with the saison spices present in this brew and really brings out the Brett. I was concerned on the aroma when I didn't get any of the spices that the saison aspect of this one was lost, but alas it shined through in the flavor. Really glad I got the opportunity to give this one a try!

much thanks goes out to my kind west coast friend for sending these my way. poured into a hfs glass.

Nice dark amber with minimal head and side lacing leads to a ruddy, lightly hazed look.

deep notes of oak and fig, light sourness, but not over the top in any way, really just nice and mellow. warming brings more balance to the profile with caramel malts and lots of dark fruit notes. very nice. clean with light aftertaste and a slightly coying feel.

overall a really solid ale, perhaps falls in line with a belgian dark.