Saison
Hilliard's Beer

SaisonSaison
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From:
Hilliard's Beer
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
6%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.72 | pDev: 11.83%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
104
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 26, 2016
Added:
Dec 25, 2011
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  6
No description / notes.
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Ratings by searsclone:
Photo of searsclone
Reviewed by searsclone from Arizona

4.38/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
poured from a can into an imperial pint glass. hazy butterscotch with a puffy white head that lasts

smell is bread and sour fruit and a touch of bubble gum

taste is very balanced sweet and sour fruit followed by bread

mouthfeel is very sharp at 1st, almost burns the lips, then very chewy and creamy with a dry finish

overall, I think this one is great
Oct 03, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.09 by Superheatnsubcool from Washington

Sep 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.65 by aufie from Texas

May 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.64 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Jan 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.8 by unclekeith from Alaska

Jan 10, 2016
Photo of RickS95
Reviewed by RickS95 from Indiana

3.47/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm torn between the macro looking liquid and the amazing head. The beer itself looks like something you get from a case of 30 for $13.99. It's straw yellow and mostly clear. The only thing that prevents it from being Bud's brother is a bit of chill haze. The head, however, is many fingers thick. Bright white bubbles create a multi-layered head of different sizes and textures. Thick sticky lace.

Hard to tell it's a saison from the smell, but it distinguishes itself from also ranks with a crisp cereal grain nose with a bit if citrusy lemon. Smells like a cracker with a slice of lemon on top.

This seems to have some pale malts and a bit of Pilsner malt as well. Fortunately, the lemony citrus bits counter the crappy malt bill generating something that's drinkable.

There isn't as much funkiness as I would have guessed from a saison and there isn't much tartness either. The acidy lemony citrus makes this beer what it is. There is some bitterness but the acid cuts right through it. Fairly effervescent and crisp finish to scrape the palate clean.

As much as I dislike Pilsner malts, this beer mostly works. The yeast is the star here.
Oct 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by EdwardAbbey from Washington

Sep 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by headlessparrot from Canada (ON)

Aug 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.46 by ldhughes3 from Louisiana

Jul 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.44 by gouettn from Washington

Jun 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by nathanmiller from New York

Jun 18, 2015
Photo of Hammerhead18
Rated by Hammerhead18 from Washington

4.68/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.75
Amazing beer. Great taste. Good feel.
Jan 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Laklimell from Washington

Nov 03, 2014
Photo of marcellaproust
Reviewed by marcellaproust from Washington

2.74/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
I first tried Hilliard's out on a Road Dawgs tour of Seattle breweries, even though I am a resident and not tourist. I recall liking the pils but nothing else. I've not had any since (two years) because Hilliard's tends to be expensive and there's just too much good PNW! But, deciding to treat myself to one of my favorite styles, I bought a four pint pack. Why, why? The nose was AWOL. The appearance: poured into a glass it's nearly as pale as a run of the mill lager. As for taste: I get it when the brewers state that this beer is made in the old way, without addition of spices but as far as I'm concerned, all the more pity for it. This beer's body and mouthfeel thin; great carbonation, and little body and nearly imperceptible aftertaste. If anything, it has the beginnings of what wants to be a saison but ends up metallic and tinny. There's no bitterness, but no smoothness, nothing substantial enough that I can bring an adjective to. A wastes of $ and caloiries.
Oct 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BabaBeer from California

Oct 03, 2014
Photo of macpapi
Reviewed by macpapi from Oregon

3.77/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a transparent straw-like yellow color with a decent foamy head. Smells of light wheat with hints of lemon citrus and a small hint of pepper or clove. Taste is biting yet fruity. There is a dry peppery taste accompanied by citrus--mainly lemon--flavor and the sweet taste of Belgian sugar and yeast. The beer is light bodied and pretty bubbly in the mouth. There is a bit of hop presence as well. Overall this is a pretty drinkable beer that represents the style pretty well. There is quite a bit going on here but nothing too overwhelming. A nice beer.
Sep 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Elicoleman from Colorado

Sep 01, 2014
Photo of Treyliff
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

3.89/5  rDev +4.6%
Can to tulip glass

A- pours a hazy pale yellow color with a two-finger foamy white head that retains long after the pour, with bubbles continuously shooting to the top 3.75

S- spicy & yeasty aroma overall, also picking up some crisp wheat and lemon grass, sourdough aroma malt & earth 3.75

T- slightly tangy lemon peel flavor up front, quickly followed by crisp wheat with some spicy & slightly phenolic yeast, earthy and must on the finish with lingers of more spicy notes 4

M- medium body with moderate-but-spritzy carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that fills the mouth, eventually finishing crisp and dry 4

O- a nice saison that packs enough flavor to avoid the blandness of many saisons out there, worth a try! 3.75
Aug 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

Aug 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by ThirstyDutchman from Canada (BC)

Aug 12, 2014
Saison from Hilliard's Beer
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 104 ratings