Captain Midnight
Bull & Bush Brewery

Consumed 10/4/2015 at the Bull & Bush Brewpub, said to be 2010 vintage. As a side note, I'm not sure what went on with the flavors here (maybe infection?), but my experience seems to be quite different from other BAs.

L: Black. A nice, solid black. Significant foamy tan head that didn't last, but moderate lacing throughout.

S: PEPPER up front, all caps intended. Spice dominates the scent. Very earthy with some hints of the yeast to come sneaking in there. Dark malt lingers in the background, but my goodness that pepper! That said, I liked the scent quite a lot.

T: The strong PEPPER I mentioned earlier? Still here! Following it is something odd, though. The yeast I'd detected in the nose comes out as yeasty funk, the tiniest bit sour in the best sense. The malt and light bitterness balance the brew and bring the flavors together quite nicely.

M: Not much to say here. Medium body, though the flavors make it feel a little heavier. Not very alcoholic in feeling.

O: Spicy, earthy, funky in this case. Very complex, and I feel I didn't pick up every subtlety this saison has to offer. It was my first of the style and did not disappoint, but I'd love to know where those funky yeast notes came from. Still, it was a treat.

 

 

 

2010 vintage on tap at bull and bush. pours jet black into a chalice with a just off white head only a quarter inch tall. smells a bit yeasty like a saison, but that is overpowered by really dark smokey malts, licorice, and fresh tobacco notes. flavor is similar, although the funky yeast does stay in the mix more so than in the aroma. licorice flavor is huge in this beer, and there is a mild candy sweetness to accompany it. the flavors work really well together in this beer, which is easily the darkest saison ive tasted. feel is great, well carbonated but very very smooth and down easy. its not as full bodied as it looks. overall another fantastic vintage selection from bull and bush. almost a totally new style of beer here.

edit: had probably the keg dregs of a newer batch last night, chunky with yeast in the glass, she said it had trouble pouring and i see that. really dug the yeasty tartness and the sting though, but reckon this beer has changed a bit since the last time they brewed it up.

 

On tap at the Bull and Bush and served in a small chalice type glass. Black color with a couple tan bubbles at the surface. Smells very roasty like a stout, not bad but doesn't smell like a saison at all. The taste is also very roasty but has a hint of aspirin, weird. This doesn't really taste like a saison at all but then again maybe black saison is a new style?

Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of a tan color. Slight retention and poor lacing. Smells of anise, spice, slight roasted malt, slight sweet malt, hint of hop, and a hint of citrus. Fits the style of a Saison / Farmhouse Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of strong spice, rich roasted malt, hint of coffee, slight citrus, and slight hops. Overall, lacking in appearance, but really good aroma, blend, and body.