Brew-Off Brett Saison
West Sixth Brewing Company

With wild ale all the craze, Brettanomyces now runs amuck in the brewerhouse. But choosing which style to layer all that woodsy, wild, earthen character of the wild yeast upon can pose quite the challenge. With the help of local homebrewers, the choice of saison becomes a bit more clearer.

Pale straw and cast in a faint haze, Brew-Off Brett Saison swirls with a dainty foam necklace about the margins of the rim. Nearly still in its appearance, the scent is mildly of weathered oak, moss, pepper and the funk of cellar-like conditions. Gentle sweetness kisses the tongue with fresh bread, light honey and a soft cereal and sourdough character.

Sweetness quickly dissipates on the middle palate and invites a delicate fruitiness of grapefruit, pear and orange to add an element of interest in intrigue. Balanced with an extension of spicy aromas has the beer trailing with a pepper dominant taste of peppercorn, a hint of cumin, light clove and vinous woods.

Medium light in body, the beer's lack of carbonation not only holds back its taste but leaves the texutres dull and lifeless on the finish. Musty white wine joins the peppery finish for a quick aftertaste of musty wheat and damp burlap.