XXXIV Poperinge Saison
Wicked Weed Brewing

3.45/5: More of a new-school IPA than a saison to me; still works, though

 

 

My Poperinge had no number listed from of it and is only 7.3 % but didn't want to add another one. Pours a hazy peach color with a nice white head that laces well

Aroma is nice malty, earthy saison notes with a good dose of hops.

Taste is on par with the nose malty earthy malt, deep rope fruit notes, mingled with good dose of hops earthy, pine and citrus mingled.

Mouthfeel is big for saison heavy medium but lightened by the ample carbonation.

Overall very nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Growler from the source.

This was on the menu as Poperinge Saison at 7.4%, but has the exact same description as XXXIV, so I figure they're still tweaking this and/or it's becoming a regular.

Foggy orange color with a large whipped-looking head extending above the rim after a fairly hard pour before slowly settling to a thick, rocky covering. Aromas of flowers, moderate funky yeast, citrus perfume, and green, piny spice over a little soft malt. Flavor has that "dark green" Simcoe-ish hop quality at the forefront leading to apricot, grapefruit, berries, and herbal/grassy hops. The malt pokes through here and there - mostly in the aftertaste - but, this certainly deserves the Belgian IPA designation. Medium bodied, drying, and surprisingly not overly bitter. I think, at least from the growler, it could be a little crisper and not linger quite so long on the tongue. It's meant to be hoppy though, even if it means losing most of the Saison qualities. I enjoyed it a little more on tap (or maybe I was drunker?), but this was a worthy growler fill for sure.

Poured out of a growler...The color is golden orange with a large billowy head. The big foam pile takes a little while to settle. Smell is white wine soaked flowers, mystery fruit, stinky summer aromas, all slightly tart around the edges. Taste is loaded with citrus rind bitterness, fruit/berries/apricots and peach that's not ripe yet.... Aggressively hopped beer with juuust enough grainy, sweet, bready goodness holding it together. Dry beer, well and evenly carbonated...resinous.

 

 

Poured on-tap at the brewery and served in a shaker pint, the beer is a hazy, yellow-caramel coloring, with a clingy, bright white head. Nose of tangy berry sweetness, subtle farmhouse funk, and baked bread. Flavors are tangy and funky forward, with a berry sweet and tangy caramel note, cracker backbone, and floral/herbal highlights. Light and crisp in mouth, with an herbal and hoppy aftertaste. The finish is light and crisp. Great warm weather brew!