Nelson Saison - Single Hop Series No. 2
Weird Beard Brew Co.

A 500ml bottle with a BB of May 2014, so it's well out of date. I hope it's still in good condition. Picked up a while back from Trembling Madness in York. The label describes it as a collaborative effort with amateur/gypsy brewer Elusive Brewing, resulting in a saison hopped with Nelson Sauvin.

A: Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A rich, hazy orange-amber hue with plentiful fine sediment and lively carbonation. Produces a vast head of creamy white foam with good retention; this steadily reduces to settle as a thick surface layer. Slight lacing.

S: Aroma of fruity saison yeast with hints of subtle white grape, grass/hay, mild banana, white pepper, a touch of spice, earthiness, grain and faint stewed hops. Very nice - a classic character with a twist.

T: Tastes of fruity yeast esters and subtle hops with a lingering dry finish. Notes of mild banana, white pepper, faint clove, spice, earthiness, grass/hay, a twinge of white grape, husky grain and stewed hops. Perhaps a hint of cardboard lurking in the background. Well-attenuated, followed by a delicate bitterness and a prolonged yeasty character upon swallowing.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with spritzy carbonation and good body. Somewhat astringent, accompanied by an aftertaste of earthiness, fruity yeast, subtle spice and mild stewed hops.

O: Very nice; well-crafted and balanced. Goes down a treat. Looks great, while the aroma and flavour are a masterful blend of saison yeast notes, subtle aroma hops and grainy malt. Good body. It is possible that the hop character has faded due to the age of the bottle, but that doesn't prevent this from being a tasty brew. These guys know their stuff - nice and nicely done.