Saison St. Clair
Griffin Claw Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This brew was served from the tap at the Griffin Claw Brewing Company taproom in Birmingham, Michigan. It arrived in a house goblet, glowing a bright shimmering orange coloring. It held a one finger head of soapy white bubbles, showing okay retention. Spots of lacing were left around the glass as it dissipated at a quicker pace. A thick haze cut clarity, but no sediment was noted. Carbonation appeared to be light. The aroma exhibited big and juicy Bretty sourness, mineral, chalked yeast dryness, pale and lightly wet and wheaty malts, and strawberry and pear fruitiness. With warmth came more of a toffee depth of sweetness to the grain bill, without the inherent darkness or roast, along with sweeter notes of booze, metallic iciness, raw honey, and floral pollens. Our first impression was that the tartness of the flavoring was to the level of your typical American wild ale, but with nice fruitiness and buttery warmth to match. As we sipped, the taste began with Bretty yeast puck, citric and floral hoppiness, syrupy butters, fresh apple and greened strawberry jam, tart raspberry fruitiness, pale malts, and dust. The middle came to a peak with black peppery booze, lemony juiciness, fruity tartness of black currant, metallic yeast, and more Bretty sourness. The finish wash came with enhanced booziness giving burn to the back of the throat, along with organic florals and vegetals, tin, sourdough breadiness, rosehip, light clovey spice, barnyard earthiness, straw, and gritty pale, pils, and crystal malt dirtiness. The aftertaste breathed of orange rind bitterness, tree bark, brown grassy funk, burnt butters, browned red apples, mineral, metallics, and fusel booze with warmth. The body was medium to full, and the carbonation was medium, but with solid foaminess. Each sip gave great slurp and smack, with pleasant cream, froth, and pop. The mouth was coated with oiliness, tingle from the booze, and eventually mild dryness to follow a prolonged period of salivation and satiation. The abv was appropriate, and the beer sipped very nicely.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was its flavoring. Here were received a beer that was super fresh on the one end, but also dank, tart, heavily Bretted, and fruity on the other. This made for a great mix, and a highly drinkable and approachable sour. As the beer warmed, however, the booze came out stronger and stronger. While this was, at times, appropriate, we can see why it might be a bit much for some on a warm summer’s day such as today. On the whole this is a refreshing, nicely sippable beer that will only pique your interest for what other glories are to come out of this new and exciting brewery.

 

My first Griffin Claw beer, served in a fancy goblet.

A- Looked great; was a clear golden color with excellent lacing and head retention. There was still a bit of foam left when I finished the glass.

S- Smelled sort of off to me; definitely had an earthy funk to it. I keep hearing that that's normal for saisons, but that's my first time ever smelling it, and I've had quite a few.

T- A strong sour taste, very astringent. Not as sweet as any saison I've had in the past.

M- Not too thin or thick; suited the beer.

Overall, I liked it, but I'm not sure I'd order it again. I prefer saisons more similar to Hennepin.