Le Printemps
Door County Brewing Co.

 

Pours a somewhat hazy gold color. Effervescent with lots of floaties in the beer. Thick frothy white head dissipates slowly but not completely. Some sticky white lacing is left on the sides of the glass as the beer is consumed.

Smell has notes of spice, yeast, some mild citrus aromas and lemongrass.

Taste has notes of spice, some farmyard funk, a light lemony citrus note with some grassy notes. The flavors are light and airy. Grainy malt backbone is present providing some depth. Semi-bitter finish.

Feel is medium bodied. Lively carbonation. Dry finish.

Overall a very nice saison - lively, bright and fresh - perfectly embodying le printemps!

 

 

A: Pours a hazy pale yellow in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass and faint lemon yellow colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall dense fizzy foamy bright white head that reduces to a medium to large sized patch of medium thick film surrounded by a large patch of thin film covering the remainder of the surface of the beer and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of stone fruit/apricot, slightly earthy funkiness, and spicy saison yeast. Hints of herbal hop aromas.

T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of cereal grain + pale malts with minimal amounts of sweetness. That is followed by moderate flavors of slightly earthy funkiness with a light to moderate presence of hay. Moderate flavors of spicy saison yeast + stone fruit/apricot and a hint of herbal hops. Light amounts of bitterness towards the finish but the lingering flavor is that of the spicy saison yeast.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Crisp with a light amount of dryness in the finish.

O: Easy to drink and enjoyable - well constructed with well hidden alcohol. Like the herbal notes in addition to the stronger saison yeast flavors, nice that it is not as sweet as some other American saisons.

 

 

 

Bright saturated orange, rocky head, halo of crazy lace around the glass edges.

Aromas of apricot, white pepper, pleasant fruitiness.

Taste is lightly tart apricot, fruity esters, earthy yeast and a light phenolic bitterness in the background.
Well balanced, light crisp and clean. Very quenching and drinkable, had 3 easily. It's well structured, with a lean body and ample carbonation. Dry and attenuated, not overly sweet or phenolic like many American Saisons.

I like this seasonal Saison concept, even though Fantome did it before, and likely others. Still it's an admirable idea.

 

 

Poured 12oz bottle into snifter. It is a lighter peach color that is cloudy and produces a white 2 finger head. Decent retention and some lacing. Aroma is quite herbal and yeasty. The flavor is a bit odd because you have some of the classic farmhouse, but it really is leafy and herbal dominant. There are notes of the yeast, bubblegum, and from what I can tell, mint. It's not off-putting, but all I could think of was minty bubblegum. Light feel with soft carbonation and a dry finish. Another interesting farmhouse.