Carolina Gold
Fonta Flora Brewery

A: Pours a very lightly hazy pale to medium golden yellow in color with moderate to heavy amounts of active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and moderate bright yellow + straw yellow + pale yellow colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall creamy fizzy foamy bright white head that fairly quickly reduces to a large patch of very slightly mottled thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Minimal amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Slightly stronger than moderate aromas of slightly funky barnyard along with moderate aromas of hay and spicy saison yeast. Moderate aromas of doughy + grainy + wheat malt with light to moderate amounts of rice adjuncts and minimal amounts of sweetness.. Light aromas of citrus/lemon + grassy + herbal hops.

T: Upfront there are moderate aromas of doughy + grainy + wheat malt with light to moderate amounts of rice adjuncts and minimal amounts of grainy sweetness. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of slightly funky barnyard as well as moderate flavors of hay and spicy saison yeast. Finally there are light flavors of citrus/lemon + grassy + herbal hops which impart a light amount of lingering bitterness.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly soft with a relatively clean finish.

O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol and a pleasantly light + soft mouthfeel. Definitely interesting as I think this is the first lagered saison that I have ever tried - there is something different about it versus a traditional saison but can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is. Very refreshing.

 

Apparently well carbonated, some of the contents of this twelve ounce can bursted out and over upon the venting. Fair due, the brew was at room temperature. The visual, now that the rest is in a clear Imperial pint glass, is of a thin yellow-amber with a big foamy white head that lasted seconds. The aroma is yeasty and starchy, but in a fresh way and not ordinarily bread-like. There's a real nice softness to the palate and more body than would be presumed. The taste isn't yeasty at all and it may be reminiscent of sour dough bread. It goes down very easily. Even folks that distain Saisons may find this one refreshing. This review will come in unfairly low, because of the look and smell factors. It's very nice in the two categories that matter more.

 

Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a bright golden color with a 1 inch head. Smell is mild, lemons, a touch of grains. Taste is of lemons, spices, grains, a touch of funkiness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall it ain't bad, but one is enough for me.

 

You know that old barn? The one your friend's parents have on their property but don't really use for anything, and it's kinda falling down but seems to be holding together pretty good all told.
Imagine you went in there one day right at dawn and as soon as you walked in you startled an old barn owl who flew across the space and knocked over a few old bags of aromatic rice spilling them everywhere from the loft.
And you're just standing there, in this lovely early morning golden light, illuminating this bleached wood and antique straw space filled with the smell of unused horse gear, musty straw, and richly aromatic rice. The air is crisp and the dust you're breathing in has an odd but pleasant funk to it.
That's this beer.
Absolute gusher for no discernible reason, cost me 1/3 of the beer.
Otherwise a pleasant, mild saison, with some ever so slightly funky character and a crisp body. Wouldn't pay the cost of admission again but could see enjoying it on tap in the future

 

 

No can date, lagered saisons are not common, so this could be interesting
Pours a large foamy bubbly head with lower retention, a little lacing, hazy lighter gold color... it's lagered so it should be clear, but it's a saison so not necessarily... not sure on the appearance

Nose is like a good French saison, nice grainy bready cracker malts, some wheat, and an earthy like grain, light lemony citrus, light fruit in general, little cereal grain, lemongrass, hint of floral hop

Taste starts with more grainy cereal doughy malt, wheat, more of that interesting light earthy character perhaps the rice, then quickly into lemony citrus and light fruity esters, a little lemongrass, crisp lager, mild peppery spicy phenol notes in the background, a little orange zest, hint of floral grassy hop and light bitterness, dry crisp finish with a bit of floral spicy hop bitterness

Mouth is med to a little lighter bod, spicy effervescent carbonation, drier finish

Overall a very nice enjoyable French saison, nice malt character, light yeast phenols and esters, good citrus, good bitterness, lagering adds a little softness and crisp bitterness, not sure how much I get the heritage rice, perhaps that mild earthy character although that might be the yeast, or it adds to the softness of the body, not sure, but still enjoyable

 

Appearance: Arrives golden colored with a slight chill haze: the head settles at two fingers and leaves a few streaks

Smell: Porridge aromas reminiscent of Cream of Rice; a little grainy and grassy

Taste: Slightly sweetened Cream of Rice mingles with the grainy tones; grassy and somewhat peppery, through the middle with a strong Saison yeast aspect to the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: Interesting concept to lager a Saison and brew it with rice, no less; I’m just not a fan of what the rice brings here

Enjoyed on tap at the Dive Bar tap takeover.

A - Poured into a tulip a chill haze pale straw hue with a thin white head that fades to leave light lacing and a thin blanket.

S - Aromas of clean crisp rice, good soft lightly sweet malts. Really pleasant lager notes.

T - Taste is similar to the nose with loads of slightly sweet rice and flakes, good sweeter malts. Really like the malt profile going on. Finish crisp.

M - Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, crisp, clean.

O - Overall this was a very solid lagered saison. Really like the rice notes.

Serving Type: on tap

 

 

This was an amazing saison, the best beer I’ve had for a while.

apples, cloves, pepper, a bit sour, great body and at a session abv.

Crisp, clean, creamy rice, nice lager, saison yeast, peppery notes, banana, some spice, hints of apple and pear, grainy malts, wheaty, earthy floral hops, smooth creamy medium plus body