Saison de Fete
Burning Sky Brewery

750 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.6%. Slightly hazy golden colour, moderate to small white head. Aroma of spices, saison yeast, dry white wine and oak. Dry and quite sour flavour with the same elements as the aroma, hints of white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar.

these guys are becoming one of my favorites, each time i have had a beer from them, its left me overwhelmed by its quality and uniqueness, and thats true again here, a wild saison done with caraway and ginger and some other spices, grains of paradise if i recall correctly, just super interesting beer. at its core, its a rustic and funky, mature, wood aged saison, done in wine barrels i believe, with a wonderful dryness, high effervescence, and really well layered grain base, wheaty and clean, but thats not all. the spices in here are awesome, work super well with the bretty fermentation profile and the bright acidity of the wine barrel treatment. where everyone wants to add fruit to this palate, these guys were smart to go in a different direction, with subtle earthy spiciness and incorporating a spicy hop profile as well. it has freshness from the hops, but its the wrinkle of caraway that most appeals to me, such an interesting characteristic in a beer like this, and its just so compatible, im surprised it doesnt end up in saison like this more. identifiable ginger here too, and a texture like drinking a cloud. this is one special beer, one of my favorites from burning sky so far, but they can do no wrong right now. i wish their beer was more available in the states. this is world class through and through...

A 330ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2018. Purchased a little while back from Trembling Madness in York. The label describes it as a festive saison brewed with noble hops and subtle spices. The ingredients include pink peppercorns, ginger, grains of paradise and caraway seeds.

A: Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A bright, hazy golden hue with fine suspended sediment and good carbonation. Produces a large head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding to a patchy surface layer.

S: Aroma of fruity saison yeast with hints of earthiness, mild pepper, faint anise, subdued spice, a touch of hay and vague grainy malt. Understated but nicely balanced.

T: Tastes of saison yeast with notes of earthiness, yeast esters, a hint of pepper, mild spice, faint gingery heat, subtle grass/hay and grainy malt. Very dry, followed by a delicate leafy bitterness upon swallowing.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with lively carbonation and great body for the style. Somewhat astringent; dries the palate. Aftertaste of earthiness, yeast esters, subtle spice notes and faint hay.

O: Lovely - while the character is much more subdued than the ingredient list might suggest, this comes across as an authentic saison. Looks good; shame about the head retention. Aroma and flavour are a truly integrated blend of yeast esters, earthiness and understated spice. Great body. Goes down like a dream - well worth sampling if you come across it.