Icon Series: Texas Honey Saison
Saint Arnold Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honey, Bready, Lemon, Lime

Brewed with Burleson's wildflower honey, this lively, bright, pale yellow Saison boasts a creamy head with a pleasing floral and stone fruit aroma. Creamy and light bodied with a dry honey sweetness and a malty base with soft, bready undertones. The use of Lemondrop and Motueka hops bring a distinct lemony-lime citrus character with herbal and cordial-like qualities. The finish is a bit rustic, earthy, and yeasty. Texas Honey is true to style, and puts a very tasty twist on this classic.

As reviewed in BeerAdvocate magazine #116 (September 2016).

 

 

 

A: Pours a crystal clear golden/yellow color. A two finger white head forms and recedes gently. Light lace is left behind.
S: A substantial honey sweetness up front. A light phenolic, almost plastic aroma. More sweetness as this develops, and finishes with a grainy, biscuit aroma.
T: Like the nose, up front is all honey like sweetness. With a touch of phenolic, maybe fruity like esters, though nondescript, and is about the only thing I can say resembles what I am looking for in a Saison. Basically just sweet. With a grainy, and biscuit like malt finish.
M/O: A light body that is superbly clean, crisp, and effervescent. Which might be the best part of the beer. Not hard to drink at all, but not necessarily what I am looking for in a Saison. The pint is gone in no time, but not really looking to come back to this often.

I don't think this is much of a Saison. The yeast character is almost nonexistent, and what is there is mostly very light plastic like phenols. Mostly just honey like sweetness up front, with a grain/biscuit malt flavor. Which is nice for what its worth, just not what I want for the style.

I was expecting a stronger honey flavor, but it was mostly floral. It tastes strongly of flowers, with a little bit of hay and grass. Reminds me of a Texas meadow.

It's very bright with a good amount of hops. I would have liked more honey, but it was still an enjoyable drink. But not so drinkable I could slam back 5 or 6. I stopped at 2.

 

 

Poured from tap into tulip, 1/2 finger cream colored head, recedes rather quick to a small pool. Bright yellow, crystal clear in the glass. Smells of fruity Belgian yeast esters, and honey. Taste fruity up front followed up by honey and coriander. Not as spicy as most saisons and I think the lack of a dry finish affects the body here. Overall a solid saison

Poured a clear golden color with a 2 finger width foamy head. Head retention and lacing are both excellent. Aroma of Belgian yeast, honey and coriander. There is a little spice to the taste at first but hits you with a bigger honey taste. Some coriander and Belgian farmhouse taste at the end. Taste is a little watered down but tasty. Light bodied beer with moderate carbonation.