Hop Ticket Dry Hopped Saison
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown

 

 

 

 

 

On-tap @ Nik's North Branch Tavern in North Branch, NJ.

Straw color and clear with a soft, creamy white head. Notes of melon and light tropical fruits with a steady earthiness to it. The combination is a bit odd. Flavor is well-balanced, bringing the malt sweetness together with the fruity and spicy hop character, although it's all a bit muted. Medium-light body that finishes dry and not very lively. I would have liked a little more body and effervescence, which would in turn allow the earth and funk to jump out and grab your attention.

 

 

64 oz growler poured into tulip
Got it at Kennett location, didn't say Hopt Ticket, but assuming it is the same beer given the ABV

A- A very slightly hazy golden straw color with a three finger white head.

S- Pineapple, faint honey dew, mild saison style funk, peppercorns and some pine.

T- Earthy, some wet grass, peppercorns, very mild funk,light fruits, hints of pineapple give the beer a nice lift.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A very middle of the road dry hopped saison, not tart or overly complex, but still a good saison for an Joe six pack beer drinker. If it was bottles I would buy it.

 

 

 

 

-shaker pint on tap.

A: Pale orange, no visible carbonation factor, with a one inch creamy white head that pitted on the surface with an average life expectancy. I like my saisons a bit more lively carbonation wise, but didn't ding it to much here solely because its a cosmetic thing, but feel it will suffer in the mouthful department. Thick creamy ring lacing.

S: Small funk, a bit disappointing actually with no real saison funk or hoppiness per name sake. Fairly weak.

T: Creamy, slightly funk of orange for flavor, bready malts. Clean, dry finish flowery pine bread.

M: Light to medium fullness, nice, easy feel, again no carbonation detection, prefer crispness per style, this was laid back, easy sipping.

O: Very approachable drinkability wise, those expecting a big hop or saison funk wallop may be a bit disappointed, this is more reserved in character and more of a casual drinker.

 

 

 

To the surprise of some, the more histsoric saison had many examples that were quite robust on the hopping side. And every once in a while, a modern brewer steps into that realm to not only appease the hop-heads but to pay homage to a recipe that's four-hundred years old as well.

Vctory's "Hop Ticket" Dry-Hopped Saison kicks off with a pilsner-like straw color, except with the overcast of unfiltered haze. Its wisping swath of foam catches the eye and draws in the senses with its lightly fruity upstart, its mildly vinous spice and a cork-like musty waft that's suggestive of oak-aged white wine. Its supple sweet taste is of grain, biscuit, honey and damp hay.

Although its sweetness proves fastly fleeting, the ale trends bubbly, dry and spicy as its taste evolves across the middle palate. Dried lemon, lime and orange peels all work in tandem with dehydrated melon and pineapple before the zing of white pepper, hops and playful acidity make their mark. Its peppery finish is laced with citrus peel, fresh grass clippings and soft pine resins as the hops outlast most other flavors.

Dry, crisp and clean in finish, the medium-bodied farmhouse ale retains a light skirt of sweetness and breadiess that supports the spices, fruit and effervescence well. Though its earth, winey and rustic flavors are quite muted compared to the historic versions. But Victory's modern adaptation splits the difference with a clean and refined flavor spread that trails with reserved wine, spice and straw.

 

Expected more hop aroma. Slightly funky, with a biscuity malt backbone and a hint of citrus.

Flavor is fairly watery, with a bit of spice, pepto funk, and muted citrus. The finish is moderately bitter/perfumey.

 

 

I had this on tap at Victory Brewpub in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Brew is a straw color and has a very dry and grassy hop flavor. There is little in the way of malt backbone - not enough to balance the hop flavor and is a bit too carbonated for me.