Saison Imperiale - Belgian Farmhouse Ale
De Proefbrouwerij (bvba Andelot)

Saison Imperiale - Belgian Farmhouse AleSaison Imperiale - Belgian Farmhouse Ale
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From:
De Proefbrouwerij (bvba Andelot)
 
Belgium
Style:
Saison
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 10.5%
Reviews:
170
Ratings:
218
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 29, 2022
Added:
May 04, 2006
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  11
Brewmaster's Collection - Special Reserve
Mixed Fermentation - Saison De Flandres
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Ratings by Gmann:
Photo of Gmann
Reviewed by Gmann from New York

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Out of a 750ml corked and caged bottle. Pours a mud puddle brown color, plenty murky, with a nice semi dense head that left some lacing on the side of the glass. The aroma is of plums and raisins, some light nutmeg, flowery perfume, and brown sugar. Quite different saison aroma than I am use to. The taste of raisins and what I will call bitter figs are forefront and strong. Brown sugar runs throughout and is complimented by some bark spices. The Saison Imperiale is to saisons what BSDAs are to BSPAs, if that makes any sense. Significant malt body is fizzy carbonation; sweet & spicy, finishes a bit bitter. Quite the different saison. Pronounced aroma and flavor, I just not positive I am digging the flavor, at least not in a saison sort of way. Definitely worth a try as I haven't had a brew like this one before.
Feb 13, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.28 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Jan 29, 2022
Photo of mmilyko
Reviewed by mmilyko from Nevada

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Funny how some beers can fool you. Struggled to get the rubber cork out of the 750 ml bottle. Uninspiring "pop" when I finally got it out (might this be flat?). Barely a trace of a nice head or any bubbles for that matter (yeah, maybe flat). Smelled very boring, maybe even a little sour (not a sour guy). Not expecting much at this point. Rolled it over my tongue, swallowed, and surprise, tasted great. A different kind of Saison/Farmhouse for sure, but bottom line, a delicious and enjoyable brew. Who da thunk?
Sep 24, 2021
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.94/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Ok. I get it finally... after eight of their beers. These guys are a great enhancement of already the greatest brewing tradition. (Of course, that is my bias.)

Do as I did: go on their website and read their Philosophy which they digest down to "The Point" (it has its own menu.)

In a brewing culture as rich and varied as Belgium's, they actually might be multiplying that richness with their strategy: find good recipes and apply science and make the recipe better. The issue really is whether there is a marketing network to carry this enhanced quality to a newer and larger market. But Proef gets to Chicago and that is good enough for me.

As for this ale: interesting and different.
I like renditions that are different, but not radical. This ale says: "We amped the sugar for a saison, darkened the malt and reduced the hops. What do you think?" An intelligent question that deserves a more intelligent review that I'm about to give: I like its moderation in almost every respect. It even increases the alcohol by at least 1% for a saison... and I don't even notice until the bottle is done. I promise a longer review second time around.
Jul 10, 2019
 
Rated: 4.19 by MacStinson from Michigan

Sep 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.94 by mamaraza from Texas

Jan 21, 2017
 
Rated: 3.78 by aufie from Texas

May 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by AngusOg from North Carolina

Feb 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.43 by BirdsandHops from Oregon

Feb 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by South2NW from Oregon

Nov 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.26 by Skew from Oregon

Nov 08, 2015
Photo of pat61
Reviewed by pat61 from Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From a 750 ml bottle served in a craft pub glass.
A: Pours hazy chestnut with a lacy, persistent 2” white linen foam cap.
S: Ripe to slightly over-ripe fruit, plums, earthy hops, toast, alcohol, spice.
T: Fruit, light funk, plum and prune, darker malt flavors, subtle tartness, a hint of anise. M: Very creamy texture, medium body.
O: Darker than many saisons but the darker malt flavors play well with the yeast driven saison flavors.
Apr 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by bonkers from New Jersey

Dec 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by MammothTarantula from Colorado

Nov 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by akttr from Michigan

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by afsdan from Colorado

May 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Axnjxn from North Carolina

May 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Broke from Illinois

Jan 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by sloelco from California

Nov 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Kerrie from Michigan

Oct 15, 2013
Saison Imperiale - Belgian Farmhouse Ale from De Proefbrouwerij (bvba Andelot)
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 218 ratings