La Saison Oubliée
Top Rung Brewing Company

a strong saison aged extensively in a mix of french oak red wine barrels, really an ambitious beer for a little spot like this and very well executed, i was impressed with both ales we drank in here. just a bit of a deeper color than we usually see in the style, perhaps darkened some by the barrel treatment, active enough from the tap, and immediately appealing in the nose. not just the same old american made saison essentially belgian yeast strain fermented warm, there is a lot more going on in here, even on the ferment, which shows a little twang and a little funk to me, not quite rustic and old worldy, but more than the basic, and i appreciate that, even perhaps a trace brett element setting in, which could develop nicely in here if i am right. the oak makes it a little sweet, the booze is well hidden, and there is a nice fall spiciness to the whole thing, smartly built. i like the flavor a lot, not a ton of wine from the barrels, but plenty of oak, which softens the edges here and really works with the yeast to make this complex and authentic. off dry to finish, a little rich feeling with all the grain and the wood, but good depth and some cool synergies between the ingredients happening. i was pleasantly surprised by the beers in here, creative and well executed across the board it seems like. really cool take on a saison this one, festive and big, nuanced and delicious!