True Grit
Rainhard Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

True Grit looks like it's never had to lift a finger in its life: dainty, delicate lacing drapes around a clean, mostly clear, and extremely polished golden body. While the name doesn't fit the appearance sure does; Saison are beers of summer and this one is warm weather incarnate.

The aromas on these beers are a fun bunch. The style's distinguished yeast ensures that crisp pale malt is seasoned with distinctly peppery phenols, a virtual bouquet-garni with extra lavender, sage, lemon thyme, as well as a bounty of ripe fruits the likes of peach, pear, and green apple.

Hence why Saisons, generally speaking, are pretty easily recognized by the first couple sips. Dry cereal graininess recalls the style's farmhouse origins, while those soft tree fruit flavours conjure the orchard. A general earthiness afforded by the hops enhances that rustic, rural persona.

A beautiful thing about the Saison is its flexibility - the style lends itself to many varying interpretations - but True Grit captures what, in my opinion, is its true essence: a simple, rustic, hearty yet accessible quaff. Recall that this was the stuff traditionally served to over-worked, over-heated farm-hands...

Not that that applies to me - I've sat around on my ass this whole frigid winter day doing nothing. Still, if I'm enjoying it this much now imagine were the weather warm, the sun out, and I had actually broken a sweat! True Grit has that uncomplicated drinkability that in Belgium is never up for debate.

One of the highest compliments that can be paid to a brewer with regards to their Saison is that it could pass for a bonafide Belgian and True Grit could have fooled me. Granted, the yeast is due some credit, but it's not like you can just throw that into the fermenter and voila, job done. No. It takes some skill, which Mr. Rainhard continues to prove he has. I've yet to have a beer of his I didn't like.