On the Road Again
Mikerphone Brewing

Burnt orange cloudy body with big white foam head. Lot going on in the smell with aromas of mango, apricot, orange, dry hops, flower, belgian yeast, pepper and funk. Taste is cleaner, but not as complex, with the flowers and fruit being dry and fresh and pairing well with the belgian yeast and funk. Surprisingly carbonated, but not overly so, good basic saison feel with enhanced bready fluff in the finish

 

Batch 012 tasted in a Spiegelau saison glass from a 750 mL bottle on May 7, 2017.

 

 

Dark golden to light amber in color. Two fingers of white foam with excellent retention and lacing. Aroma is excellent. Spicy, grassy, herbal, clove. The taste follows with strong grassy, herbal, and spicy/clove notes. Lesser notes of melon, tropical fruit. Medium light body, moderate carbonation, and a balanced finish. I'm impressed, this is an excellent brew and doesn't get much of the Mikerphone hype.

 

 

 

 

 

Draft at O's Tap.
Pale pastel yellow, hazy in the glass with an ample dollop of lasting foam on top.
Lacing in drippy concentric rings, surface coverage never breaks. Looks authentically Belgian.

Aroma is good, I expected to like it more based on the unique dry hop choice.
Lightly fruity apricot yeast esters and white pepper seem to dominate.

Taste is pleasantly fruity with a light natural tartness, apricot mainly, mild banana and peripheral citrus zest. Creamy smooth feel, light wheaty notes and a mild peppery bitterness in the dry aftertaste. Clean and smooth. Very nice overall, will seek out more to enjoy and evaluate further.

 

 

750ml
$8.99
Open Bottle - Tinley Park

Travelin' Man is an apricot libation with a bit of tarnish while fading to golden in the neck of the glass. Enough haze runs throughout that it makes spying through the glass impossible. The pure white head grows to a couple fingers in height rather easily on the pour and though it settles at a thin cap it does leave impressive, sticky lace down the glass. Lace that will have to be scrubbed free. A fine lookin' beer if I do say so myself.

The nose is pretty wild. I can't recall exactly what Enigma hops are but I remember hearing the name a few times. If this nose is any indication they're pungent, ripe, bold, and delicate all at once. There's a pungent funkiness off the bat that reminds me of parmesan rind. Sweet mango and peppery underripe mango both make an appearence with a squeeze of apricot and a slice of pineapple all of which are ripe and bold. The delicateness comes from an interesting white grape vinous note along the lines of Hallertau Blanc. Banana esters rise through the dry hopping and a sugar cookie maltiness wraps it all up. Very unique. Mouthwatering, in fact.

At first I imagine that the flavor profile can't quite reach the depth of the nose. With each successive drink I come to the realization that it can, and does. The tropical fruitiness mentioned above is first to pop. Banana and soft spice esters join in the middle along with that funky dankiness, although that has taken on more dank and less cheese. The white grape picks up on the swallow and the entire wave of flavor washes over everything. Behind it all is a softly sweet sugar cookie malt. I am highly impressed.

The body is light and effervescent, as it should be. The body sits squarely between light and moderate in weight while the bubbles are on the high side of the spectrum which verges on that airiness that those pesky Belgians seem to have dialed in so well, unfortunately, it doesn't quite reach that lofty goal. Soft alcohol in the middle starts the drying process while the swallow is as dry as the Sahara. I can wholeheartedly endorse that aspect. Giddyup!

I am hugely impressed by this offering from Mikerphone and wouldn't hesitate to pick up more in the (very near) future. That Enigma hop, if it's all that was utilized, is a thing of beauty. It's more well rounded than even Citra which seems to get its fair share of praise in single hopped beers. Buy this, thank me later.

 

 

Amazing mouthfeel. The dryhop on this is on point. The yeast is beautiful and works so well with the tropical hops it is crazy. So easy drinking and refreshing. This is a huge winner. The best non traditional saison I have ever had.

750 ml bottle, no bottled on date, but this was just released a few days ago so I know it is fresh as can be. "Dry-Hopped Saison Ale, hopped with Australian Enigma hops".

Poured into my new Mikerphone Brewing tulip-ish stemware.

A - Pours a bright cloudy golden orange body, not too much unlike that of an IPA or an unfiltered wheat beer. Finger and a half of frothy white foam head. Minor spotty lacing.

S - Aroma is very fresh, fruity, juicy, & floral. The dry-hopping is very apparent, and the quality of the hops used shows. Notes of saison yeast, earthiness, & minor 'funk'. A wonderful smelling saison.

T - Flavor follows: very fresh, fruity, floral, & juicy. The juicy Australian hops add a wonderful element to this saison. Notes of orange, peach, white grape, maybe banana? Very tropical and juicy tasting. Fresh, above all else. Traditional notes of saison yeast & peppery spice are present.

M - Feel is smooth & juicy. Extremely easy-drinking & refreshing stuff. Would go over wonderfully on a hot summer day.

Overall, a very nicely made saison. Freshness taken into high account here. Very recommended if it is available to you.

Mikerphone Brewing Travelin' Man -----4/5.