Grisette Farmhouse Ale
Manor Hill Brewing

 

Cloudy straw colored, big white head, good retention, lacing all the way down
Green banana, some tropical fruit, white grape, and berry, slight spice over wheaty aroma
Green banana, spice, and cream of wheat flavor
Light bodied and fluffy, appropriate carbonation
Nice one for a hot day. Like a cross between a hefeweizen and a saison.

Not an expert on Saisons, even less on whatever a Grisette is actually supposed to be (seen a lot of conflicting descriptions and information), but here goes anyways. Canned 1/18/2023, poured into Tulip.

Immediate impression is its carbonation, it audibly hissed when I opened the can; I have no idea if this is normal or not for the style, but it had a very tall white head. Dissipates until it's all but a thin foam and then lingers. Pale gold and murkey.

First aroma impression is notably funky, green like some sort of plant also vaguely old, but also fresh. Maybe like hay as others have suggested? There are also some tropical fruit notes going on, but in a very hoppy way. Getting some Belgian esters and phenols as well. Possibly soapy. Similar to a Saison without the expected sweetness.

Taste is an initial lemony sweet and tart mixed with a peppery element, then fading into a hoppy bitterness and tropical fruits. Finish is a bit grainy and fresh, almost like a pilsner in a weird way.

As for mouthfeel, it is effervescent and foamy, but smooths out just enough by the time you swallow. Finish is very dry, bordering on astringent. My favorite part of the beer.

Overall it's interesting, like taking a pale ale and funking it up. Worth trying, but I think I will probably stick to my pales and pilsners

 

Canned 4/12/22

L: Pours a hazy pale straw. Massive fluffy white head.

S: Hay, lemongrass

T: Tropical fruit and Belgian yeast up front. Finish is slightly bitter

F: Crisp and dry

O: Impressive local offering

Bought from H Street's Craft Beer Cellar DC near Union Station.
An amazing grisette, particularly from a 7 year old brewer... but this family farm totally gets the style's intent to quench and make food better. I had this with take-out Asian noodles (mild) from While Foods. Cut through the oil and I wanted to eat and drink more.

While Manor Hill's Grisette really Looks average (not much active foam) and its Smells are sufficiently fruity, its Tastes are a big part of my amazement: balanced and even finishes semi-dry. In my mouth, just bubbly enough and cleansing.

As for my micro-review of Manor Hill... Eillicott City is really an ex-burb of Baltimore. But it gave this farm and brewery a good start in life. From their excellent video... they started as a gastropub, using local and fresh ingredients. It shows in this grisette. And if I lived here, I would visit the gastropub and drink their Grisette often. See their video on their website.

 

 

 

12oz undated can poured into perfect pint glass at fridge temp 4.7% ABV per label. The beer pours hefe-hazy in a dull light yellow with nearly white head. The head recedes to a fat splotchy ring and some rocky islands. Spotty lacing. The aroma is lemon, hints of onion and saison yeast. The taste is tangy, lemon infused wheat malt with a touch of that onion flavor hanging around. Minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied with just above average carbonation and a very dry finish. Overall, ok. Wife bought this in Maryland and with no dating, it could be ancient. Not that enjoyable as I'm having it, but could be great fresh or on draft.

 

Opaque yellow appearance with a large white head and spotty lacing. Spicy, herbal, lemony aroma embedded in the yeast. Some citrus briefly challenges the tart, spicy, quirky wheat flavors. Finishes with an agreeably pungent aftertaste. Nicely done.

12 ounce can

L: Slightly hazy, pale straw SRM 2-3, lively with fast rising bubbles, one finger of white soapy foam with medium retention, leaves spotty soapy lace.

S: Rather fruity with cracker malt, slightly spicy, Belgian yeast/ banana.

T: Dry, floral and slightly spicy hops, cracker-like malt, yeasty banana, a little peppery.

F: Light body, medium carbonation, crisp and very dry, refreshing.

O: Drinkable and refreshing, great dinner beer. Comparable, I think, to Tank 7 but not as good.

 

 

It checks all the boxes for a saison: pale yellow with a fluffy head. Citrus and spice in the nose. Refreshing and light flavor palate and mouthfeel while also being slightly barnyard-y. High carbonation, dry finish, low bitterness.