Melancholia
The Veil Brewing Co. - Production Brewery
- From:
- The Veil Brewing Co. - Production Brewery
- Virginia, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Saison
Ranked #347 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #15,268 - Avg:
- 4.02 | pDev: 7.21%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 14
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 26, 2026
- Added:
- Jul 16, 2018
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Open-fermented Saison. One of our favorite stainless-fermented Saisons that we produce. Awesome farmhouse phenolics pair perfectly with the rye and spelt grist. This batch is crisp, effervescent, and refreshing with nice notes of lemon verbena and white pepper.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by nickb2000 from New Hampshire
4.5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Can into Nucleated Tulip (Canned 12/10/25)
Look: Cloudy golden yellow body, pouring a frothy, 1 finger head which quickly dissipated to a silky thin cap
Smell: Yeasty barnyard, lemon zest, grass and pepper, mellow biscuity malt. Just like a saison should. Medium strength
Taste: Bright lemon and yeast, sweet biscuity malt, near zero bitterness. Some banana and cloves comes out towards the end along with a citrus pith style bitterness.
feel: Medium bodied, semi-crisp, moderate-ish carbonation with a smooth texture
Overall: Great saison. Very flavorful and easy drinking
May 26, 2026Look: Cloudy golden yellow body, pouring a frothy, 1 finger head which quickly dissipated to a silky thin cap
Smell: Yeasty barnyard, lemon zest, grass and pepper, mellow biscuity malt. Just like a saison should. Medium strength
Taste: Bright lemon and yeast, sweet biscuity malt, near zero bitterness. Some banana and cloves comes out towards the end along with a citrus pith style bitterness.
feel: Medium bodied, semi-crisp, moderate-ish carbonation with a smooth texture
Overall: Great saison. Very flavorful and easy drinking
Reviewed by RBorsato from Virginia
4.5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Hazed golden yellow. Big traditional barnyardy Belgian yeasty aroma and flavor with lemony and peppery notes. Nice balance of flavors. Fairly light bodied with a nice dry yeasty finish.
Apr 07, 2026
Reviewed by crazyspicychef from Pennsylvania
4.34/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.34/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A pretty good open fermented Saison.
Pours a deep straw- brass yellow, with a long lasting head that gives way to a beautiful lace.
Taste is nice and dry, a little lingering hops and twang.
Definitely a unique brew and one I would get again.
Mar 10, 2025Pours a deep straw- brass yellow, with a long lasting head that gives way to a beautiful lace.
Taste is nice and dry, a little lingering hops and twang.
Definitely a unique brew and one I would get again.
Reviewed by MrOH from Virginia
4.01/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.01/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Slightly cloudy orange-gold, dense white head, excellent retention, bands of lace
Underripe banana, white pepper, herbal, lemon aroma
Green banana, soft malt, white pepper, herbal, citrus flavor
Light bodied, fluffy, could use a touch more carbonation
A really good saison
Nov 30, 2024Underripe banana, white pepper, herbal, lemon aroma
Green banana, soft malt, white pepper, herbal, citrus flavor
Light bodied, fluffy, could use a touch more carbonation
A really good saison
Reviewed by dano213 from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
16oz can purchased from the fridge as part of a 4-pack for $14.99 plus tax. From Instagram, it looks like this was just released on October 2, so it's one day shy of 6 weeks old.
Look: It pours a very nice light copper color with excellent clarity, a tight white head and very fine rising carbonation. This looks very pretty in my Tree House Saison glass. Nice head retention. A bit of haze after pouring the sediment on the bottom of the can.
Smell: Ooh, it smells really nice. This is what I want my Saison to smell like. It has a bit of funk and barnyard along with grassy, peppery notes. Lots of clove and some medicinal notes on the back end also. It has a very Belgian-esque nose. The nose evolves to an expression of banana and bubble gum.
Taste: The taste follows the nose in that this has a very Belgian flavor profile. Up front, it has a fine-bubbled effervescent with a bit of sweetness and graininess. The beer quickly moves to intense dryness on the finish with a lot of clove and some phenolic notes. A bit of pithy citrus on the finish as well. As indicated in the nose, notes of banana and bubble gum too. A bit of a medicinal, lip-numbing finish.
Feel: The mouthfeel is medium minus to medium bodied. For a 6% ABV clear Saison, it has a nice crispness and dryness and it gives me the kind of mouthfeel that I am looking for. The carbonation is spot on. I'm not sure if this is a mouthfeel comment or not, but the beer gives my lips a bit of a numbing effect. I'm not sure if this is due to the hops, yeast, or both.
Overall: I am always intrigued to see how American brewers make Saison beers and try them, especially from breweries that I like and respect. There is so much variation within the style and that's part of what makes it so interesting. I have enjoyed a couple of other beers from The Veil and this is my first Saison from them. Overall, the clove note is a bit overpowering and a lot of that probably has to do with the open fermentation method, which obviously has its advantages and disadvantages. It's not my favorite type of Saison, yet I do think that it's a good one. It's good, but not as complex and interesting as some other Saisons. I'm curious to see if it would age well and perhaps the clove-forward notes would become more reserved over time.
Nov 13, 2024Look: It pours a very nice light copper color with excellent clarity, a tight white head and very fine rising carbonation. This looks very pretty in my Tree House Saison glass. Nice head retention. A bit of haze after pouring the sediment on the bottom of the can.
Smell: Ooh, it smells really nice. This is what I want my Saison to smell like. It has a bit of funk and barnyard along with grassy, peppery notes. Lots of clove and some medicinal notes on the back end also. It has a very Belgian-esque nose. The nose evolves to an expression of banana and bubble gum.
Taste: The taste follows the nose in that this has a very Belgian flavor profile. Up front, it has a fine-bubbled effervescent with a bit of sweetness and graininess. The beer quickly moves to intense dryness on the finish with a lot of clove and some phenolic notes. A bit of pithy citrus on the finish as well. As indicated in the nose, notes of banana and bubble gum too. A bit of a medicinal, lip-numbing finish.
Feel: The mouthfeel is medium minus to medium bodied. For a 6% ABV clear Saison, it has a nice crispness and dryness and it gives me the kind of mouthfeel that I am looking for. The carbonation is spot on. I'm not sure if this is a mouthfeel comment or not, but the beer gives my lips a bit of a numbing effect. I'm not sure if this is due to the hops, yeast, or both.
Overall: I am always intrigued to see how American brewers make Saison beers and try them, especially from breweries that I like and respect. There is so much variation within the style and that's part of what makes it so interesting. I have enjoyed a couple of other beers from The Veil and this is my first Saison from them. Overall, the clove note is a bit overpowering and a lot of that probably has to do with the open fermentation method, which obviously has its advantages and disadvantages. It's not my favorite type of Saison, yet I do think that it's a good one. It's good, but not as complex and interesting as some other Saisons. I'm curious to see if it would age well and perhaps the clove-forward notes would become more reserved over time.
Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina
3.69/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: It pours yellow with some clouding and a white head. It has excellent head retention.
Smell: It has spicy, yet rye bread like aroma up front with pepper and another grain aroma I will assume is the spelt.
Taste: There is rye spiceness with other spices including peper. There is a bready like note in support with light yeasty notes with a hint of lemon.
Feel: It has a medium body with a slight bitter balance.
Overall, the rye and I will assume the spelt adds another malt dimension to this farmhouse ale.
Sep 15, 2024Smell: It has spicy, yet rye bread like aroma up front with pepper and another grain aroma I will assume is the spelt.
Taste: There is rye spiceness with other spices including peper. There is a bready like note in support with light yeasty notes with a hint of lemon.
Feel: It has a medium body with a slight bitter balance.
Overall, the rye and I will assume the spelt adds another malt dimension to this farmhouse ale.
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
4.63/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.63/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Oh, melancholia! If there was a beer deserving of a Sylvio Rodriguez song this is it.
From a can this pours a straw gold with billowy foam. Estery-forward nose, with some straw and strawberry notes on the back end. Light lemony and cracked pepper joins the mélange on the sip, with somewhat of a delicate funky finish. Delicious!
Jan 12, 2024From a can this pours a straw gold with billowy foam. Estery-forward nose, with some straw and strawberry notes on the back end. Light lemony and cracked pepper joins the mélange on the sip, with somewhat of a delicate funky finish. Delicious!
Reviewed by Roguer from Connecticut
3.86/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.86/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Absolutely beautiful beer: crystal clear if decanted, with a bit of haze if fully poured; excellent head production, retention, and lacing; light golden color.
Aroma is fairly normal for an open fermented saison. Notes of hay, honey, lemon, and just a bit of barnyard funk.
On the palate, it's less balanced. It's very, very sweet and malty, surprising given that it clocks in at a robust but not imperial-strength 6% ABV. The light funk from the nose has little presence on the palate. The flavor profile is reminiscent of Hennepin or Dupont, but not as complex or balanced. Leans toward cloying. Tasting notes include banana, pear, hay, straw, clove, white dough, honey.
Oct 12, 2023Aroma is fairly normal for an open fermented saison. Notes of hay, honey, lemon, and just a bit of barnyard funk.
On the palate, it's less balanced. It's very, very sweet and malty, surprising given that it clocks in at a robust but not imperial-strength 6% ABV. The light funk from the nose has little presence on the palate. The flavor profile is reminiscent of Hennepin or Dupont, but not as complex or balanced. Leans toward cloying. Tasting notes include banana, pear, hay, straw, clove, white dough, honey.
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can. Stamped date on can bottom is partially readable as a date in January of 2023.
Just a little cloudy on the pale gold colored body. Two fingers of white head retreat back to a partial cap and ring. Leaves behind a partial ring of lacing.
Aroma of lemon, pepper, and rye spice.
Taste is lemon, tea, pepper, and rye spice.
Medium mouth feel. Dry finish. Very good carbonation.
Thirst quenching but dry, with a spicy pepper note.
May 18, 2023Just a little cloudy on the pale gold colored body. Two fingers of white head retreat back to a partial cap and ring. Leaves behind a partial ring of lacing.
Aroma of lemon, pepper, and rye spice.
Taste is lemon, tea, pepper, and rye spice.
Medium mouth feel. Dry finish. Very good carbonation.
Thirst quenching but dry, with a spicy pepper note.
Reviewed by bubseymour from Maryland
4.31/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful orange hazy beer in the glass with a 1 finger head. Aroma is a nice blend of clove, banana and funk. Taste is very much traditional saison with grassy bready sweetness and peppery. A touch of hop crispness and dryness in the finish. I like this one at 6% to keep it lighter and not overpowered by sweetness. Good saison. Only negative was that I was hoping for some funk and tartness in the flavor profile but that was missing.
Mar 12, 2023
Reviewed by Billolick from New York
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tall can, from the Norfolk, Va location. Date on the bottom is smudged.
Hazy pour, moderate film, fine low sheeting.
Some pepper and tea notes on the sniff.
Smooth and tasty brew, delicately complex…light pepper, again tea, yeasty goodness. Quite enjoyable saison
Feb 03, 2023Hazy pour, moderate film, fine low sheeting.
Some pepper and tea notes on the sniff.
Smooth and tasty brew, delicately complex…light pepper, again tea, yeasty goodness. Quite enjoyable saison
Reviewed by rex_4539 from Greece
3.5/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.5/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
L: Hazy golden color, one finger white head, nice lacing, light carbonation.
S: Malts, yeast, hops.
T: Malts, yeast, hops. Tastes like a good lager.
F: Light bodied, not much going on.
O: If this was a lager, it would be very nice.
Dec 23, 2020S: Malts, yeast, hops.
T: Malts, yeast, hops. Tastes like a good lager.
F: Light bodied, not much going on.
O: If this was a lager, it would be very nice.
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.31/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Arrives hazy and orange colored with a pillowy white head that rises to two fingers and sticks like a champ; copious sheets of lace
Smell: Rustic and bready with rye spice and farmhouse tones
Taste: The rye and spelt flavors emerge quickly and blend with the bready aspect underneath; through the middle, the farmhouse element adds a rustic depth; earthy and moderately bitter in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation
Overall: A fine Saison from a brewery known for other things
Oct 01, 2019Smell: Rustic and bready with rye spice and farmhouse tones
Taste: The rye and spelt flavors emerge quickly and blend with the bready aspect underneath; through the middle, the farmhouse element adds a rustic depth; earthy and moderately bitter in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation
Overall: A fine Saison from a brewery known for other things
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