Valor
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company

 

A good light drinker for the summer, it's a bit yeasty.On tap at Godspeed. Decent enough that's it's worth a try, but overall An average grisette, an average beer

355 mL can from the Toronto Brewing 2021 advent calendar; no canning date and served slightly chilled.

Pours a hazy golden yellow colour, crowned with nearly two fingers of puffy, foamy, sparkling white head that dissipates within five minutes or so. A modest collar of creamy suds is the only remnant of note, as there's no cap and little in the way of lace. Smells wholesome - graininess, wheaty bread, clove spice, grassy hay, maybe a touch of orchard fruits and underripe banana.

The flavour profile follows the nose - whole grains, rye bread, and a fair bit of spicy yeast character that imparts notes of pepper and clove. Hints of grassy hay, lemon pith and light banana, with a spicy, mildly floral tail end that dries out quickly. Medium in body, with aggressive carbonation that feels spritzy and lively on the tongue - maybe a little overcarbonated at first, but as the glass breathes/warms, the carb settles down a bit and at that point it feels just about right for a saison. A pleasant little sipper, but I feel as if this is one of those beers you really ought to drink on a sweaty, stinkin' hot summer evening, at least if you want the optimal experience.

Final Grade: 3.85, a B+. Valor is a well-brewed saison, but it doesn't strike me as a very memorable one - there's just nothing here that really grabs my attention. That doesn't make it a 'poor' beer - in fact, I think I'd be happy to drink this on a regular basis if it were locally available, simply because it's a serviceable example of a style that isn't very well-represented on retail shelves. I just wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Had on tap at TnN. Nice soft burnt yellow with fluffy head. Dissipated quickly but generous lacing. Straw, funk, banana, clove in nose; nicely full coming from glass. Flavor mirrors scent with funk a bit more evident... but not overwhelming. Gentle to mildly bright carbonation; refreshing.
Based on earlier reviews I think the brew has been improving more recently.
All in all I found it a nice saison that went very well with the unseasoned dry sausage I had. Enjoyed!

A bit over carbonated - good balance of clove and esthery fruit.

 

 

 

 

Service: Can
No date


A:
Pours a powdery gold with three fingers bone white head, drops to a scant film with a ring around the edge of the glass, wavy lace squiggles. (3.5)

S:
Doughy yeast with lemon rind, pepper, floral aromas, slight clove/banana. (3.5)

T:
Doughy and a little sweet, white bread, clover, honey, pepper. (3.25)

M:
Medium minus body, light prickly carbonation that is a bit fluffy. (3.5)

O:
Decent beer.
It reminds me more of a hefeweizen than anything, but I do prefer a really dry saison, so it might just be me.
It looks nice enough, little retention. The aroma is yeasty and a little floral. The flavor is mainly sweet, but the sticky yeast paste flavor is still there a little. Fairly drinkable. Nice little beer.
I'd have it again probably, but nothing too amazing. (3.5)

 

 

 

Served at fridge temperature. Poured into a large tulip. Lively to pour. Head tapers down to a fine lace rimming the glass after a couple minutes. Lovely light copper orange hue. Faint nose of rustic wheat. At first taste, wheat and banana dominant however this quickly gives way to thin orange/citrus taste but a more possessive strong bitterness which rides out into a long and lingering aftertaste. I like the weight of the beer and its presentation but the taste is a little unrefined. Good effort but could use some refining.