Small Ball Saison
Crane Brewing Company

4.14/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by bbtkd from South Dakota

Crane Small Ball Saison, 5.2% ABV, American Brett style. Pours pale yellow with a four finger white head on a careful pour. Nose is malt, citrus, and clove. Taste follows, with a light touch of brett tartness, and slight bitterness. Outstanding dry mouthfeel, overall outstanding.

Dec 02, 2018

4.02/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by zeff80 from Missouri

2018 bottle. Poured out a hazy, golden color with a very large, off-white head of foam. It smelled funky and fruity with some tartness and wheat notes. Tart lemon and some fruitiness. Funky and spicy.

Jul 02, 2018

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by StonedTrippin from Colorado

this is fabulous saison from one of the best breweries in the midwest. i cant get enough of crane right now, even the front end sours are great, but this brett one is just money, among the best i have had from these guys which is very high praise indeed. maturity is a word i tend to find myself typing a lot when i review brett beers, particularly saison, either praising its presence or admonishing its lack thereof. this is really developed on the brett side, so much so that the beer is absolutely sparkling from the bottle, crackling dry, wild and funky but also delicate and subtle, and so full of character for such a light beer that its almost hard to imagine, its exactly how it is supposed to be, and reminds me of some of the best from the old world, it feels timeless and beautiful to me. blonde and mostly clear, looks and smells like something like pils malt was included with the wheat, its grainy mildly, but not overly wheaty, softer and lighter, again very delicate. there are some hops here, light citrus and fresh vegetal notes which the brett loves, a nice springy vibe and a counterpoint to the bretty earthiness and funk. light belgian esters here, its as much saison tasting as it is bretty. it has the exact right feel too, just enough structure from the grain, a floral flood before the brett where the carbonation is at its gushing climax, and a snappy finish thats almost lager-esque in its abruptness. not just the same brett profile that everyone seems to have either, this is clean and herbal and intense for a moment, pear and honeydew notes, a little mineraly, just awesome. im not exaggerating when i say this is one of my favorite saisons of the year so far, they have a deadset winner with this one!

Sep 06, 2017

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Harrison8 from Missouri

Pours a golden straw with a foggy frost to it. Head foams up quickly and easily, and white in color, peaking in a little over 3 fingers after gushing the first ounce or two out of the bomber. Head settles slowly, lingering for a long while. A final, defiant ring of white foam sticks around for a long time depositing heavy lacing on the glass after each sip. Aroma is biscuit, bready malts, Floral, fruity notes reside underneath. There is a tart sour note as well. Flavor profile is smooth, with a balance of fruity, floral hops and bready, biscuit malts. There is a subtle tart, sour quality to it adding to the depth, but overall it's incredibly well balanced. Mouth feel is crisp, with a medium thickness. Overall a resoundingly great saison with a slight sour quality (brettanomyces added). It drinks smooth, crisp, refreshing, and well balanced. At 5.2% it's a pleasant sipper. It would go excellent in 12/16oz cans for a flavorful summer brew at the ballpark.

Served in a Teku glass.

Apr 03, 2017

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by emerge077 from Illinois

Prototypical Brett saison.
Deep saturated orange, lots of frothy foam and sticky lacing, great lasting coverage.

Aroma is full of funky Brett yeast, wet hay with a little bit of phenolic spice.
Taste is vaguely tart, funky wet hay, cheese rind, and horseblanket Brett yeast notes.
Super dry finish, really quenching and enjoyable in hot weather.

Stack this up against Boulevard Saison Brett anyday.

Aug 28, 2016

3.94/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Bsteele569 from Missouri

Great beer, and an interesting story behind the company.

Jun 18, 2016