Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Brew 0001 - Blood Orange Saison
Henderson Brewing Company

473 ml can served cold in to a pint glass. Canned on May 9, 2019.

Appearance - Super hazy, rich dark golden colored beer with honey brown highlights. A mammoth two and a half finger head perch on top and aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Not a huge amount of lacing, but still beautiful brew.

Smell - An interesting combo of yeast, some sugary notes, tropical fruit, blood orange and leafy hops.

Taste - Lots of earthiness, some funkiness, hints of sugar throughout, before blood orange comes in and melds nicely. Tastes like peach might be in there too. I was afraid that this beer would be too sweet, there are elements of that but the bitterness and earthiness really keeps everything in check. I suspect the clove also participates in this way.

Mouthfeel - Medium-light bodied, assertive carbonation, dry finish.

Overall - Quite a solid brew, better than expected. I'm likely to pick up another couple as this not only scratches the Saison itch, but incorporates some fruitiness making this a very nice summer beer.

 

 

 

Got in a BIF from Coronaeus. 16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 3/28/2019. Pours very hazy deep golden amber/light orange color with a 1 finger fairly dense and fluffy off white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big lightly tart blood oranges, citrus peel/zest, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, melon, red apple, peppercorn, light banana/clove, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, herbal, floral, wood, grass, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of blood oranges, fruity/spicy yeast, pale/wheat malts, and moderate earthy hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart blood oranges, citrus peel/zest, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, melon, red apple, peppercorn, light banana/clove, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, herbal, floral, wood, grass, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate peppery yeast spiciness; herbal, floral, woody, grassy bitterness; and light citrus tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart blood oranges, citrus peel/zest, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, melon, red apple, peppercorn, light banana/clove, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, herbal, floral, wood, grass, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of blood oranges, fruity/spicy yeast, pale/wheat malts, and moderate earthy hop flavors; with an awesome malt/bitter/spiciness and tart/tangy fruit balance; with no astringent flavors after the finish. Fairly crisp/clean finishing. Moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitter/spiciness, tart/tangy fruit, and carbonation. High carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy/sticky, and fairly acidic/tangy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol for 5.5%. Overall this is an awesome fruited saison. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of blood oranges, fruity/spicy yeast, pale/wheat malts, and moderate earthy hop flavors; very smooth and fairly crisp/clean/refreshing to drink with the modestly bitter/spicy/drying finish. Awesome balance of juicy/vibrant oranges, classic Saison yeast complexity, pale/wheat malts, and earthy hops. Minimal residual sweetness with crisp dryness. A really enjoyable offering, and impressive spot on style example.