Yards Saison | Yards Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Yards Brewing Co.
Pennsylvania, United States
yardsbrewing.com
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.50%
Availability: Summer
Notes / Commercial Description:
Saisons were originally brewed to keep farmhands happy and hydrated during the warm summer months. True to the style, Yards’ Saison is a semi-unfiltered Belgian style ale brewed with distinctive Belgian yeast. It’s delicate and fruity with a subtle spiciness. Styrian Goldings in the kettle lend a touch of hop to the palate, balancing out this highly drinkable version of the classic style.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 09-13-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 204 | Ratings: 479
Reviews by MarcGetty:
More User Reviews:
3.98/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured a nice hazy deep yellow with nice big fluffy head,smell was a little spicey but somewhat faint.Tasted yeasty and a little tart with some nice balancing sweetness in there lingering.Pretty nice beer real easy to drink even at 6.5% percent a summer beer with a little muscle.Will by again,Iam gonna try to find it on tap.
★ 326 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured a nice hazy deep yellow with nice big fluffy head,smell was a little spicey but somewhat faint.Tasted yeasty and a little tart with some nice balancing sweetness in there lingering.Pretty nice beer real easy to drink even at 6.5% percent a summer beer with a little muscle.Will by again,Iam gonna try to find it on tap.
★ 326 characters
3.63/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz brown bottle with no freshness date.
Bright golden hue, sufficient lacing. Big spicy aroma with tones of bread, yeast, phenols, a kiss of alcohol. Smooth with ample crispness, moderate sized body. Wild herb phenols with some mildly harsh bubble gum, slightly bitter with some nutty yeast in the finish.
Everything comes together in the end even if some flavors seem to showboat.
★ 388 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz brown bottle with no freshness date.
Bright golden hue, sufficient lacing. Big spicy aroma with tones of bread, yeast, phenols, a kiss of alcohol. Smooth with ample crispness, moderate sized body. Wild herb phenols with some mildly harsh bubble gum, slightly bitter with some nutty yeast in the finish.
Everything comes together in the end even if some flavors seem to showboat.
★ 388 characters
3.65/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle purchased as a single at the Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, Va. Served chilled into a tulip glass, this pours a hazed, pale yellow banana peel body with an immense white head that I'm getting used to seeing in Saisons. Very good retention and globs of patchy lace are clinging all over the glass.
Aroma begins spicy, with coriander and white pepper. Citrusy notes of lemon and orangepeel blend well with some grassy and floral hop aromas.
Mouthfeel is light bodied with high carbonation that tingles the tongue.
Taste is dry and spicy, with lemony citrus and coriander dominating all the way through. Mild note of powdery yeast, but that's about it for the yeast character. Dry and spicy on the finish.
This is a crisp, dry, and refreshing Saison that is pleasant on the palate. Lacks the serious complexity and character of the better Belgian Saisons, but not at all bad.
★ 888 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle purchased as a single at the Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, Va. Served chilled into a tulip glass, this pours a hazed, pale yellow banana peel body with an immense white head that I'm getting used to seeing in Saisons. Very good retention and globs of patchy lace are clinging all over the glass.
Aroma begins spicy, with coriander and white pepper. Citrusy notes of lemon and orangepeel blend well with some grassy and floral hop aromas.
Mouthfeel is light bodied with high carbonation that tingles the tongue.
Taste is dry and spicy, with lemony citrus and coriander dominating all the way through. Mild note of powdery yeast, but that's about it for the yeast character. Dry and spicy on the finish.
This is a crisp, dry, and refreshing Saison that is pleasant on the palate. Lacks the serious complexity and character of the better Belgian Saisons, but not at all bad.
★ 888 characters
3.83/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle, no freshness dating. Pours a honey/golden amber. Cloudy, minimal white head. Sort of prickly on the tongue. Minor lacing. Honey, pepper and yeast in the nose. Earthy, musty and hints of pepper. they obviously are trying as best as they can to hit the style, and I think its a pretty good try at an elusive flavor and yeast profile. Spicy in the finish, moderate complexity. Some sourness. Tasty, flavorfull and hearty summer quaffer.
★ 450 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle, no freshness dating. Pours a honey/golden amber. Cloudy, minimal white head. Sort of prickly on the tongue. Minor lacing. Honey, pepper and yeast in the nose. Earthy, musty and hints of pepper. they obviously are trying as best as they can to hit the style, and I think its a pretty good try at an elusive flavor and yeast profile. Spicy in the finish, moderate complexity. Some sourness. Tasty, flavorfull and hearty summer quaffer.
★ 450 characters
3.6/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This is from the Yards Variety case. I drank it in a goblet. "Filled on" date stamped on top of the case, but it's tricky to find. Something is inked on the bottle, but it's unreadable.
Pours a slightly hazy light orange with a 1/2 finger head of off-white foam. Head falls to islands and a ring, with minimal lacing. Carbonation looks active.
Aroma is of bitter orange and coriander, on the light side, with a very slight farmhouse character to it. Smells pleasantly citrusy, and slightly yeasty. Smells nice, if not complex.
First flavor is light Belgian farmhouse funk, followed by lightly bready pilsner malt, lemony citrus, and a gentle hop bitterness. The spices come through late, and taste of orange and coriander. This is a saison wannabe, although it's a good beer, nonetheless. Aftertaste is a light but noticeable Belgian funk.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a lively carbonation bite. Finish is short and sweet.
Like I said, this is a saison wannabe, but it is a good beer. Seems like Yards is seeking the newbie niche for saisons, but it is well made, and power to them. If you are seeking out true saisons, I would keep looking.
★ 1,159 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This is from the Yards Variety case. I drank it in a goblet. "Filled on" date stamped on top of the case, but it's tricky to find. Something is inked on the bottle, but it's unreadable.
Pours a slightly hazy light orange with a 1/2 finger head of off-white foam. Head falls to islands and a ring, with minimal lacing. Carbonation looks active.
Aroma is of bitter orange and coriander, on the light side, with a very slight farmhouse character to it. Smells pleasantly citrusy, and slightly yeasty. Smells nice, if not complex.
First flavor is light Belgian farmhouse funk, followed by lightly bready pilsner malt, lemony citrus, and a gentle hop bitterness. The spices come through late, and taste of orange and coriander. This is a saison wannabe, although it's a good beer, nonetheless. Aftertaste is a light but noticeable Belgian funk.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a lively carbonation bite. Finish is short and sweet.
Like I said, this is a saison wannabe, but it is a good beer. Seems like Yards is seeking the newbie niche for saisons, but it is well made, and power to them. If you are seeking out true saisons, I would keep looking.
★ 1,159 characters
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I liked this beer. Tried it in a beer/cheese tasting and it was paired with a brilliant cheese; Harbison from The Cellars at Jasper Hill. The combo was fantastic. Very light, hint of spice. The "expert" at the tasting said it was brewed with candied sugar. Definitely could taste that. I'm eager to have another one without the compliment of the cheese to see if it stands on its own. Could be a nice summer brew after a good winter with great darks/stouts.
★ 457 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I liked this beer. Tried it in a beer/cheese tasting and it was paired with a brilliant cheese; Harbison from The Cellars at Jasper Hill. The combo was fantastic. Very light, hint of spice. The "expert" at the tasting said it was brewed with candied sugar. Definitely could taste that. I'm eager to have another one without the compliment of the cheese to see if it stands on its own. Could be a nice summer brew after a good winter with great darks/stouts.
★ 457 characters
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
Little heavy for a saison, has a funny taste, not your typical saison. Still goes down well and I could probably drink a sixer.
129 characters
Little heavy for a saison, has a funny taste, not your typical saison. Still goes down well and I could probably drink a sixer.
129 characters
3.23/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is very impressive hazed orange tinted golden body with a vibrant fluffy white head poured into my Corsendonk glass leaving even lace as the head settles. Aroma is delicate with a faint phenolic fruit tone peeking through what seems like a decently carbonated spiced lighter summer beer. My first sip of this pseudo Saison is met with a slightly harsh mixture of flavors, a bitter dryness at first followed by watery emptiness some malt sweetness shines through but the flavors are conflicting in my mouth and only hoping to eventually harmonize I will let this sample sit until it warms slightly. The mouthfeel is light and meant for the summer time, and I could probably handle my share of these, but why would I want to when it's just a mediocre representation of a great beer. I will pass on this pass me my Saison Dupont.
★ 837 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is very impressive hazed orange tinted golden body with a vibrant fluffy white head poured into my Corsendonk glass leaving even lace as the head settles. Aroma is delicate with a faint phenolic fruit tone peeking through what seems like a decently carbonated spiced lighter summer beer. My first sip of this pseudo Saison is met with a slightly harsh mixture of flavors, a bitter dryness at first followed by watery emptiness some malt sweetness shines through but the flavors are conflicting in my mouth and only hoping to eventually harmonize I will let this sample sit until it warms slightly. The mouthfeel is light and meant for the summer time, and I could probably handle my share of these, but why would I want to when it's just a mediocre representation of a great beer. I will pass on this pass me my Saison Dupont.
★ 837 characters
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
new recipe for the Yards Saison for 2009...ABV has been bumped up to 6.5% with this new batch....picked up fresh at Canal's in NJ
light orange color....slightly cloudy....thin head....steady stream of carbonation flowing up from the bottom of my glass...patchy lacing
fruit aromas...has an orange/citrus scent to it...flavorful
light body with carbonation bite on the back of the tongue....defiantly has Belgian qualities to it
even with the higher ABV i could see putting a few of these back on a summer day on the deck....will seek this one out on draft also
★ 565 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
new recipe for the Yards Saison for 2009...ABV has been bumped up to 6.5% with this new batch....picked up fresh at Canal's in NJ
light orange color....slightly cloudy....thin head....steady stream of carbonation flowing up from the bottom of my glass...patchy lacing
fruit aromas...has an orange/citrus scent to it...flavorful
light body with carbonation bite on the back of the tongue....defiantly has Belgian qualities to it
even with the higher ABV i could see putting a few of these back on a summer day on the deck....will seek this one out on draft also
★ 565 characters
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours a cloudy gold; it has a nice hop, good carbonation and yeasty flavor throughout. Overall it is very satisfying and crisp
For the novice: A good introduction to the style.
Personally: Yards Saison has had a rough life, especially during the Kehoe/Barton years....sometimes tasting weak, slightly sour, and totally unlike the current version Yards is brewing today.
Cheers to Tom and gang, a quality saison proudly brewed in my home town.
★ 446 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours a cloudy gold; it has a nice hop, good carbonation and yeasty flavor throughout. Overall it is very satisfying and crisp
For the novice: A good introduction to the style.
Personally: Yards Saison has had a rough life, especially during the Kehoe/Barton years....sometimes tasting weak, slightly sour, and totally unlike the current version Yards is brewing today.
Cheers to Tom and gang, a quality saison proudly brewed in my home town.
★ 446 characters
3.88/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Served in a deep chalice)
A- this beer pours a hazy golden body with a thin ring of white foam on the rim. Strong carbonation aswell.
S- Sour honey aromas with strong notes of hard cider.
T- Lots of tart grapefruit with some tanginess too. A hint of ice tea and some lemon finish with a hop bitterness.
M- medium body with a small fizz. No alcohol warmth or astringency.
D- Very unique beer but they really need to work on the complexity of flavors to master this style. Very good solid beer.
★ 506 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Served in a deep chalice)
A- this beer pours a hazy golden body with a thin ring of white foam on the rim. Strong carbonation aswell.
S- Sour honey aromas with strong notes of hard cider.
T- Lots of tart grapefruit with some tanginess too. A hint of ice tea and some lemon finish with a hop bitterness.
M- medium body with a small fizz. No alcohol warmth or astringency.
D- Very unique beer but they really need to work on the complexity of flavors to master this style. Very good solid beer.
★ 506 characters
3.79/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Pours a golden yellow/straw color with a half of a finger of white-colored head that quickly disappeared into a thin lacing of foam that covered practically the entire top of the beer.
Aroma: Typical Belgian Saison aroma of Belgian yeast, spices such as cardamom, clove, and lemon peel. Very nice.
Taste: Again, typical Belgian Saison flavors: yeasty, spicy (as in spices, not heat), citrusy. Notes of clove, black pepper, lemon, grapefruit, candied sugar, honey.
Mouthfeel: Medium-light, with some really good carbonation to tickle the taste buds and cleanse the palate.
Overall: I really liked this beer and found it to be a good example of an American version of a Belgian Saison. I’ll certainly be getting it again.
★ 776 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Pours a golden yellow/straw color with a half of a finger of white-colored head that quickly disappeared into a thin lacing of foam that covered practically the entire top of the beer.
Aroma: Typical Belgian Saison aroma of Belgian yeast, spices such as cardamom, clove, and lemon peel. Very nice.
Taste: Again, typical Belgian Saison flavors: yeasty, spicy (as in spices, not heat), citrusy. Notes of clove, black pepper, lemon, grapefruit, candied sugar, honey.
Mouthfeel: Medium-light, with some really good carbonation to tickle the taste buds and cleanse the palate.
Overall: I really liked this beer and found it to be a good example of an American version of a Belgian Saison. I’ll certainly be getting it again.
★ 776 characters
Yards Saison from Yards Brewing Co.
3.56
out of 5
based on 479 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Yards Saison pours pretty dark compared to most other saisons. While not as cloudy as a hefe, it is not unlike one in color and apparent thickness.
While not clear and crisp looking as most saisons, Yards Saison is the poster child for saison taste. Clean, crisp, and having quite an aftertaste.
While having a good taste, is is not a beer I would want to have more than one or two of at a time due to the very flavorfull taste. However, the one or two you have will be much enjoyed.
★ 485 characters