Sickles & Scythes
Aurora Brewing Co.

i am still yet to try any of their mixed culture stuff, which i hear is great, but my brother was able to score this can of saison, and i think this is a good step in that direction, like this being good suggests to me that those will be good, even though its clean, if that makes any sense. its hopped with zappa hops, which i have not had much of, always cool to see some unique ingredients on display in these rustic styles. this is softly hazy, pale yellow in color, a little bit dense looking, with a high white head that holds in the glass the entire time it takes me to drink my half of the can. the hops hit me before the ferment does, one part grassy, one part limey, a third part sort of candied, notes of citrus peel, peach rings, and bitter tea, seems perfect for a saison. the yeast is more or less familiar, a well restrained french type, or a moderately expressive belgian blend, something like that, esters rather than funk, but still some rustic character, and playing really well with the wheat in the base of this. some european pils character in the malt bill too it seems to me, i like how fresh and forward the grain is in the flavor mix, while also being this dry. the hops make it slightly juicy and give it maybe a little longer finish than the old world examples of the style, but i like whats left on my palate on the swallow, and this is still dry, drinkable, and even refreshing for being kind of complex. a good balance between all the ingredients, fresh and flavorful, the hops do a lot for this, and it kind of has one foot in tradition and one in the cutting edge, which i also really dig. would love to see this bottle conditioned, aged in a gin barrel, given a brett pitch, something else to pop it off even more, but its encouraging and exciting and delicious. one of my favorites i had from these guys on our recent trip, great beer, memorable even!