Gnome For The Holidays
Silver Branch Brewing Company
- From:
- Silver Branch Brewing Company
- Maryland, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Saison
Ranked #211 - ABV:
- 7.6%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #11,014 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 5.78%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 7
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 16, 2026
- Added:
- Dec 19, 2020
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
The Gnomes LOVE the holidays and have long been frustrated that Elves are seen as the official holiday "diminutive being." But they don't let it get them down! Instead, they celebrate with this strong holiday saison, brewed with dark Belgian candi sugar for a bit of caramel complexity alongside the classic Saison pepper and spice yeast character.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Smakawhat from Maryland
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the can into a tulip glass.
Frothy and leggy even bubbled topped head, off white with cream and fine capping looks. Booming orange body, slightly hazed with lemon hues, and a slight hint of carbonation rising from the center. Great looking saison.
Aroma is big and bold and balanced. Rushing yeast esters, with little funk but more dough and fruity touches. Slight hinting honey sweetness and caramel, with an herbal pop of hop as well. Very well put together.
Palate is just a delicious simple rush. Cream and honey sweetness on first, with a touch of mild brett to cut through. Soft bodied, almost cake like malt, with a mix of mint like herbs and sensing white pepper finishing on the aftertaste. Touches of pear and even marmalade like citrus but without the sharp bitterness.
This is very well put together saison from these guys.
Nov 18, 2023Frothy and leggy even bubbled topped head, off white with cream and fine capping looks. Booming orange body, slightly hazed with lemon hues, and a slight hint of carbonation rising from the center. Great looking saison.
Aroma is big and bold and balanced. Rushing yeast esters, with little funk but more dough and fruity touches. Slight hinting honey sweetness and caramel, with an herbal pop of hop as well. Very well put together.
Palate is just a delicious simple rush. Cream and honey sweetness on first, with a touch of mild brett to cut through. Soft bodied, almost cake like malt, with a mix of mint like herbs and sensing white pepper finishing on the aftertaste. Touches of pear and even marmalade like citrus but without the sharp bitterness.
This is very well put together saison from these guys.
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland
3.59/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.59/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A single can purloined from the home of my friends for whom I am catsitting.
Poured into a pint glass. Pretty dark for a saison, also surprisingly clear, orange-amber with a rocky and retentive head.
Aroma is... pretty good for an American saison, not so great so far as saisons on the whole are concerned (what is it about this style that stymies so many otherwise exceptional American brewers? White pepper, yeast, and a bit of lemon. The can is a few months old and I get the feeling the fruity nodes have been mellowed out a bit (and that's probably for the better).
Flavor is surprisingly straightforward. Decent, nothing objectionable, but far from an exemplary saison. Grain and yeast of front, mildly bitter and spicy, moving into a lightly fruity middle and finishing on some decent allspice complexities.
May 10, 2023Poured into a pint glass. Pretty dark for a saison, also surprisingly clear, orange-amber with a rocky and retentive head.
Aroma is... pretty good for an American saison, not so great so far as saisons on the whole are concerned (what is it about this style that stymies so many otherwise exceptional American brewers? White pepper, yeast, and a bit of lemon. The can is a few months old and I get the feeling the fruity nodes have been mellowed out a bit (and that's probably for the better).
Flavor is surprisingly straightforward. Decent, nothing objectionable, but far from an exemplary saison. Grain and yeast of front, mildly bitter and spicy, moving into a lightly fruity middle and finishing on some decent allspice complexities.
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
4.22/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Lightly hazed orange appearance with a small off white head and good lacing. Yeasty, fruity aroma, green apple stands out, followed by citrus with lemon accents. Tart taste. Getting more spiciness that I did not identify in the aroma. Orchard fruit and citrus still hanging in there. Malts are low keyed but supportive. Acidic, light-to-medium bodied, well carbonated mouthfeel. Has a bit of a cider-like quality. Very enjoyable.
Jan 06, 2023
Reviewed by bubseymour from Maryland
4.5/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Really nice classic saison. Lots of clove and banana and a touch of spice and crisp hop finish. Very rich yet drinkable. Very well made saison. Highly recommend.
Dec 13, 2022
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4.4/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice amber color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has caramel malt and spice hints
The taste follows the nose with a caramel malt and spice flavor
A light bodied decently carbonated beer
A great Saison
Nov 21, 2022Aroma has caramel malt and spice hints
The taste follows the nose with a caramel malt and spice flavor
A light bodied decently carbonated beer
A great Saison
Reviewed by mpyle from Maryland
4.27/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pale amber color, good clarity. Pours a nice sized white head with good retention.
Has a bit of a peppery phenolic aroma, basically a spicy sweet nose.
Initially quite sweet, before turning more clove and pepper, then a hint of citrus. No definitive back end - just fades into a somewhat tart finish - and not overly dry.
Medium body and med-high carbonation. Minimal if any alcoholic warming - a gently drinking 7.6% beer.
Nice complexity of flavors, yet still very easy drinking despite the strength. Another dangerous beer from SB.
Dec 23, 2020Has a bit of a peppery phenolic aroma, basically a spicy sweet nose.
Initially quite sweet, before turning more clove and pepper, then a hint of citrus. No definitive back end - just fades into a somewhat tart finish - and not overly dry.
Medium body and med-high carbonation. Minimal if any alcoholic warming - a gently drinking 7.6% beer.
Nice complexity of flavors, yet still very easy drinking despite the strength. Another dangerous beer from SB.
Reviewed by MrOH from Virginia
4.47/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Slightly hazy dark amber, thin white head, retention isn't too great,
Banana, red apple, white pepper and sweet spice aromatics, a little bit of toast and caramel
Baked apple, pie spice, caramel, pastry crust, nice tang
Light bodied, could use a little more effervescence
Overall, I like it a lot. If they used spices, it was just enough to accentuate the yeast and not overpower it.
Dec 20, 2020Banana, red apple, white pepper and sweet spice aromatics, a little bit of toast and caramel
Baked apple, pie spice, caramel, pastry crust, nice tang
Light bodied, could use a little more effervescence
Overall, I like it a lot. If they used spices, it was just enough to accentuate the yeast and not overpower it.
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!