The Informant
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

harsh, too herbal, bandaids, had on cask

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at Astoria Beer and Brew. The body is a little heavier and the malts are sweeter. It's good, but tastes more like a spicy take on the strong Belgian pale ale style. The barley leaves a honey, bready taste under the herbal spice and mild pepper. Pretty good beer, but not dry and refreshing like a great saison.

Notes are from 5/28

This is a dark gold verging on amber with just a little haze to the body, pretty close to transparent. The head is a soft and foamy off-white pillow that reaches just under a finger in height. It holds up pretty well and drops down good lace.
This beer has one of the most important staples of a sometimes underrated style; the unusual combination of strength and softness. It has gentle but very firm spicing with both somewhat sweet and somewhat savory notes to it, a bit kitchen overall with clove, something like white pepper, and lots of white fruits as well as apricots and peaches. A very gentle and easy tartness lies underneath, too. It's also very nicely hopped for a Saison, and finds the right territory as it's not too heavily hopped as too overtake the other aromas and flavors. Light bitterness shows in a green sort of earth and citrus zest.
The mouthfeel is very soft but deep as well, flowing very nicely with a zesty bite to it aside from the consistent crispness. It rolls pretty smoothly along the way.