Bisou (Smoked Saison)
Switchback Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

I tried this beer at the brewery. It poured a clear golden with white head that did leave some lace. The scent had floral hop notes and smoke pizzazz. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with field flower base and smoke accent. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a good beer.

they have a whole series of smoked beers in here, so cool, i didnt know anyone in the states aside from maybe hammerheart was this into it, i was stoked to see this level of innovation here, and liked all of the beers with smoke that we had when we were in. this is a cool saison, stronger as they go, with some smoked malt in it, and also with pink peppercorns and orange zest, a truly unique beer. i do wish the yeast was a little more rustic or funky, i feel like those characteristics would really work in well here, but instead its a too clean french saison type with high tone white wine and pear esters, not enough of the earthiness to compliment the grain. the smoke is complex here, more than one type of smoked grain i think, but its not overwhelming, just interesting, really well proportioned in here, an obviously intelligent brew here. the pink peppercorn adds a light summery floral note, a rose hip essence, and the orange is bitter like hops might be more than overtly citrusy, but it works. there is a delicate vibe to this despite it being stronger, hard to do with a smoked beer, and it seems summery somehow too, even though i associate smoke beer with fall and winter mostly. nice carbonation and attention to detail here. a different yeast would enhance this, but i liked it a lot, and really support this smoked beer line they are doing!

Bottle to tulip.
The appearance was a burnt yellow to orange color with a chill haze to it. Stiff transparency as some carbonation was seen rising closer to the edges of the glass. Modest finger's worth of white foamy head swiftly slid off delicately. Subtle lace tried to stick to the glass but that slid off.
The aroma had a fabulous balance of sweet smoky bacon/ham character punching at some saison yeasty/Belgian sweet bready character. Some grassy hops with some peppercorn spice.
The flavor leaned towards the sweet smoky side initially but did bring in some grassy hops semi-sweetly but some bitterness was there too. Aftertaste of pure smoky biscuits.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionable sort of strength. Good carbonation. Fairly smooth along my tongue, nothing cloying. The finish had some grip with the meaty/ham/bacon character grinding in with a light touch of dry grassiness.
Overall, smoked saison - you bet! Maybe not as awesome as some of the other Flynn on Fire beers but still one I'd have again.