Black Saison
The Hidden Mother Brewery

 

a league better than their pale farmhouse saison, a little more context for the yeast, maybe even fermented with a different strain or at a cooler temperature, it seems less estery, less sharp, less familiar, and with the roast from the darker grain this just has a whole lot more going on with it, and i like that in a farmhouse ale, need it even. matte black look to this from the tap, sort of a chalky shade, nice and deep but not really sedimented or anything, and holding a better head than their regular saison. it smells like hickory bark, espresso beans, raisins, and a little vinous twang from the yeast, earthy and layered on the grain side with more than just dark barley, this might have some dark wheat in it too, and plenty of middle tones too, chocolate malt and nutty perhaps european crystal malt vibes too, whatever all is in here, it comes together nicely, and its good and dry in the taste. the flavor has good balance between yeast and grain without any lingering bitterness from the roast or phenols from the yeast, its quicker and cleaner than that, even light for its color with the high carbonation also helping. its drinkable and refreshing, still not as rustic or funky as i generally prefer, but enough character to be fully entertaining. quite well made, i love black saison, not enough of them out there. a brett pitch and some wine barrels might set this off!