Biere De Miele
Portsmouth Brewery

Biere De MieleBiere De Miele
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From:
Portsmouth Brewery
 
New Hampshire, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.09 | pDev: 8.8%
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
22
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 31, 2013
Added:
Aug 20, 2009
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by joepais:
Photo of joepais
Reviewed by joepais from Maine

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
I liked this brew. It was served in a pint glass downstairs at the LaPanza lounge. It had a finger worth of off white head that transformed to a light lace. The body of the brew as an awesome caramel color slightly, cloudy as well.

The nose on this thing is big ass honey, but with special honey malt and 35 pounds of wildflower honey. I guess one should expect that. The saison yeast is also present in the nose, with a light floral hop note as it warms.

The flavor mimics the nose to a "T" you get the big honey sweetness up front but there is enough of a hop bitter and spices to keep it from being to coy. I had this brew green (before it fermented) and it reminded me of a nice herbal tea. The spice flavor has mellowed a bit now, they are still there but it was interesting to me how they have changed. It feels to me in my mouth like the lighter side of medium, with good carbonation.

This beer is very sessionable and I have had five glasses of this already. So it drinkability is fine. I think Zach did a great job on a very interesting style. Looking forward to see this as a fixture in the summer rotation
Aug 21, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by ajcormier from New Hampshire

Oct 31, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by deleted_user_127363 from Canada (QC)

Jul 25, 2012
Photo of davey101
Reviewed by davey101 from Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap at the Portsmouth Brewery. 10 oz pour into a snifter. From notes.

A - Dark red body. Two finger off white head. Nice amount of lacing and retention.

S - Dark fruits, apple juice, caramel malts, and funky spice.

T - Candied dark fruits, apple juice, honey and caramel malts. The finish is of spicy yeast and slightly alcoholic. Lingering aftertaste. Light to medium mouth feel with a nice amount of carbonation.

O - I really enjoyed this beer. I really don't see how it falls under the saison category though. It has some of the hay and funk associated with saisons, but the dark fruits and honey sweetness makes it seem almost like a dubbel.
Jun 09, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by ILiveOffHops from New Hampshire

May 31, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by raythealeman from Connecticut

May 28, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by TotallyHosed from Illinois

Mar 28, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by phingdong from New Hampshire

Feb 01, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by Miamilice from Virginia

Dec 05, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by DoctorB2B from Virginia

Dec 02, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire

Nov 26, 2011
Photo of scottfrie
Reviewed by scottfrie from California

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle into snifter. Thanks for sharing, Anthony.

A: Pours a dark iced-tea amber with a finger of dark tan head that faded into a thick film that held good retention and left a decent amount of spotty lace.
S: Light hay smell, sweet fruits, peach, apricot, lemon, apple juice and red grapes. Fruity.
T: Apple juice, caramel, grapes, hay-like with a honey sweetness. Vinous in the finish.
M: Medium-thick body, slick mouth, drying finish and frothy carbonation.
O: Good flavor, sweet, dry, and easy to drink. Thanks again, armock.
Sep 08, 2011
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours reddish amber.

Nose is exposed to some fruit and lite spice.

Flavorful brew with notes of some smoke, sweet malts, pepper and smooth honey undertones.

Complex and easy drinking, malts present, with nice floral, sweet and lightly smoked notes. Quality creation and well worth seeking out.
Aug 20, 2011
Photo of Sean9689
Reviewed by Sean9689 from Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On-tap at the brewery.

A - Pours a darker orange/yellow color, white head, thin cap, thin collar.

S - Light funk, malts, wheat, slightly fruity, some spice.

T - Doesn't quite taste like a Saison to me? Malty sweetness, subtle fruit, some funk, touch of hops, caramel.

M - Light body, good carbonation, easy to drink.

O - Not quite sure what to think of this one. Didn't really think it tasted much like a Saison, but still, enjoyable and refreshing. I think I'm spoiled because of all the Hill Farmstead Anna I've drank as of late.
Jul 21, 2011
Photo of tigg924
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.97/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: gold in color, clear, minimal head, low carbonation

Smell: honey and Belgian spices

Taste: honey, apple, caramel, alcohol, and some Belgian spices

Mouthfeel: sweet, medium carbonation, light bodied

Overall: A nice a light but very complex Belgian brew. This is a saison my wife who is a picky beer drinker loved. I was looking for a bottle of this to take home and would certainly drink this again.
Jun 21, 2011
Photo of mmmbeer
Reviewed by mmmbeer from Massachusetts

3.67/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz. bottle purchased at the brewery. This brew is a crystal-clear dark amber, with medium carbonation and a small head that reduces to nothing. Grainy cereal maltiness, light phenols, and a touch of earthy yeast in the bouquet. Toasty and caramel malts are a touch sweet, blending with fruity/earthy yeast, spicy phenols and a mild noble hop tingle on top of a medium, fairly carbonated body that imparts a dry finish. This tastes like it has the grain bill of an altbier, but is fermented with Belgian yeast. And while there is little noticeable honey in this beer, it is well-made and pretty easy to drink.
Oct 17, 2010
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
a: Thisw as a chill-hazed, dark golden copper color. It poured with a big bubbled head that quickly faded to a thin film.

s: Soft and inviting nose on this one, complex too. I got honey, apricots, pears, toffee, candied sugar, and a little tart yeastiness.

t: This strikes an excellent balance between lightly sweet and mildly tart and spicy. A lot of different fruit flavors come out of this. At various times I got impressions of cherry, apricot, pears, peaches, apples, and even a little banana. Combine that with the honey and dry, spicy yeast notes, and you have a beer that works on a lot of different levels.

m: My first instinct was to call this under carbonated. I found myself enjoying this so much though, that I'm forced to change my mind. The carbonation is very gentle and maybe I would have liked this even more had it been stronger. Regardless, my first impression did not distract from my overall enjoyment.

d: I was really sad to see the empty glass. One of the most interesting and fun to ponder sessionable beers I've tried. Big thanks yet again to joepais for another treat from Portsmouth.
Nov 21, 2009
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.92/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
What the hell do we have here? I am not really entirely sure what to make of this one, but I am going to best. Served in an oversized pint glass and consumed on 10/29/2009.
 
The pour was a nice light brown color, nice and rich with a smooth and even texture to it and a light amount of haze. A nice and small cap of off white then came up and over the top and settled down with some nice side glass lacing. Aroma was tart and sour, not what I was expecting. Hints of grape skins and sour apples are layered over a nice touch of light grain and a decent bready note as well. Warming brings out some fresh flowery aromas and some more barnyard funk, but as I take the first sip that ripe tartness hits the tongue instantly and really left quite the impression I have to admit. Solid as could be for sure. Sour apples, hints of light fruits, touches of grain and fresh grass all combine to really push forward a very solid ale. Easy to drink with no ABV at all, we surely have a winner here!
 
Overall I was not sure what to make of this one going in but wow was it good. One of the better beers I have had recently period. This is a must get in my book.
Oct 30, 2009
Photo of Reagan1984
Reviewed by Reagan1984 from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had the opportunity to have this nice beer this week at Portsmouth Brewery.

Came in a tulip glass with a finger of off white foamy head. This did dissipate rather quickly and left a thin film. Not much lacing to speak of and little to no visible carbonation. The beer was a mostly clear golden/amber color that did indeed have the look/color of honey.

Aroma definitely clued you into the fact that honey was present in the beer. Sweet with some spice.

Flavor was actually fantastic. Lots of light fruits, white grape, apple along with some toasted light malt flavors. The honey and spice are just enough to provide great depth. The honey is front to back and provides a warming effect in your throat. Really nice.

Delicate mouth feel but still satisfying.

Wonderfully drinkable. Every time I head to Portsmouth Brewery I wish they were closer to my home.
Sep 13, 2009
Photo of sethmeister
Reviewed by sethmeister from New Hampshire

4.17/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Growler poured this afternoon and opened this evening.

Hazy amber body with a thin offwhite head. No lace.

Scent is honey, pear and apple.

Oh this is intriguing. warm honey sweetness. Not too sweet, just a touch. The honey flavor is vivid. Pear and apple. Crisp, sweet. Slightly sour rustic funk I expect from a saison style. Fresh bread. The mildest hint of peppery spice. If a honey crisp apple convinced itself to be a beer it might well be this beer.

Mouth is a coating medium. Very lightly carbonated.

Drinkability is quite good.

Zach, you have a winner here. Nice job! I agree with joepais: this ought to be in the summer rotation.
Aug 29, 2009
Biere De Miele from Portsmouth Brewery
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 22 ratings