Santé Aux Fous
Loose Screw Beer Co. - Downtown Brewery Taproom

i have been a rather outspoken critic of the overly clean, american saison, basically just belgian type blonde ale, estery and generic, often with french saison yeast, these too clean ones that lack rustic fermentation uniqueness have never been enjoyable to me, but this is rather well done, although still thoroughly in that family, and as such, not my type of saison. blonde and unfiltered looking but still light, especially for its abv, patchy white head on top with a slow fade. its got some spiciness in aroma and flavor, not quite phenolic but definitely fermented warm, white wine, green pear, flowers from the grocery store, and green grape, not totally unique, but not over the top and dominant either, and there is enough nuance with a little clove and white pepper spiciness to it that it stands out as different enough to not be the same old beer weve all had way too many times. the malt is real pale, wheaty and simple, dry, not agricultural or raw or distinct in any way, but of the right weight and dryness for this, and the alcohol is not exposed at all for this being a little stronger. i think this objectively well done, but its so unexciting, i just need more from the style. i still every single time, even when i know this is what it will be, get excited to see saison on small brewery menus, i always know this is coming, but i do it anyway in hopes of the nearly impossible. this is better than most, but its still the same thing...