Highest Sun
Duality Brewing

Also a can from Uptown Market! Always some nice surprises in the coolers there. This one pours a very clear yellow-gold, almost amber. A nice white head rises up fast and disappears almost as quickly, just a little lacing left around the edge. Nose is subtle but says "Belgian" right away: some faint esters, maybe pear, but not bubblegummy at all. A rustic graininess comes through, too -- maybe a hint of oak? Don't know if I'd pick that up if it didn't say so on the can.

First sip is interesting -- it's like the base beer carries all that was showing in the nose, in a good way, but the fig leaf dominates with an unusual flavor, sort of a vanilla sweetness that coats the mouth a little, though the beer itself comes across as quite dry. Lively carbonation adds to that sense of dryness and a little carbonic acidity at the end, though that sweet fig leaf persists even further, ending in a grounding hop bitterness I did not see coming. All inviting, rather insisting upon, another sip.

A few sips in, I'm finding it comes across as more of a blonde than a saison, though it is nicely dried out. A little alcohol warmth comes through as the beer itself warms, but it's still refreshing in a unique way.

Really interesting, and I'm glad I tried it. Can't say I'm expecting toasted fig leaves to catch on as the next big thing in craft brewing, but love the fact that we've got brewers like this with imagination & the willingness to experiment, along with the brewing chops to turn out a perfectly executed beer. Looking forward to trying more from them.

Can from Uptown Market. 6.8% fig lead version.

A clear light amber with a dense white head with good retention and lacing. The nose is a blend of expressive saison yeast and Brett funk, fruity, floral, notes of oak, light toast. Light grain, soft base malt, light dough and cotton candy. The palate opens spritzy and fruity with pear, honeydew, maybe a light fig note. Very expressive yeast, spicy, floral and fruity. Drying, mildly tannic finish. No acidity, though I do wonder if my nose is wrong in picking up funk. Tasty!