Mid Summer Saison
Amsterdam Brewery

It wouldn't be a true Saison if a few drops of sediment didn't manage to cloud up the complexion; the clarity is about as congested as my sinuses come September yet the beer retains its illuminated golden glow. Oh la la. Very impressive. Its head, however, doesn't manage so well; it plunges into the liquid like a shy turtle retreating into its shell.

'Mid Summer' Saison screams 'full summer' to me; strongly zested with a vividly tropical fruitiness, I feel like this beer's brought the sand and the sun with it. All I need now is a beachball. Indeed, few things can brighten a beer like lemon peel and coriander. Fragrantly spicy and bracingly citric, it smells like something off a Thai food menu.

The taste continues with that strong lemongrass flavour, though a fairly heavy maltiness mutes some of the zest and spice. A good amount of fruitiness prevails, albeit dampened by notes of wet straw and cereal grains and an increased amount of dried herbs (thyme especially). It doesn't deliver the flash that the aroma does, but it's tasty stuff.

The beer has such a colourful fruitiness that it often feels juicy, like biting into a particularly ripe orange. I wonder if it comes pulp-free? In all seriousness, I could almost believe it was cut with a little O.J. if I wasn't already aware of the inclusion of lemon peel (and the naturally citrusy qualities of certain varieties of hops). So refreshing!

You wouldn't ever know it from their trite core brands, but the dudes at Amsterdam are tremendously capable and creative brewers. And their adventurous streak has produced some wildly (even unexpectedly) great offerings, this seasoned Saison among them. The longer the brewers' leash, the better the beers. Make this your new (mid) summer seasonal!

 

Appearance: head dissipates to nothing rapidly; hazy gold with orange tinge; minimal activity

Aroma: light lemon; fruit, spice; mildly acidic

Taste & Mouthfeel: loads of spice at first, even receiving the nasal sensation of wasabi; some pucker in the mouthfeel; apricot; in general lacking flavour once past the initial swigs, and feels very flat

Overall: well that was pretty lame, not bad, but completely (well, almost) uninteresting

On tap at Bryden's, into a tulip.

Hazy orange with a white head, good retention and lacing. Nose is floral, with some wheat and gentle coriander and similar spicing. Light citrus notes, Taste has some light wheat, coriander, citrus zest/peel and even some yeast that provide a touch of funk perhaps. Full feel and higher medium carbonation. A really simple, tasty and well executed saison.