Rhubarb Saison
The Vermont Pub & Brewery

 

 

another one of their canadian brewery collaborations. this saison is stained pink with rhubarb (juice?) and is accented with black pepper. a very well thought out brew that i think is also really well executed, but the saison yeast is a little lame. the beer isnt as dry as it could be, and the funk level just isnt there, its almost more like a session belgian from a yeast perspective, but the flavor compatibility of the rhubarb and the pepper could not be higher. its enormously delicious and extremely refreshing, with the pepper just coming up to cut the tartness in the finish, subtle but i couldnt imagine it without it. carbonation in this one is upbeat, a nice change up from some of the more relaxed feeling brews at this place. although it was chilly and pouring rain when we had this, i must say it still screamed summer beer all the way. not enough good rhubarb beers out there, this is one of the better uses of it i have come across.