Chill Winston Grisette
Great Lakes Brewery

 

 

 

On tap.
A beautiful fine white head on a very clear but not brilliant beer. This is a nice style that not many brew so am really happy to see it. The aroma is quite mild, as is the taste. A wit yeast may be been used rather than a saison strain. Not particularly crisp and the body is a bit full.
Overall: I'll try this again next year in the warmer months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

hazed blonde colour, one finger of white head, bit of lace as well. Smell is fruity and spicy, yeast with a light funky tartness, wheat with some fruity orange citrus notes throughout, quite clean on the nose. Taste is yeasty with a light spice, some corriander, orange and lemon flavours, tart fruits, dry throughout and into the finish, yeasty aftertaste. Light dry carbonation, light feel. Solid and easy drinking, could drink several of these over the course of a hot day, my only complaint is that the mouthfeel is insubstantial but really nice otherwise.

 

 

650 ml bottle from the brewery. Poured into antique stemmed tumbler.

Very clear, bright lemon yellow colour. Large bubbles on the sides of the glass when first poured. One inch medium, white head. A steady stream of carbonation bubbles. Good, heavy lacing.

The aroma is strong lemon and pepper. Quite yeasty.

A complex taste. Lemon and pepper again with a touch of sweetness. Herbiness of oregano and hay.

A light, crisp feel.

A refreshing drink. Very flavourful for a low alcohol ale.

Great Lakes Chill Winston is almost neon yellow in colour but yields absolutely no transparency despite that it's bright as a sign on the Vegas strip. It looks as light as it actually is (3.8% alcohol). Despite the low-gravity, however, it generates a good sized head.

The label portrays a pseudo-Rastafarian hippie type, but the contents of the bottle are far more funk than reggae. It smells and tastes like the beer's been cut with lemon juice; the tartness is fairly mild on the palate but has an almost cider vinegar-like tang on the nose.

Whether Grisette should be considered a style in its own right is up for debate, but regardless, it really does resemble a mini Saison. It's all in the yeast. Belgian yeast is probably the most distinctive ingredient of any used in the brewing process - its fruity esters and peppery phenols often overshadow even the most fragrant of spices.

And while it's notoriously aromatic, it also has quite a flavour presence too. On top of the apple and pear notes and savoury herbaciousness, it also strongly conjures to mind fresh-baked bread (an impression obviously enhanced by the honeyed cereal grain flavours of the malt). The taste is saturated in lemony citrus and a hint of ginger.

Chill Winston Grisette is indeed a beer you could "chill" with for an afternoon; it has a lower alcohol content and moderate flavour that is conducive to such an activity. On the same hand, however, it's those same simple, light qualities that made me bore of it fairly quickly.

 

 

On tap at the Steam Whistle fest. Significant spicy aroma. Cloudy orange. A full mouthfeel. You have to be in the mood for this. Clean, but would be better with food, otherwise a sipper. Something different for this brewery, but sessionable alcohol and flavour.