Are there low ABV saisons being brewed?

Notch Saison, at 3.8%.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22723/68924

 

“I find that many are very sweet, even sticky (like the one Smuttynose does and Ithaca Ground Break).” I personally have not tried the two beers you mention but a Saison brewed to style should be very dry; a traditional Saison should never be “very sweet”.

I have never personally drunk a lower alcohol Saison. Apparently Stillwater has made a number of Raritea series Sasions that are of lower alcohol (4.2% ABV):

Raritea - Bourbon Vanilla Chai Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 4.13 1

Raritea - Earl Grey Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 3.9 1

Raritea - Emperor's Jasmine Pearls Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 3.9 1

Raritea - Fields Of France Rooibos Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 3.9 1

Raritea - Freak Of Nature Oolong Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 3.68 1

Raritea - Lemonberry Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 4 1

Raritea - Lichi Noir Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 3.85 1

Raritea - Magnolia Blossom Oolong Saison / Farmhouse Ale 4.20 3.63 1

 

A few by Jester King:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24018/75930
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24018/66752
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24018/75575

 

Dupont Avril: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/637/42772

 

I was going to suggest the Jester King Le Petite Prince as well (2.8%). This is exactly what this beer is supposed to be - a flavorful, low ABV beer that could be drunk while still working. From their web site:

"On the subject of working, Le Petit Prince is inspired by the low alcohol farmhouse ales historically brewed in the Wallonian region along the border of northern France and southern Belgium. These ales were brewed in the colder months when temperatures were more conducive to brewing, and then consumed as a source of both hydration and sustenance by farm workers during the warmer growing season."

 

Came here to say this, although it's not my favorite.
Upright Four is 4.5%, and excellent. Perfect for a summer day.
I think you're more likely to find a traditional saison if you look @ Belgian imports. I haven't had many American saisons that can compete.

 

SEPA has a few nice ones coming from Forest & Main and Tired Hands.

 

Green Flash Saison is something like 4.5%. No idea if it makes it to Rhode Island. Is it even bottled?

 

This is now called Saison Diego. It's listed at 4.2%

 

Who needs a low ABV saison when I can have a 7% saison that tastes better?

 

Hill Farmstead posted on Facebook that they will be bottling their wheat grisette Clara soon and that is around 4%. Bottles wouldn't be out until September though. If I remember correctly, Clara is definitely more toward the thrist quenching, light style of saison that the OP is looking for.

 

Avril is delicious, though with the lower ABV and lighter malt profile skunking issues are more noticeable, so watch out for that.

I've bought Avril in Mass, I would imagine it's available in RI, though probably only at specialty stores.

 

I guess I did give it a 4.05, so didn't mean to imply it's not good—just not a favorite. Out here all Dupont beers are still in green bottles, so that might also have had something to do w/ it. Still haven't figured out why Dupont bottles in brown for certain parts of the country and green for others...

OP, you might find Upright Four (and other Upright saisons etc.) on letspour.com. Free shipping if you buy six beers. You just have to watch regularly because I think their inventory is always changing.

 

High & Mighty Pas De Dieux

 

Becomes sometimes you want to enjoy a couple of beers and be able to drive home.

 

This is true. However, Saisons were basically brewed with whatever was left over on the farm, so it became a bit of a catch-all style. Some Saisons are dark, some are light, some are spiced, some are soured. The farm owners weren't necessarily trying to make good beer, just using up left-over ingredients to make something for their workers. Not much thought or care really went into it's production.

This has more to do with the American palate than anything else. Tastes, particularly in the craft community, gravitate towards bigger, bolder, sweeter. The highest rated beers in ALL styles tend to be thicker, sweeter, and higher in ABV. This isn't exclusive to Saisons. This has to do with something I call, "The Pepsi Challenge Effect," but that's a different story for a different day. Historically speaking, Saisons were probably more like 2-4% ABV.

There are tons of good light-bodied Saisons on the market, though, if you look for them. And a ton of them are reviewed extremely well. They just don't have top billing here. Keep in mind, BA ratings have nothing to do with adhering to style guidelines.

 

That implies that stronger beers are inherently better than milder ones. Anyone with a fully-functional brain (or anything who tastes Sam Adams Triple Bock) knows this isn't true, not by a long shot.

 

Over a few hours, a few 7% beers will still put you under the legal limit. If you only have an hour before driving, just drink one beer. Know your (time) limit.