Why so few exported Belgian Saisons in US?

It could just be me, I don't like the style, generally speaking, but there are a ton of US breweries doing this style well. Why import something you can get easily in the states? Why not, besides age, see a bunch of euro IPAs?

 

Actually, any newish Belgian brewery that labels one of their beers as a saison, probably has their sights on America or American influenced drinkers.

 

I'm noticing a disconcerting recent trend of you mentioning HF or Shaun in basically every post, usually followed with a copious amount of exclamation points. I'm concerned.

EDIT: Full disclaimer, I am drinking an Anna right now. It's no Arthur but it's better than Florence which I thought sucked.

 

16 years ago I lived in Germany, and went to Belgium fairly often. There were not many Saisons on the shelves back then. Probably more now, but many more Strong Goldens and Triples and so on.

Anyone have a breakdown by style in Belgium?

 

No real numbers, but my memory from a visit to Brussels 3-4 years ago is consistent with yours. E.g., neither The Bier Tempel nor The Beer Planet had many on offer. The smaller shops were even less likely to have them.

 

A few years ago there were several highly rated ones that were Belgian, but many were from Fantome (and Dupont).

 

There are plenty of available imported Belgians available on the shelf in all styles if you look for them. I have a lot of Belgian imports on my review list that have 100 reviews(including blank ratings) or less. No one buys them(mostly because of steeper pricing). $20+ a 4 pack for an import; vs $12 for your normal Ommegang or Unibroue examples and others. That is why American examples dominate those lists on BA.

 

They weren't MIA, but they are outnumbered on the shelves by blonds, ambers, abbey beers and the like.
I found: Blaugies, Fantome, Cazeau, Dupont, Urthel, Vapeur, Novabirra

 

How many of those Belgian beers are Saisons, vs the other Belgian styles?

 

Back when I had Saisons from Silly and Regal. Maybe Vapeur. I think Urthel is newer, actually found Phantome when I repatriated.

 

Well, since you sort of asked -
The American bottled saisons that I am most fond of are: Tank 7, Logsdon Bretta, Mystic, Jack D'Or, Southampton Saison Deluxe, Stillwater Cellar Door, Victory Helios. The majority of these are in a large bottle format (and the 12oz ones come in 4 packs). I know your distaste for this format. Who could blame you? I can't afford to buy these frequently. The imported Belgian saisons I like over here are at the same price point. I wish there were more American saisons in six packs that I enjoyed as much, but I have yet to try something that I feel is a substitute for me. If I want a sixer, I'll grab Two Roads' Worker's Comp, but it's not really gonna scratch my itch. I should revisit Sofie and Hennepin one of these days. Helios is a good value in the list above, but I rarely see it on the shelves around here. Given it's quality, Dupont at $11 a 750 feels like a bargain compared to most American 750s... so "ludicrous" feels like it's too strong a word, but that's partially because I'm not as capable of resisting the big pricey bottles as you. Good for you for your convictions. Maybe I'm a victim of my own preferences?

 

Frankly, the majority of the Saison beers I consume are my homebrewed Saisons, in 12 ounce bottles.

“The American bottled saisons that I am most fond of are: Tank 7, Logsdon Bretta, Mystic, Jack D'Or, Southampton Saison Deluxe, Stillwater Cellar Door, Victory Helios. The majority of these are in a large bottle format (and the 12oz ones come in 4 packs).”

I have not had the Logsdon beer you mentioned but I have enjoyed the other beers you list. I prefer to not purchase large format bottles but I will buy Helios from time to time since my local retailers price this bomber more reasonably (less than 5 bucks). Tank 7, Stillwater and Sophie do come in 4-packs. I do wish they were in 6-packs but….

The beers mentioned above in 4-packs are substantially less expensive then Belgian imported Saison (e.g., a 4-pack of Saison Dupont which is priced > 20 bucks).

I have no idea when was the last time I bought packaged Saison Dupont, maybe over 5 years ago? I do purchase draft Saison Dupont when I see it on tap.

Cheers!

 

i live in germany, visit belgium from time to time, and saisons are still kind of rare. in a normal delhaize you are more likely to find a belgian ipa than a saison...
i think most people in belgium get the same you would get from a saison from more well known golden ales,think of duvel or la chouffe.