Salute to Saisons! (2023)

Bissell Gin-chanted Forest: Saison brewed with spruce tips aged in gin barrels. The spruce and citrus jump from the glass. Huge notes of grapefruit, juniper, sour patch kids, and vanillin. Medium plus acidity. A bit of nail polish on the back end. Would love a little more balance but it’s fun to drink.

 

From the source, canned 5 April 2023. A light low ABV Saison, lemony earthy spicy. This is made with Chamomile and aged hops. Not sure what Chamomile taste like or aged hops for that mater but I am enjoying this beer with grilled squash and thighs with Peri Peri sauce and roasted taters.

Just chilling outside after a day of working in the yard.

Enjoy

 

Some people will report apple-like, other will say floral. Does any of these terms ‘ring a bell” with you here?

Cheers!

 

Chamomile is pretty unique, I could understand why someone would give "floral" and "apple" as descriptors. It's a very common tea herb, if you've got a place in your area that sells bulk herbs or bulk teas you could buy a couple cups worth for a dollar or so. A Cafe that serves herbal tea would certainly have cups available as well.

Lambic makers claim they use them for their antimicrobial properties without imparting any significant flavors. Should be just a bit of generic bitterness

 

Does this count as a Saison, just because of the yeast?

Kveik Red - Rebel Sailor

The long hunt for a Kveik beer has finally been rewarded. Picked-up the Kveik Red and their Norwegian Saison, both with Kveik yeast. Temptation to use the horn is barely contained.



The Kveik Red is chuck full of Maillard influences. The head slowly transformed to rocky, then sea foam, leaving a thick cake of lacing behind. Sweetness edged out bitterness, both mild. Floral, nutty, lightly toasted malt. Prune, honey, and faint smoke in the aroma, with only the honey translating into flavor. Mustiness carries from the first sip and builds in a long modest finish. Warmth allows all of the caramelized nuances to shine.

While less exotic than hoped, this beer is definitely worthy. Two dorky thumbs WAY UP for Kveik Red!

Norwegian Saison should be a good measure, regarding Kveik Red’s categorization as a Saison. Tune in tomorrow for the conclusion. Well, at least my ruling on the question.

 

Proper viking glassware right there - skål!

 

Norwegian Saison - Rebel Sailor



WOWza! This one is just as exotic as hoped for. The long lived head slowly turns rocky, forming a pillow before eventually settling to a thick blanket. Sticky lace coats the glass. The aroma, old leather with a funky floral body, followed by clove and bubble gum and bread dough. Warmth reveals mild wood smoke and tar. Flavor is earthy with a balance of mild bitterness against sourness, quickly followed by sweetness a full step higher. Wheat bread, sun tea, and some kind of earthy fruit. Warmth elevates the sourness, although still light, and brings out roquefort cheese. The finish is long, with a mild zing to it. Medium body, stiff/slick texture. Alcohol about as expected, and modest fizzy carbonation.

There is no question about it, this beer will be polarizing, with me singing its praises. Definitely hope to pickup some more soon. As for the horn, well it will have to wait, probably for my next visit to the brewery. THAT should be fun!

oh, and as for the status of Kveik Red? Maybe not a true Saison. Maybe. How’s that for being definitive?

 

Suarez Slow Bustle: Country Beer w/ Local Honey. As good as I would expect from them. Fluffy carb. Apricot preserves, lemon peel, clove, w/ a vibrant but balanced acidity.

Happy Saison Day!!!

 

Absolutely true, although I only know Belgian Saisons and it is not my favorite style.
(Belgian) Benchmark Saison and THE Saison par excellence is Saison Dupont and this is something I truly love tasting. All other Saisons are way too spicy for me: I dislike (too much) ginger, cardamon, curaçao, coriander in beer.
Are American Saisons less spicy than Belgian Saisons?

 

American Saisons come is a wide range, VERY wide. It’s a curse, and a blessing. The range allows for experimentation and discovery. The cost is that the style starts to lose distinctiveness and there is a higher rate of “misses.” Being one who appreciates discovery, the misses don’t bother me, and I can appreciate them for their own merit.

The Kveik Red, mentioned above, for example. As a Saison, it is a miss, and probably should be classified as something else, but what? A Red Ale with special yeast, maybe? Then again one might object to a Red Ale with the unique characteristics brought on by the Kveik. As a beer of its own merit, it is interesting and quite enjoyable on all levels.

 

This Amber Saison is a delight
Do good
Cheers

 

Really enjoying this one - full review here (4.37)

 

How very true! I overlooked this one.

 

Discussing dinner prep with Anna Motueka
Cheers all

 

Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale is so damn good

 

Insanely clear, for any beer, but for a Saison, so very pretty!

 

A bit of Plum today
Cheers all

 

Cross post from WBAYDN. Blackberry Farm Harvest Farmhouse Ale 6.3%. I love BF Saisons. Wish I had a store close by that kept them in stock.

Made with spelt, rye and oats. This one is spicy with a silky mouthfeel. Nice malt backbone. Restrained bitterness. No date on the bottle but it's probably at least two maybe three years old. Still enjoyable.

 

Not sure what SARA did with the malt bill here, but I'm quite impressed by this one - nose is superb. Review here and in NBW#147 (4.52).