Salute to Saisons (2025)

Sorry for the lack of clarity but yes. The only source i am aware of in the WNC/Upstate SC area is Total Wine in Greenville, SC. Will definitely have to pick up the next visit to Greenville.

 

Right you are! I discussed Blackberry Farm Classic Saison in a past NBW thread in a blind side-by-side tasting with my homebrewed Saison:



"Overall

Left: Very good – excellent.

Right: Ditto

These two beers are quite similar; both very tasty. I preferred the flavor profile and mouthfeel of the Left beer but I am very happy to drink them both.

OK, time for the reveal. Drum roll please:

The Left beer was Jack’s Homebrewed Saison and the Right beer was Blackberry Farms Classic. I would highly recommend the Blackberry Farm Classic to those of you who enjoy the Saison beer style."

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-weekend-28.654508/#post-7165237

Cheers!

P.S. On a related note sometime next week I will be brewing my annual batch of Saison. A great beer style to brew in the summertime since Saison yeast is heat tolerant.

 

OK, a few things to unpack here.

Yes, there are some breweries who will secondary ferment with Brett for their Saisons but in my experience this is not the norm. Most breweries utilize a ale yeast strain that is specialized for Saison, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticusa, a POF+ yeast strain. You can read more here:

https://www.morebeer.com/articles/Saison_Beer

As regards brewing with Brett there are a number of strains which could be utilized with varying flavor profiles depending on each strain (and brand) and also with the variable on how they are utilized (e.g., as a secondary fermentation). I can understand that "band-aid" could be undesired but not all Brett'ed beers will have this aspect. You can learn more here:

https://www.morebeer.com/articles/Brettanomyces

Cheers!

 

Did you read my linked article about Saison? There are lots of 'stories' about the origin of Saison beers.

'Modern' Saison is typified by Saison Dupont, first brewed in the 1920's, which is not a low gravity beer. It would seem that 100+ years of Saison Dupont history is heavily influential for brewing Saison beers today.

Cheers!

 

With round 1, enjoyed a lovely twist on the traditional Saison style from Zebulon Artisanal Ales in Weaverville, NC, this brewed with pilsner malt and tangerine peels. Well done, rated 4.26.

Had to follow up with another Saison with round 2.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Reviving the thread with this really good buckwheat "country beer" from Suarez - full review here and in NBW #276 (4.31/5) - cheers!

 

Suarez is a great brewery I was fortunate to try at Monk’s Cafe in Philly. Wished we could get their offerings, including at FOBAB which sadly they won’t be here this year.

Thanks for sharing

 

Love me the classic Saison DuPont, Hennepin, and Brooklyn's Sorachi Ace

 

Let’s spread the love with a cross-post from the Mid-Atlantic thread…

Farm Fresh - Ommegang

This one has been hanging around, which has worked out well. Nice floral funk to contrast a 17yo Wisconsin Cheddar “born on 02 Oct 2008. And a little drama to go with the Sturm und Drang outside tonight.

 

Grabbed a couple more obscure bottles of Fantome yesterday (30% off all import beers at one of my locals). This is the "Dark Tripel" version, which while ostensibly a saison, clearly leaves all stylistic considerations behind. Cross-posting in NBW #277, full review here and there (3.64/5).

 

Farm Fresh - Ommegang

Real nice Farmhouse funk. A bit fruity, but the big takeaway is the mineral qualities. For my opinion this is more like a Grisette than a standard Saison. I’m getting wet clay along with coriander, straw, and cornbread in the nose. Flavor is very dry, light sweetness up front gives way to light bitterness in the finish. This is a welcome comfort after a long day of yard work.

First pour is clear, second has the yeast haze along with fine particles in suspension. The second pour subdued the aroma, adding clove and allspice. Flavors were more nuanced with grains, yeast, and watercress. Feel is softer and less metallic. Let’s ignore that “cheese” pairing.

 

Sensibility - Blackberry Farms / Stillwater

Given the mixed fermentation, and impact on the beer, this should be categorized in the Speciality Saison category. It has a nice tartness and herbal aroma with oak. The flavor carries this forward adding orange, lemon pith, currants, and coriander. A light to medium body and texture that transitions from soft neoprene to sharp nylon as it warms. Pleasantly dry throughout.

The Dorset Sharp cheddar is a mistake, as it neutralized the beer and I stopped the pairing after the first couple of sips. Oh darn, now I will just have to enjoy the cheese for its own qualities, which includes fine crystallization within the buttery nuts and tangy sharpness.

 

My neighborhood wine store has a few draft beers that are usually interesting. Currently they have Saison Dupont on tap. I've been neglecting this one.