Why do you drink saisons?

Ommegang - Hennepin

 

You can check the top beers in the style here...
http://beeradvocate.com/lists/style/129
Personally I enjoy:
Goose island sofie
GDBC Collette
Anything from crooked stave
Saison and Tropic king from funkwerks
Saison DuPont (pretty much sets the standard for a saison)
Ommegang Hennepin
Any of the Hill Farmstead saisons...

 

Thanks, I'll stop at my local beer store on way home

 

What class is this for? Just curious.

 

I enjoy sassions because they are clean. Generally have a mild earthy to mild sweet presence that makes them easy to drink. On a hot day if you're drinking sassions you generally won't know how drunk you are until you stand up.

 

Excellent post. I had my first Fantome in 2000 and I have been excited about Saisons since. I was already into craft beer, but this pushed it to a new level. It's exciting that there are many breweries in the U.S. that are producing them now, some of which are excellent.

 

I like the champagne like body of this ale. They are good spring and summer time ales. Many times on Hot sunny days IPA are little to much to handle, while on the other hand you want something more than a basic pilsner. Along with heffewiezens, these are good beers to drink in that kind of weather.

 

Saisons and farmhouse beers were originally designed for farmhands to drink and feel refreshed after a days work, if memory serves me correctly. I drink them for the same reason. They're easy to drink, thirst quenching, and still have a good enough kick at around 6-7.5%. They're complex but not too crazy, and they have a unique crispness that keeps you wanting more... or at least the ones I've had do...

 

Our top favorites are identical. Cheers.

 

I like saisons because they are 'digestable' as the Belgians say. For me, the one defining charateristic of a saison is that it must be a very dry beer. If I recall, saison yeasts create more glycerol than other yeast strains, so saisons can still have good mouthfeel while being very dry. Both as a consumer and a homebrewer I also appreciate how much room for expression there is when the only real limitation to the saison category is using a saison yeast.

 

Thanks. As long as I can keep easily getting Logsdon and Upright beers here, I'll stay happy. I haven't had too many saisons from back East yet, but so far these are my two favorite American breweries that focus on the style. (Someone send me some HF brews and prove me wrong! ) Of course I have to my annual fix of Saison-Brett—although I'm starting to believe Seizoen Bretta is as good or better, and less expensive.

 

Saison is my favorite style for numerous reasons. One, it is increadibly versatile and open to interpretation. IMO, as long as a beer is fermented properly with a saison yeast strain, it can be considered a saison. Whether it be on the hoppier side, funkier side, sour side, fruity, the possibilities are endless. On top of that, it's dry and easy drinking, abv is mid-level and well hidden, just an all around amazing style.

I have to say though, I hate the term "farmhouse ale"...just a side not.

 

Starting to believe? That's not even a contest imho.

 

I think it's probably because Saison-Brett (2009 at about 2 years old) was one of the first beers that really, unexpectedly, blew me away. So there's a certain loyalty factor that transcends objectivity. Also, I love the juicy, citrusy quality of Saison-Brett from the dry hopping. Same reason I like Harvest Dance so much.

 

What is your major? What school is this? Do you plan to publish your thesis on BA?

 

Some saisons are almost champagne or dry white wine like and make for a great pairing for many dishes. Although I admit that I prefer to drink saisons in the spring and summer.

I am currently brewing a black cherry saison with brett and a french saison yeast strain. From a brewer's perspective, saison is a great style to use as a blank canvas due to its versatility. I think this versatility and the corresponding variation is probably why people like the style.

 

Tastes great and less filling