A Salute to Saisons (2020-2021)

Yeah, @zid and I were discussing the similarities and differences between Dupont and d'Erpe-Mere a couple of weeks ago. I was even inspired to do a direct comparison one night:

Both were stellar in their own way, but the bottom line is that Dupont was more broad and stately, while the d'Erpe-Mere was simultaneously lighter and more expressive. I also described it as 'fresh and zippy' the first time around.

Having more of a floral hop character definitely plays into that quality, but De Glazen Toren gets more character out of the yeast as well. But it never becomes obnoxious with that heavy spice and dried apricot like I've experienced before with certain American saisons.

All that being said, I still think I give the edge to the Dupont, and that almost austere stately character (where you can drink a 750ml and still be in the mood for another ).

 

Todd dealing heat on a summer night!

 

No outer range ones floating around your fridge?

 

Well, here goes my contribution to the Saturday Saison thread!

This is an old beer from a brewery that I rarely ever see and have never heard about from anyone locally. They might only have a few beers in the market here, and I've only seen this and one other 750ml beer from them in a different shop during my several years beer shopping in Boston. This is a really odd and interesting sounding beer that I felt the need to pick up. This is a farmhouse ale brewed with whole bean coffee from Saint Somewhere in Florida, called Caroline.


Found a new picture spot, not the best lighting but it will work for now. After sitting out for a little while from it's cold overnight refrigeration, I felt it was time to pop. Seeing the cork, it appears this is a 2015 vintage bottle. Right on, let's do this!

The beer pours a hazy golden yellow held up to light, with a creamy frothy white foam head with decent retention. Up to the glass right away big fresh coffee beans stick out, smells like fresh acidic coffee, fresh coffee bean fruits, a little green bell peppery and vegetal, then some floral saison farmhouse notes, some fruity esters make their way through with mild notes of banana, apricot, a touch of leathery funk, phenolic spice, some pale bready malts, vanilla, wildflowers, and earthy floral herbal hops. Taste is a bit acidic, dry, refreshing, yeasty, with prominent whole bean coffee, acidic coffee fruits, a little vegetal green bell pepper, hints of banana, apple, apricot, phenolic black peppery spice, a touch of leather, farmhouse notes, pale bready crackery malts, hint of vanilla, wildflowers, and earthy herbal floral hops. Feels medium-light bodied, creamy smooth and airy with moderate low carbonation. This is a really interesting beer, I think I like it the more I drink it. Good for a brunch saison too, with the coffee beans in it. Glad I saw this recently when searching through my beers and made an effort to drink it.

I wasn't really prepared for this event and don't know how many saisons I still have on hand at this point, other than some wild ones which I might join in with next week. I can always get some fresh ones too if needed, though lately I've been trying to trim my stock down before I purchase more beer again. I have a feeling soon I'll have to do something though because I've been hankering for a fresh lager or something lighter since I'm out of fresh IPAs and lagers right now. I've been mostly consuming sours, stouts and some strong beers lately. I could go for some more refreshing beers like a fresh saison. Cheers everybody, and happy #SaisonSaturday!

 

Try asking some retailers to pick up a beer from them you like that is available. Unless they left the market they should be available. I think retailers don't order the beers because not many people in Mass know them or want 750ml saisons for $17. Maybe if they had more promotion there would be more demand. If there is a store you go to that is willing to pick up a special case for you if you buy a couple bottles or whatever, ask them what's available from Saint Somewhere right now. They are distributed by Shelton Brothers, and it looks like if you are in the Boston area Longbow distribution company is who distributes them, so ask a retailer who orders from Longbow. Cheers!

 

Thanks. Dupont is my favorite saison, so I’m glad to hear that De Glazen Toren is at least in the ballpark. Expected as much, was just curious what you guys thought.

 

Blend 15/16 is drinking A-mazingly. Smooth oak vanillin, juicy stone fruit, citrus and cheese rind.

I know I’ve said this before, but Oxbow’s house mixed culture/spon beers are so distinct in aroma and flavor. I feel like there are only a handful of American producers that you can say that about.

Cheers!

 

Ditto to everything. If you ever get a chance to hit up Off-color one day, you should. Their space is amazing.

I’ll throw in Jester King and Green Bench for outsiders.

Lol Someday when the world’s not on fire, we should get a Saison together.

 

Well, the grocery store I stopped at with a solid beer selection had precisely zero saisons. Maybe next week

 

Homebrew using Omega Jovaru yeast (Lithuanian farmhouse), heavy late hopping with Loral and Crystal.

Much clearer than any saison I've made using a more traditional yeast, even with 33% wheat. Floral, lemon and grapefruit zest, light bubblegum/banana, a little peppercorn, and hay in the aroma. Lemon rind and floral flavor without tasting like the guest soap, just a hint of pepper, hay, bready malt. Finishes clean and dry.

The Jovaru is interesting, and I like that it allows hops to shine more than a traditional saison yeast would, but I would like a bit more phenolics and a touch more esters.

 

Have you ever used drizly or a similar delivery app? I'm not sure how far it stretches, but you could go on the website and type in your address to see if any stores around you deliver beer. I looked on the app yesterday and I saw a few more places near me started using it now that more people are staying home. I almost bought a bunch of stuff, dark lagers, oktoberfests, saisons, but then I remembered how much beer I still have and how it's probably not a good idea to get a bunch of fresh beer again right now since I'm trying to get my cellar count down. You could call up some stores or check on their websites to see if they deliver and ask if they have any saisons or beers you like in stock. Cheers!

 

Just drank an Allagash Violette. Solid beer and it’s nice to find a new localish saison.

Saturdays are the best day and adding saisons in is almost unfair to the other days. It’s like when the Warriors signed Kevin Durant.