A Salute to Saisons! (2022)

I posted the below earlier today in the NBW thread:

Do you like Gin?

I am a fan of Gin. For those of you who do not partake Gin is a clear liquor whose flavor profile is heavily influenced by the botanicals infused during the liquor production. Juniper is the one botanical used but a number of others can/are added as well. For example, Tanqueray 10 has eight different botanicals added: juniper, coriander, licorice, angelica root, chamomile flowers and three kinds of fresh, whole citrus. Every brand of Gin will taste differently due to the differing variety (and relative amounts) of botanicals added.

Which brings us to today’s beer: Lawson’s Saison Aged in Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin Barrels.

Since I am a fan of Gin I have high hopes for this beer but:

· Will the flavors of the base beer (Saison) marry well with the flavor notes imparted by the Barr Hill Gin barrel?

· Is Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin a tasty Gin (I have never had it)?

Below is a short description of this beer from the Lawson’s website:

“After months of anticipation, this magical process has mingled the classic aroma esters of a strong Belgian Saison (inspired by “Avec Les Bon Voeux”) with the earthy and herbal notes of Tom Cat Gin.”

There is also an interesting video available on the website:

https://www.lawsonsfinest.com/lawsons-finest-x-barr-hill/

Who doesn’t like magical!?!



Served in my Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass:

Appearance

A deep golden – amber color with an off-white head.

Aroma

An enticing combination of aromas: some vanilla, some spiciness, some fruitiness, some citrus, some…

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with all of the above flavors matching the aromas. There is a hint of sweetness.

Mouthfeel

Medium body with an off-dry finish.

Overall

This beer is very good. Nothing in this beer specifically says “Gin” to me but the barrel aging definitely added complexity to this beer.

Cheers!

 

Had Jester King’s Year Eleven Anniversary Saison this evening. Think Saison DuPont amped a bit with hops. Very flavorful, very recommended!

 

A wine style glass that is tall and fluted but not belled out much at all like a tulip would be. It is a HF glass.

 

This bottle of Muroise from Oxbow is excellent

4.47/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a brilliant grapefruit color with loads of fizzy white head. Very nice looking. Aroma is excellent Loads and loads of berries but with a farmhouse funk. Close to a 5 on the nose for me. Taste is a little more balanced between the berries and the funk, but both feature prominently. Feel is bright, dry and lively. Some of this is style bias, but I really like this beer. Perfect blend of fruit & funk.

 

x-post with New Beer Weekend #101 thread. This is a great beer to start the weekend with. Fantastic.

4.56/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2019 vintage poured into a HF stem glass. Bright vibrant golden color with plenty of medium density white head that receded to a permanent cap / ring. Aroma is a really nice mix of flowers, lemon, honey, and grassy funk. Definitely multi-layered.

Taste is an explosion of flavor. Lovely balance of honey, grass, funk, yeast, dandelion and more. Can't do it justice with words, Just wonderfully complex. It's sweet, it's tart, it's earthy, and there's a little bit of bite. Crisp, light and well carbonated. Delicious beer.

 

MXD’FRM - Jackie O’s



The glow fades to mildly hazy translucence shortly after the head evaporated, leaving no lace.

The aroma is filled with tart lime and coriander. After a few minutes, the aroma takes on a brine quality with dried hay. Noticeable warmth reveals mild skunkiness.

A fierce, three-way, competition is being waged for prominence between acidity, tartness, and bitterness. Lime takes an early lead, with coriander and grape skins taking control as it warms. Light skunkiness is badgering the combatants all the while, gaining attention with warmth. The finish is more of a calming, long and mild.

The medium body has a hard corse texture, similar to taffeta. Alcohol starts higher than expected then mellows. Fairly dry, with fizzy carbonation.

About halfway down I refilled the glass, allowing yeast to flow. Aside from the expected change in appearance, this tamed the competition and added a prominent Lemmon aroma/flavor, while allowing the coriander to show in the flavor. This is a decent beer, which I am enjoying inside on a hot Summer afternoon. Maybe I’ll read a little while finishing this bottle.

 

Delightful.

 

Wow, I wasn't aware of the collab Oxbow had w/ Brasserie Thiriez. I had the great pleasure of visiting Thiriez in 2018 & getting a one on one brewery tour & several pours in the brewery pub from owner Daniel Thiriez.
The brewery was a small unassuming operation in his back yard & Daniel was such a gracious host! A great beer experience!

 

Had a Honey Saison at Lovedraft's Brewery in Camp Hill, Pa.
I forget it's odd name, but it was pretty solid with a nice faint honey finish.
At 7%, it was the perfect hot summer day brew. I would have had a few more, but I wanted to try the lagers as well. They were also pretty solid
I was impressed, which doesn't happen often in these parts.

 

Has anyone ever had a commercial example of a Rye Saison?
I'm getting ready to brew one but wanted to taste an example or, heh, maybe two to see what to look for in the finished result.
I have come across several recipes, but damned if I can find a brewery that makes one.
It sounds to me like the rye would greatly compliment the spiciness, earthiness & esters that a Saison yeast produces.
I'm surprised that style is not more popular.
Needless to say, I am a big fan of rye in beers of most styles. Just gives them that extra something if done correctly.

 

I have not tasted a Rye Saison but I do think a moderate amount of Rye Malt in the grain bill could indeed be complimentary. I would think that something like having 20% Rye Malt would be a good target and I would recommend that you use a Saison yeast strain which produces a fair amount of esters (fruity flavors) would be an appropriate choice. Do not use WY3211.

Here is a recipe which might provide a model:

https://www.brewingwithbriess.com/blog/high-dry-rye-saison/

This topic was discussed in a past BA thread in the Hombrewing forum:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/rye-saison.182110/

Cheers!

 

Thanks

 

That is actually one of the recipes I have gathered. Looks good to me!

 

I like your drinking vessel!

 

https://pretentiousglassco.com/

 

I believe Saison Rue is a high rye saison - it's tasty, though brewed with Brett: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40927/42434/

I also think spelt makes for a great farmhouse ale if you want to try something different. Commercial example: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/825/3587/