Black Saisons

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by CNRowland, Feb 1, 2016.

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  1. CNRowland

    CNRowland Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2015 Illinois


    Noir du Fermier will be released at 4pm on 2/5 in the Perennial tasting room. $25 / btl. Allocations based on turnout... Noir du Fermier is our first black saison. A variation on Saison du Fermier, this Missouri Saison was aged in red wine and used bourbon barrels with our native microflora, creating flavors of mocha powder, black cherries, sweet whiskey with our classic Side Project house character... Cheers!

    In light of this Friday's scheduled release of Noir du Fermier, what is the overall feeling towards black saisons around here?

    I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that while saisons have grown to become one of my favorite styles in recent years, I can't remember having tasted a black saison before. Part of me wonders whether the characteristics I appreciate most in saisons (my favorites are crisp and refreshing... light enough for a hot summer day, but funky, tart, or generally lively enough to stand up to an exotic food pairing) will have as much room to shine in the form of a darker ale. Am I misguided here?

    What are some of the more popular and common black saisons out there?

    I'm sure Cory and the Side Project team have brewed another gem here – they always seem to exceed my already high expectations – I just don't know what to reasonably anticipate.
     
    #1 CNRowland, Feb 1, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2016
  2. cl3

    cl3 Savant (1,244) Aug 16, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Bam Noire from Jolly Pumpkin is super great.
     
    #2 cl3, Feb 1, 2016
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  3. bkbeerdude15

    bkbeerdude15 Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2015 New York

    I happen to love black saisons. Personally, I feel they're an underrepresented style. The most recent one I had was Finback's Missing Time, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
     
    #3 bkbeerdude15, Feb 1, 2016
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  4. phillyhops

    phillyhops Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2014 New Jersey

    Edith is pretty good from Hill Farmstead
     
    #4 phillyhops, Feb 1, 2016
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  5. SABERG

    SABERG Grand Pooh-Bah (5,001) Sep 16, 2007 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Also a favorite here with Edith from Hill Farmstead leading the pack.
    Cheers
     
    #5 SABERG, Feb 1, 2016
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  6. ecpho

    ecpho Savant (1,183) Mar 28, 2011 New York

    A local NY favorite of mine is Canard Noir by Greenport Brewery.
    I think its their Black Duck Porter brewed with saison yeast. Nothing crazy, no barrels - just really good.
     
    #6 ecpho, Feb 1, 2016
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  7. Abbbp

    Abbbp Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 9, 2013 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Man, I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to stand em. I think it's because the first time I had a Black Ale, Wookey Jack, I absolutely hated it. As I progressed and had the opportunity to try other "black" offerings by other breweries, it only gave credence to my disdain. The latest absolute fails in "black" have been from Hill Farmstead - Society and Solitude #2 (I know, I know it's a Black IPA) and Civil Disobedience #16.
     
    #7 Abbbp, Feb 1, 2016
  8. sonoma01

    sonoma01 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2010 Wisconsin

    I need to get a bottle of this!
     
    #8 sonoma01, Feb 1, 2016
  9. PatrickCT

    PatrickCT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,776) Feb 18, 2015 Connecticut

    A local brewery here in CT brews a black Saison. Black Hog Piper Saison. I wasn't told it was dark when I ordered it. Imagine my surprise!
     
    #9 PatrickCT, Feb 1, 2016
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  10. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Pepe Nero from Goose Island is fairly common, I still think it's being made...
    Saison Darkly from Stillwater is a pretty interesting animal as well. The Arcana I had recently from them and their collaboration with Hof Ten Dormaal was similar in this vein as well, but is more stout than saison.
     
    #10 Smakawhat, Feb 1, 2016
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  11. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Stillwater A Saison Darkly
     
    #11 BMBCLT, Feb 1, 2016
  12. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I heard they're gonna stop making it but there are still 2013 vintage 4-packs hanging around. A shame cuz it's the only black saison I truly enjoy. I liked Saison Darkly and the Stone one-off, A Perfect Crime, but all others I've had lean too much to one side, either too much yeast or too much roast. Tough to find balance with the "style"
     
    #12 Immortale25, Feb 1, 2016
  13. alex_delany

    alex_delany Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2015 New York

    Farmstead just bottled Edith (for the second or third time, I think?) a few weeks ago. Snagged a few bottles when I was up there. I have since drank two and am sitting on another. Really great brew, and I'd like to drink more of the style. Any way I can get that malt without necessarily drinking a super heavy body is cool with me.
     
    #13 alex_delany, Feb 1, 2016
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  14. lester619

    lester619 Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2009 Wisconsin

    Once again, I had no idea that was a thing. That happens pretty regularly around here. I'm sure whatever it is it's a good example of it.
     
    #14 lester619, Feb 1, 2016
  15. taylordane

    taylordane Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2015 California

    You kind of have to try them with your eyes closed to judge them like a saison.

    I prefer saisons for their funk and tart character. But I can def get down with the black.

    Saison Noir by Rockmill is a good one. Not hard to find either.
     
    #15 taylordane, Feb 1, 2016
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  16. BradenMK

    BradenMK Pundit (897) Sep 24, 2012 Alaska

    So... what are they really like? I also haven't ever tried one for fear that they will be nothing like the normal saisons I love. Like... if you like a lot of regular saisons, even different ones with minor tweaks, how does the dark malt affect the character of the beer? Is it totally different, or is it really just another minor tweak?
     
    #16 BradenMK, Feb 1, 2016
  17. taylordane

    taylordane Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2015 California

    Some people say they're like a spicy stout. I agree. You might recognize the spice from a regular saison.

    Pretty different though, not just a minor tweak haha.
     
    #17 taylordane, Feb 2, 2016
  18. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not really my favorite style, but Farmhouse Noir from SARA is easily the best one I've tried. Locally, I just tried Saison Noir from Public Brewhouse and enjoyed it, although not as much as their Sasion l'Amite.
     
    #18 afrokaze, Feb 2, 2016
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