Change my mind about Saisons

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by teledeluxe, Jan 10, 2014.

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  1. teledeluxe

    teledeluxe Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Illinois

    I can't seem to get into this style. I try them often when I'm at a brewery or beer bar and am feeling experimental. I'm almost always somewhere between let-down and not wanting to finish the beer.

    Specific ones I can remember (in order of best to least in each category).:
    Likes: Sofie Paradisi, Pepe Nero, Sofie
    Okay: Saison-Brett, CynicAle, Vivant Farmhouse, Rabbid Rabbit, Bam Noir, Coup D'Etat, Saison Rue.
    Dislikes: Tank 7, Saison Du BUFF, Captain Fantasy, Hennepin, Blaugies/Hill Farmstead La Vermontoise

    It has been a long time since I've actually had Saison Dupont. I should probably start there but I'm guessing it just tastes like a slightly better version of what I think of when I think Saison.

    Anybody have any recommendations that I should be able to find relatively easily in my area that might change my mind on the style? Or at least ease me into it?
     
    #1 teledeluxe, Jan 10, 2014
  2. jayrutgers

    jayrutgers Zealot (723) Oct 29, 2011 New Jersey

    You like three of them.

    That means you like Saisons on some level.

    What do I win?
     
    #2 jayrutgers, Jan 10, 2014
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  3. Drankenstein

    Drankenstein Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2013 Kansas

    #3 Drankenstein, Jan 10, 2014
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  4. teledeluxe

    teledeluxe Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Illinois

    3 out of probably 40 isn't a very good ratio.

    Maybe point me in the direction of others I might like based on what I do and don't like?
     
    #4 teledeluxe, Jan 10, 2014
  5. rozzom

    rozzom Pooh-Bah (2,620) Jan 22, 2011 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [obligatory "more for me" comment]
     
    #5 rozzom, Jan 10, 2014
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  6. jayrutgers

    jayrutgers Zealot (723) Oct 29, 2011 New Jersey

    Sorachi Ace is easy to get and delicious.
     
    #6 jayrutgers, Jan 10, 2014
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  7. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Just curious, why are you trying to force yourself to like something you seem to dislike?

    It's okay to not like Saisons or any other style for that matter.
     
    #7 ShanePB, Jan 10, 2014
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  8. Rekrule

    Rekrule Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    Maybe just stick with the ones you know you like and leave it at that. Not everyone is going to love every style.
     
    #8 Rekrule, Jan 10, 2014
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  9. teledeluxe

    teledeluxe Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Illinois

    Not really trying to force myself, per se. The fact that I've liked a couple leads me to believe that maybe there is some commonality (besides GI). Thought maybe someone more versed in the style might be able to steer me in the direction of others in a more methological way than me just randomly trying things. You know, an educated guess.

    A lot of the top examples in this style aren't available in my area. Fantome is though. Maybe I'll give them a shot.
     
    #9 teledeluxe, Jan 10, 2014
  10. LambicPentameter

    LambicPentameter Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2012 Nebraska

    If Saison-Brett and Saison Rue are "okay" and Tank 7 and Hennepin are "dislikes", then I don't think you were meant to like saisons.

    Move on to something else.
     
    #10 LambicPentameter, Jan 10, 2014
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  11. jayrutgers

    jayrutgers Zealot (723) Oct 29, 2011 New Jersey

    Sorachiiiiiii Aceeeeeeeeee.

    Going to keep spamming this until you go try it.
     
    #11 jayrutgers, Jan 10, 2014
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  12. teledeluxe

    teledeluxe Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Illinois

    I do like that hop... I'll give it a shot.
     
    #12 teledeluxe, Jan 10, 2014
  13. superspak

    superspak Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,927) May 5, 2010 North Carolina
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sounds like you like brettanomyces and not traditional saison according to your list. Go find some anchorage beers. Definitely.
     
    #13 superspak, Jan 10, 2014
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  14. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    As far as I know, the only Saison I've had is Lift Bridge Farmgirl - my first thought was, oh, this is kind of lager-ish... but I actually kind of like it...

    (can you tell I'm new here?)
     
    #14 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Jan 10, 2014
  15. bahnfire

    bahnfire Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2011 Vermont

    I would describe myself as a big fan of saisons, but I need to qualify that. I am a huge fan of funky saisons, but generally dislike "normal" saisons. So even as self described saison lover, don't care for many of the saisons out there. Including many of the ones you disliked as well.

    My favorite examples of funky saisons are Arthur/Anna/pretty much anything from HF, Logsdon Oak Aged Bretta/Peche N Brett, and SARA Saison Bernice. If you got any Grassroots Arctic Saison distributed out your way give that a whirl. It was bottled back in May so i has had some time to develop and is considerably better now than it was fresh.
     
    #15 bahnfire, Jan 10, 2014
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  16. wrycon

    wrycon Zealot (637) Apr 22, 2009 Minnesota

    This. Recently had Sorachi Ace and Dupont. I prefer Dupont as a truer Saison, but Sorachi Ace is, well, ace and very accessible.

    Also, Surly Cynic is fantastic. I recommend you giving that another try, when / if you can get some.
     
    #16 wrycon, Jan 10, 2014
  17. gory4d

    gory4d Maven (1,489) Apr 14, 2007 Texas

    Maybe the Saison duPont Dry Hopping.
     
    #17 gory4d, Jan 10, 2014
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  18. BeerWizard

    BeerWizard Pundit (889) Dec 22, 2012 Colorado

    Representing Colorado, Great Divide does their Collette saison in a sixer which I like quite a bit and buy pretty regularly. I don't usually buy large format but I thought Funkwerks saison was very good, and it is pretty reasonably priced for the 750. Definitely smaller distro from Funkwerks, though.

    It's been a while but I remember liking Tank 7, which you said you didn't like. I think that one's pretty universally liked as far as saisons go though, so you might want to give that one another shot!
     
    #18 BeerWizard, Jan 10, 2014
  19. wrycon

    wrycon Zealot (637) Apr 22, 2009 Minnesota

    This. Recently had Sorachi Ace and Dupont. I prefer Dupont as a truer Saison, but Sorachi Ace is, well, ace and very accessible.

    Also, Surly Cynic is fantastic. I recommend you giving that another try, when / if you can get some.
     
    #19 wrycon, Jan 10, 2014
  20. DOTU

    DOTU Pundit (775) Feb 11, 2011 California

    You already responded to that you don't feel like you're forcing yourself, but I have a pretty similar take on saisons to yours and I am perfectly fine with that. I like funky and full-on sour ales but I don't like bland saisons or other bland Belgian styles. They just don't do anything special for me, even if they are tasty for what they are. Without some serious brett action or some spice/fruit flavor that is interesting, I just skip them. I'm not less of a beer drinker because of it, I just have preferences among beer styles like anything else in life. /philosophical exposition
     
    #20 DOTU, Jan 10, 2014
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