Crabtree's Apricot Cezanne Saison

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by denver10, Sep 29, 2013.

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  1. denver10

    denver10 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,155) Nov 17, 2010 New Mexico
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    Anyone try this one yet?

    No reviews up here but the 2 at RB are both highly critical of it. I know the Peach Saison got lots of love here and I have been really happy with just about every special Crabtree release I have tried (Peach Berliner Weisse, Menage a Trois, Frambo) so I know these guys can make some great stuff, but I also know their regular lineup so know they make some forgettable stuff as well. Knowing they can go both ways, before I buy myself a bottle of this, I want to make sure the stuff is going to be enjoyable.

    Any guinea pigs out there already given this one a try?
     
  2. Bardwashrind

    Bardwashrind Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2008 Colorado

    If you liked the other releases, you should give this one a shot. It has a bit of Ethyl Butyrate on the nose but nothing Butyric. Fruit is there, oak is fairly bold and the tartness is quite pronounced. In line with their other releases, much more enjoyable than Menage but a step down from the Peach version.
     
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  3. denver10

    denver10 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,155) Nov 17, 2010 New Mexico
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    Menage was probably my favorite beer from those guys. I actually loved that beer, even with it being so sweet. Never got around to trying the Peach Saison though, which I really regret.

    But the whole Ethyl Butyrate issue is a bit concerning, even if you say it isn't too much of an issue. I will probably go ahead and try it now, but I might have to make a visit to Tap N Handle or The Mayor to see if they get this one on tap. I would hope with GABF week coming up, this might make a showing at one of these spots.
     
  4. MarkyMOD

    MarkyMOD Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2012 Colorado

    I'm with you on Ménage being awesome, amazing beer. Think you can still get the peach saison at Hazel's if you're down that way. Saw a bunch there a month ago, so I'd imagine there's still a few.
     
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  5. joshclauss

    joshclauss Zealot (725) Oct 31, 2010 Colorado

    Would ethyl butyrate be susceptible to being broken down by the yeast since this beer is refermented in the bottle? My past experience with Crabtree C&C bottles is that they are very active in the bottle, so maybe try one now to see if you like it and keep one a few months to see if it's developed into something a little softer. I recommend the Crabtree saison series. Peach blossom was excellent.
     
  6. Knownfactor

    Knownfactor Initiate (0) Feb 20, 2010 Colorado

    Ethyl Butyrate typically ​gives off flavors of Canned pineapple, mango, papaya, pineapple, tropical fruits. I don't see these flavors leaving the beer because it's either an indicator of bad sanitation/contamination or a by product of yeast doin their thing. Butyric acid typically will develope into the flavors listed above so I don't see yeast or age breaking these down. I could be completely wrong but only time would tell with specific examples.

    Are there any more commercial examples of Belgian beers giving these distinct flavors? And has anyone had an aged example?
     
  7. Tarheel4985

    Tarheel4985 Zealot (538) Sep 14, 2010 Colorado
    Trader

    They were pouring this at the Greeley Oktobrewfest VIP Tasting on Saturday (shameless plug) and I've had it at the taproom a few times. As a Brett beer, I think it's pretty solid. The apricot is subtle but complementary, the oak and Brett work well together to give it a dry, lingering finish. As a Saison, it's missing the characteristic spicy phenolic notes. Not sure what the price point is, but I think it's worth picking up. As far as their wild/sours go, this one is right up there with Frambo, but I still liked Sassy Tart best.
     
  8. denver10

    denver10 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,155) Nov 17, 2010 New Mexico
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    The price point is an incredibly reasonable $9.99. And its a 750 ml. For barrel aged brett beers, Crabtree's offering have been amongst the best values around lately.

    (I wasn't aware this was a brett beer)
     
  9. ChipperDave

    ChipperDave Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2008 Colorado

    I had this at both the Greeley Oktobrewfest this weekend and at their taproom during the last month or so. It's one of their better tap offerings. Highly drinkable and worth trying.
     
  10. Tarheel4985

    Tarheel4985 Zealot (538) Sep 14, 2010 Colorado
    Trader


    Yeah, it was a Solaris blend from last year's batch (the same batch that was eventually used to create the Peachtree, I believe). I'm not sure if the Brett was added at the same time as the fresh batch was added to the aged batch in the barrel, or if it was added with the apricots a few months before packaging.

    I agree about price point. Frambo was available for around $7.99 for a 750 mL, which is a pretty incredible deal.

    Now that they've switched to only packaging in bigger formats and some cans, I think we'll see the specialty stuff a little more often. I would love to see Sassy Tart packaged.
     
  11. denver10

    denver10 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,155) Nov 17, 2010 New Mexico
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    Grabbed a bottle of this on my way home. Looking forward to this after all the positive comments.
     
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  12. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
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    Peach is still on the shelves at parker payless.
     
  13. StonedTrippin

    StonedTrippin Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,880) May 28, 2011 Colorado
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    loved it, the wine barrel really shines in a way it didn't with the peach. this is one of their best beers to date, save the syzygy! worth every penny this one, real fruity, tart, bright, and brilliant. enjoy!
     
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  14. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

  15. Tarheel4985

    Tarheel4985 Zealot (538) Sep 14, 2010 Colorado
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    Todd, I would consider changing it to the American Wild Ale category. It's got a much stronger Brett character than it does Saison, and Crabtree even entered it into the American Brett category for GABF this year.

    Just a thought...
     
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  16. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    Having Brett in a beer doesn't always equal an American Wild. If the core is a Saison, as the description and name indicates, it's probably best to leave it there to avoid confusion/expectations. Listings elsewhere drop it into Saison too, and where a brewer drops beer for GABF is often more strategic when a beer crosses multiple styles.

    I'll drop the brewer a note and see what they're comfortable with.
     
  17. Tarheel4985

    Tarheel4985 Zealot (538) Sep 14, 2010 Colorado
    Trader


    That makes sense to me. I guess in tasting it, I would come away with the opposite confusion/expectation if trying it as a Saison. But since it's a beer he's brewed previously as a traditional Saison, I totally see your point. Thanks for the clarification.
     
  18. denver10

    denver10 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,155) Nov 17, 2010 New Mexico
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    Trying this one now and definitely digging it. I notice the ethyl butyrate but agree it isn't a deal breaker. Good call peoples.
     
  19. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
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    My wife found their Frambo at a random store this week. Glad these guys are getting some attention.
     
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