Expensive Saisons....

Some yeasts perform better with open fermentation for different reasons. Most of the time it's to get the desired ester/phenol signature that doesn't seem to happen when under pressure in a conical; this is true of Kellerweiss, and I suspect it's key for Bigfoot as well. Other times, like with the infamous Ringwood strain, it's to give the brewers access to recirculating yeast to keep it in suspension. Also, yeast harvesting can be done at the proper time with true top croppers.

 

I appreciate the info Tongo! Cheers

 

No problem- that's just the basics, though. Hopefully somebody with more experience will chime in to fill in the details.

 

Crooked Stave Vielle
Crooked Stave Surette
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere
Anchorage Love Buzz
Anchorage/Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Boreal
Fantome Saison
BFM Sqrt 225
Boulevard Saison Brett

Some of my favorite saisons that I've been able to buy off the shelves here in the past year. All definitely worth the price, imo. Also, The Bruery's Saison de Lente isn't overly expensive (~$11) when it comes out, and is pretty tasty. I've also been able to get some Casey Brewing and Hill Farmstead saisons that are pretty great. The regular shelf saisons from either of them really shouldn't be too hard to get, and are worth the price of entry.

 

I also drink a fair bit of wine and while I am by no means a wine expert I am of the opinion that some wine folks seem to highly value ‘complexity’ in wine and consequently will pay more for a bottle of wine in order to obtain the ‘level of complexity’ that they desire.

I think it is fair to say that some beer drinkers may be the same in this regard.

The ‘issue’ is that some aspects of complexity in a beer like a Wild Saison may be of high value to some beer drinkers but not to others. As I have already posted I personally appreciate some Brett aspects in a Saison but more often than not I am not a fan of the lactic aspects that bacteria adds to a Wild Saison. I am also of the opinion that a non-Wild Saison can have a lot of complexity; e.g., the Saisons that I homebrew.

We all have our own individual palates and our own desires in what we desire in a beer. We all have our own opinions on what level and type of complexity we think equals “higher quality”.

Cheers!

 

The only other thing I can think of to add is that open fermentation apparently can be done without positive pressure, but I've no clear idea of how they prevented innoculation by wild yeast. It was being done for years in Germany well before there was such a thing as postive pressure possible in many breweries.

Edit: Hmm, perhaps that tells us something about the relative importance of the role of barrels vs the koolschip and open air exposure in the case of brewing something like Lambics?

 

I knew guys in my homebrew club way back when who would swear by open fermentation. According to them, the pitching rate was a big factor, but they also dispensed their beers rather soon as well. If something did get in there it might take a long time to show itself, and by then the beer would be gone. Maybe back then in Germany it was similar- cool storage in conjunction with fairly quick turnover would keep things relatively 'safe'.

With bottled beer these days, though, it pays to go the extra mile to make sure you have a shelf-stable product.

 

Good thought! If we look at Sofie as an example, the Brett doesn't really begin to show much at all until well after a year in the bottle.

 

I see someone else got to you. Enjoy your night

 

How much more is Saison Dupont where you are? At the LCBO its $8 for 750 mL

 

The best price in the area is over the state line in DE where there is no state tax. There the 4 pack of brown bottles is basically $22.00 and in that same store the 750ml in green bottles (still) is $13.

Where as in that same store, Sofie is $12 for the 4 pack. Hennepin is $12 for the 4 pack.

 

I have no idea why LCBO Belgian beers are relatively cheap. All our other beer is so expensive.

BELGIAN
3F Armand & Tomme 750 $22.00 (Discontinued)
Chimay Blue 330 $3.50
Cuvee des Jacobins 330 $3.70
Duvel 330 $3.30
La Chouffe 330 $3.45
Orval 330 $3.35
Rochefort 10 330 $3.90
Rodenbach Vintage 750 $7.75 (Discontinued)
Saison Dupont 750 $7.75
St. Bernardus 12 750 $9.05
Tripel Karmeliet 330 $3.60
Westmalle Dubbel 330 $3.50
Westmalle Tripel 330 $3.35

AMERICAN
Anchor Steam 6 pack $15.10
Coors Banquet 12 pack $23.50
Goose Island Sofie 765 $9.95
Liberty Ale 6 pack $15.10
Rogue Brutal IPA 650 $7.40
Rogue Dead Guy 650 $7.40
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 6 pack $14.95
Southern Tier IPA 6 pack $15.00
Stone Arrogant Bastard 650 $8.95


http://www.foodanddrink.ca/lcbo-ear...=Belgium&PRODUCING_REGION_N=*&SELLING_PRICE=*

 

I am quite fortunate to have a local brewery that dabbles exclusively in Belgian Ales (with the exception of a Porter, although they are Belgian-Styled as well) and they happen to brew a few excellent Saison/Farmhouse Ales.

Send the excellent selection back east! The craft beer available here is relatively limited compared to other places. I would love to try Saison Dupont (as well as most of the other beers on this list) but they aren't available in NB.

 

Well at least we've put to rest the idea that all flavorful beers cost more in Canada than they do in the US. :-)

 

And remember, those are in CDN dollars. Given the crazy exchange rate right now, everything is way cheaper than that for Americans.

Orval $3.35 CDN = $2.57 USD

 

If I were you I would be buying TONS of Belgian Beers!

In PA all of those Belgian Beers cost a fortune!!

One thing we have in common is State/Province Alcohol systems: LCBO for you and PLCB for us. The difference is that the PLCB stores do not sell beer; just wine and liquor.

If the PLCB would sell Belgian beer so cheap I might be tempted to contact my state legislators to add beer to the state run Wine & Spirits stores!?!

Nah, I won't do that.

Cheers!

 

Saison is one of my favorite beer styles. I do not mind occasionally buying one of the more expensive brands. They are usually worth the price. A recent example for me is Prairie Artisian Ales Brett C at about $12/bottle. Loved it.

 

I can't speak for Mr. Yargamo, but I imagine that he's doing just fine limited to $7 singles, $14 bombers, and $42 six-packs. The sheer amount of good beer within that limit wouldn't leave most drinkers wanting.

 

I didnt say you miss all good beer. Just that you miss alot. Most sours and bba stouts are over that.