Let's talk Saisons

This is one of my favorite styles at this time of year. If you love saisons and sometimes prefer a low abv session beer, I highly recommend Stillwater Classique.

 

De Steeg Brewing's French Saison is one of the best beers I have ever had. If you are ever in Denver, this is the #1 place for great beer. I still have dreams about that damn Saison!

 

saison dupont
ommegang hennepin
HF aurthur
fantome
tank 7

 

Dupont Avec Les Bons Veoux is my #1, absolutely incredible
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
Dupont Foret
Ommegang Hennepin
Saison Brett
Prairie Ale

While Saison Dupont is definitely great, the Foret and Avec Les Bons are extremely superior. Both of them blew me away

 

What are y'all's favorite saisons with Brett? I like those more than the traditional saison.

 

Fantome
Prairie
Upright
Bruery

meaning:
Add funk...and thou shal be happy

 

You stated: “Tank 7 is far and away my favorite, and I really like the American hopped-up take on the style, so I liked Prairie Standard (already mentioned).”

My personal read of that sentence is that you do not equate Tank 7 with American hopped-up take. Am I reading that properly. Do you consider Tank 7 to not equate to American hopped-up Saison?

Cheers!

 

Yeah, in re-reading, that isn't quite as clear as I intended it. The idea was to express my love for Tank 7, then go on to list others that I also like because they, like Tank 7, are the American hopped-up kind of saisons (Prairie Standard and Wellspring).

 

I seem to recall Michael Jackson quoting a Belgian brewer saying there is no benchmark for the style; it's just an honest beer made within the rough confines of the tradition. He also quotes other brewers saying Saison Dupont is everyone's favorite after his own product.

Glad of the mention of Saison d'Epeautre by de Blaugies. Their others are also some of my favorites -- la Moneuse, Darbyste, not sure I could choose one. Have yet to try the Vermontoise but have a bottle waiting (not long) for a warm afternoon with company. ... Otherwise, most of the Hainaut province saisons -- in some personal order like Pipaix, Ellezelloise, Silly, Cazeau, 1900, Regal (OK, probably over the border), so if you see any of those, give a try. They vary pretty widely.

 

I always feel like the odd ball on these topics as I rarely if ever feel the same as the masses.

Not a big fan of Hennepin or Saison Dupont. Both were OK for me, but definitely not the best. I didn't like Foret at all. Drain poured most of it, in fact.

Southampton Saison Deluxe, Funkwerks Saison and Bruery Saison De Lente are my favorites.

 

These have already been mentioned, but they are my go-to's
Sofie
Jack D'or
Hennepin
Dupont
Helios

I'll also throw some good vibrations the way of Southern Tier Grand Arbor, which very pleasantly surprised me recently- appealingly dry, bready malt backbone, spicy yeast signature, well-balanced flavor profile. And really well-priced to boot, at around $8 a bomber.

 

I had a Ommegang Hennepin last night and it was delicious! The Tank 7 is great.

 

Tank 7
Prairie Hop
Little Sumpin Sumpin Wild Ale

 

Can anyone tell me who's had a lot of different American Saisons how good HFs are and if they are really worth trading a grip for them?

I've had a lot of great saisons but most of my favorites tetter on the realm of a wild ale like: Crooked stave's Hop L' Brett D'Or or Fantomes. Is this pretty much what to expect from HF: lot of lactic and brett component.

 

Totally agreed on the Darbyste comment as well. Love what little Blaugies does, and the wood fired steaks (from cows raised in the neighboring farms) in the restaurant/pub are pretty darn awesome too! Always a treat to visit that brewery.

 

I have had a number of Hill Farmstead Saison beers and IMHO they are all OUTSTANDING. None of the Hill Farmstead Saison beers that I have drunk had much funk to them but I have only had draft beers. Maybe with more time in the bottle they may develop funk?

If you are a trader you might want to consider trying to get some Tired Hand Saison beers. Tired Hand is a relatively new brewery (approaching two years, I think). The Tired Hands Saison beers are excellent. I think you would need to get these beers in growler form?

Cheers!

P.S. I would be amiss in not singing some praise for the Victory Saison beers: Helios and the seasonal Swing.

 

I tried the Surette from Crooked Stave this past weekend; it was awesome--very vinous yet not as dry on the mouthfeel. Highly recommend.

For every day, I'd recommend the new saison from Allagash, as well as Tank 7 and Dupont. Also enjoy Saison De Lente from the Bruery (one of their cheaper offerings too, which is a plus).

 

Thanks Jack.. I've got a sturdy collection growing overtime. I think I can easily trade for them I just often feel underwhelmed by most saisons that don't use some sort of barrel aging process which HF does but perhaps a little time will bring out that funk.. Either way I'll take your word for it and should try it fresh as well.

Cheers.

 

As for Surette I tried it and loved it the first time real fresh but came back for it a week or two later and wasn't as amazed. Then again it was sitting at RT in the light on the shelf of one of my favorite stores. I have a feeling Saisons deteriorate a lot faster with light but then again they are more delicate style.