Salute to Saisons! (2023)

General shout-out to Yazoo Brewing in Nashville.

I'd never heard of them before my first visit to that city in late 2022; however, they've been at it for 20 years. They brew all kinds of styles, but definitely carry a torch for saisons / brett beers / flanders red ales / wild ales, and the entry of their "Embrace The Funk" saison series I tried was real tasty.

Can't wait to try more from them!

 

Good: Saison Dupont (the gold standard)
Bad: Wilderness Brewing Saison (this is basically a sour). They also brew a sweet potato saison, which IMHO is just a bad idea.

 

I have not tasted it, but I don't really care for sweet potatoes or their saison brewing style, so... as I stated, it is just my opinion!

 

Perhaps my favorite style, but I do wonder if this thread is redundant with the Belgian Ale Appreciation thread now in existence?

 

My apologies upfront for being 'that guy'...

A soured Saison is typically from the use of bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) used along with a Saison yeast strain.

Tired Hands uses a mixed fermentation to produce their 'House' Saison: SaisonHands. I used to be a fan of this beer when they first produced it several years ago but their mixed culture must have 'evolved' over the years. That beer is presently more sour/tart than I prefer.

Cheers!

 

I don’t think so. Rather this thread is more focused on the Saison Family of styles.

IMO, we should keep this thread, and ask the Belgian Ale Thread to differ here for Saisons. Not sour if that even needs to be policed, maybe just a suggestion so this thread doesn’t go stale.

 

That sucks that Saison Dupont is not readily available where you live. There are several shops that regularly carry it in Chicago.

I also co-sign on Tank 7 by Boulevard. More hoppy than a typical Saison, but works well for my taste preference.

I usually am in Saison Hibernation until warmer weather, but hoping to catch both in LA and/or Vegas soon.

 

Frank, I'm sure you've heard the buzz about Seedz Brewery by the Michigan / Indiana border by now (if you haven't already been there), and they have a Sweet Potato Saison on draft currently.

It's pretty fucking good!

 

I just picked up a 4 pack of 4 different Oxbow saisons at the store the other day. Had the Honey/Clover so far. Was a very traditional classic (like Saison DuPont but a touch of honey addition).

 

I have not had Tank 7 for a while now. I'll pick up some next week to revisit it.

 

I look forward to reading what you have to say about this beer.

I used to be a BIG fan of Tank 7 but my last four-pack purchase (about a year ago) was a disappointment since it was not that great. Maybe it was just a bad batch? Or maybe Tank 7 is just 'different' from how it was a number of years ago?

Cheers!

 

I was in the "big box" beer store today and had a six pack of Tank 7 in my hand when I noticed that they also had Collette (Great Divide), so based on Jack's pan of Tank 7 (and me remembering I didn't think it was fantastic when I had it last), I bought Collette instead.

I found Collette to be quite good with a pretty mild sourness, some tangerine tartness, and some yeasty funk typical of a German wheat beer. The combo was quite good and I would recommend it over Tank 7.

 

Sounds great. I had a squash saison once that is still a top beer by me. Brewery closed but the beer lives in my head. If done in a good way a sweet potato saison with a bit of earthy sweetness should be real nice

Enjoy

 

I really enjoy Colette, not see it in a long time. Biggest issue for me was the abv, much rather a low ABV and I think Colette was around. 7%. Same with henapin and many of the more popular saison.

Two roads made a low ABV saison I liked. Can’t recall the name of It now.

Any suggestion of low ABV saison send them my way


Enjoy

 

Possibly Worker’s Comp

 

Most of Oxbow’s saison stay around 5-6% and I’m pretty sure they get distro to PA.

 

Thats true as well as I can always get F&M(under5%) too.

I guess I should have said low ABV Saison that is from a larger brewery. Something I could buy a six or 12 pack of and not spend what Oxbow or F&M would cost, maybe $10-12 a six. Victory brewed Swing at under 5% I enjoyed. Yards many years ago, 18+ made a nice low ABV Saison too. These are long gone.

Enjoy

 

Yeah it’s true. Even Allagash Saison was 7% when it was bottled. There aren’t many options from the bigger craft breweries for low abv.

 

Time to revisit Sly Fox Grisette?

 

I don't agree- do we only have an "american beer" thread? Think about all the different styles that would comprise- stouts, lagers, ipa's, gose, amber ale, porter, etc...

Belgian beer is also very diverse despite some of the similarities you may find.

 

Does Allagash still brew this? I feel like I haven't seen it in a long time.

 

Hmmm……forgot about this one. Not seen it or looked for it in years. I don’t remember it being that low of ABV but do remember it being very good. Thanks for the thought.

Edit……still made as a spring seasonal at 5.6%, more than I want but could be the best option.

Enjoy

 

It's no longer part of their 4 pack releases. I don't know if they brew it occasionally for draught or whatnot.

 

Fantome Blanche: I don’t think I’ve ever loved a specific beer from Fantome but they’re always fun to try just based on the variability. Barely a hiss when I popped the cork. Nose is all light struck noble hops, some rubber phenols, and grassy herbs. Carb is light for the style. Bitter and thirst quenching but that rubber phenol is a little too prevalent to get past. Definitely not my last Fantome but underwhelming.

 

I just gotta ask: why would you want to 'take the risk' of continuing to purchase Fantome beers? Especially within the context of "I don’t think I’ve ever loved a specific beer from Fantome"?

Cheers!

 

Regardless of their inconsistencies, they’re still interesting enough drinking experiences to try once or twice a year. When they’re good, they’re very good, but it’s hard to love a beer that isn’t consistent.

 

But you stated "I don’t think I’ve ever loved a specific beer from Fantome" so...?

Cheers!

 

Lol you don’t think it’s possible that a beer can be good but you don’t love it? The beers that I love, I return to often because they have qualities that are consistently great. Some beers are pleasurable experiences but it doesn’t mean I’m seeking that same beer over and over again. It’s nice to revisit Fantome because he values experimentation and his beers don’t resemble anything you can get in the states.

Perhaps you could provide an anecdote from a personal travel experience or brewing knowledge that could help me better understand your point?

Cheers!

 

I love good beer.

You and I are just different in this regard.

Cheers!

 

Found this today. (from my visit in about 2003)

 

Farmhouse - Footbridge Brewing.



It is supposed to be a “Barrel aged fruited Saison.” The apple brandy barrel just took over, and the fusel alcohol is through the roof.

I’ll just have to find something else to wash away this failed experiment. Oh well.

 

This is my 2nd to last bottle of my favorite Saison - Blackberry Farm Classic 6.3%. I wish I had more of this available locally.

 

I prefer Colette to Tank 7 by a mile. I wonder if Tank 7 has changed, because I liked it years ago but found recent samples almost undrinkable -- far too sweet in the malt department, and excessive with the American hops, like a bad IPA. I count my blessings whenever I find Colette here in MA.; it's a finely-executed saison in 6-packs at a great price.

 

It would seem that I am 'in the same boat' as you. I used to be a big fan of Tank 7 in the past and for my last purchase (a couple of years ago I think) I was not as much a fan. I did drink all of those beer so it was not exactly "undrinkable" but it was undesirable enough that I have zero motivation to buy this beer again.

Cheers!

 

4.04/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottled 5/11/2021 (best before end 2026) - enjoyed on 1/21/2023 - poured from a 750mL capped-and-corked bottle into my Troubadour tulip.

Rosewood body shines a cardinal tinged madder when held to the light. Dark, clear, with a fist of beige resolving to a lasting dense creamy finger. Rich tendrils of fine lacing; faint legs.

Tart funky aromatics, faint red wine vinegar, goat milk, and some vague winter spices and fallen leaves.

Quite malty, reminiscent of an English brown ale almost - toasted grain, oak/cedar, peppercorn, and spices. Low but persistent grassy bitterness. Moderate, phenol-laden yeast character. Fairly dry finish with a tart not-quite-floral edge. Hints of Assam tea.

Medium-bodied, soft, well carbonated with some lingering tannins.

Rustic, style-defying (as usual) dark, lightly (mysteriously) spiced winter saison.