School me on Saisons

I sometimes get the impression that saisons are considered, by some at least, as something you're supposed to "mature" into after your unrefined phase of huge imperial stouts and super-hoppy IPAs is over; same with sours. Slightly off-topic for the thread, but does anyone else get that impression?

 

Couldn't agree more with those recommendations. Another one that immediately popped into my head was Anchorage Brewing Company's Love Buzz Saison. It's easily my favorite saison I've had the pleasure of drinking, and also one of my favorite beers in general. So, so good. Now I'm pissed I don't have any.

 

I'm far from a Saison expert, but the Dupont Cuvée Dry Hopping 2013
that's on the shelf's now is outstanding, could not possibly give a
higher recommendation. In a brown bottle also, a huge plus.

 

No, I agree it seems to be something you grow into. Not a starter style for sure

 

I had a terrific little saison by southern tier on tap only called sonnet saison. Light lemon and earth, little hay and just so nice. If you see it on tap, order it.

 

Agreed, though I've only had Prairie.

 

Saisons definitely vary a ton. I agree with other posts that DuPont is the classical version. Definitely try Hennepin. I recently had a great version from France, belle rose.

 

What he said.twice

 

Look for the Stillwater beers too - not all are Saisons but they make a bunch of them. Right now you can find Classique in cans in NY (at least I found them in Albany a week or 2 ago). Check 'em out.

 

I'm certainly no pro at Saisons (my friend Kell50 knows far more than I), but I would confirm that Pretty Things Jack D'or is a favorite purchase of mine, and Hennepin is a classic.

 

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace is my favorite of the style followed by Dupont and Tank 7

 

Such variety within the style, and so many of them good (like pretty much all the ones listed above that I've tried).

You'll find that today's saisons often go bigger than their historical analogs at 6% and upwards ABV (I think Jack D'or is around 6.5%, and awesome). If you find yourself spending time up near Gloucester on a hot summer's day and want something more sessionable, try Notch Saison. I've had a lot of it this summer and find it to be a nice, easy-drinking quencher at a humble 3.8% ABV.

 

Is that an orange Dodge Charger? With the doors welded shut? My first Brash beer was my last Brash beer, but I might have to give this one a try.

 

Try any Stillwater Saison. Great examples of how delicate, yet complex Saison's can be. I also really dig Victory Helios. $3 bombers with a peppery lemon barnyard goodness? Yes please! Any day...

 

Goose Island Sofie (easily available)
Boulevard Tank 7
Ommegang Hennepin
Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale (just the right amount of spice)

 

I love saisons, and agree with most of the above recommendations. One I haven't seen mentioned yet that should be available is Great Divide's Collete. Nicely balanced and on the earthy side. My all time favorite is Swamp Head's Saison du Swamp. Trade for it if you have to. And if your ever in their taproom, pray they have the Bretted version on tap - awesome!

 

This is an older, short article by Shaun Hill on saisons that I like:

http://voyage.50webs.org/bbs.html

 

Saisons are probably my favorite style--I love the earthy character and overall smoothness. My favorites are The ruery's Saison Rue and Funkwerks' Tropic King, but I don't know if those are available on the east coast. I prefer Dupont's organic saison to their regular saison, but both are good. Tank 7 and Saison Brett from Boulevard are also very good, Red Barn is good, and Odell's Celestrina has been my favorite this summer. Ommegang's Hennepin and North Coast's Le Merle are other good domestic varieties, and St Feuillien's Saison is another good imported one.

 

Check out Westmere Beverage (Route 20, Guilderland - near Crossgates) or Olivers. Both have solid Stillwater supplies. Cheers!