Simple Question: Guidance/opinions on "aging" Saisons?

I know that they can be aged, but I've never tried to do so. I like the "fresh" taste of most saisons, and I feel like aging them would ruin that aspect.

 

All I know is that on the side of the Funkwerks Saison it says it can be cellared for 2 years, on the side of Funkwerks Imperial Saison, Tropic King, it says it can be cellared for 1 year.

That's the extent of what I can offer you on this topic.

 

I don't think it helps, but it probably doesn't ruin the beers either. I'd say drink 'em sooner rather than later.

 

I've had varying success with saisons. Most of the Stillwater stuff holds up well, but obviously looses some of it's herbal qualities with time. Tank 7 is big enough to stand some time, but again it doesn't have the same flavors you'll see fresh. Monkey King, Swing, and a lot of the more common six pack stuff falls apart pretty quickly. Funkier Belgian stuff does good with time, some will loose some funk, and some develop a little more.

 

It depends. A straight saison brewed with the usual sacc yeasts I would drink fresh. If they're bottle conditioned they are usually okay. Now if it has some brett, that's a whole other story. Sofie and matilda drink so nice with some age. Crooked stave's saisons get better and better with some time. Sooo good.

 

Anything with Brett can actually improve with aging. If it is a clean saison then fresher is probably better, but age won't hurt it much.

 

What these guys say. Saison-Brett is another one that improves with age, especially if you like that Bretty funk.
But something like Saison Dupont or Hennepin, just drink them fresh. They won't get better and might get worse.

 

Hoping that can be the case with this latest batch of the Crooked Stave Vieille Saison....so far the couple bottles I have tried have been huge misses. Not too hopeful though, while it definitely became great with some age on it, the initial batch was still good fresh.

As for Sofie, my 1/28 batch of Sofie is finally starting to come into its own a bit. I definitely agree that some age does that beer wonders. Good in general, fantastic with age.

 

I'm glad i'm not the only one who finds the citra hopped saison veille underwhelming. I'm sitting on the rest til fall.

 

Saisons are great candidates for aging. If traditionally brewed, it should already be aged about 6 months. If 7% ABV or higher, you should be good for several years in your fridge. If you have several of the same, try one now and another in one year to see how it has changed. If you are really interested in the style, Saison du Pont is the benchmark. Enjoy.

 

2 year old Saison Dupont is good people from my experience