Why are Saisons so expensive?

I picked up a six pack for 6.99 at a local store a couple weeks ago...not sure why it was discounted but I think I need to go see if they have more.

 

My other thought is that since high priced imports dominated the style for so long people were just used to paying more for it. A domestic beer could undercut things like Dupont by a buck to appear cheaper but that still isnt much of a bargain.

Collette is one the most well priced, readily available regular saison I can think of.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, Why is Victory Helios (bomber) so cheap ?

 

But are they, really?

That is, are they really any more expensive as a general rule than any other style of beer? I'm not so sure...

 

I don't think saisons are any more expensive than other styles packaged in a similar format. At least where I live there are plenty of local, world-class saisons packaged in 750s for around $10 or less. Not sure how much something like a 4-pack of Hennepin or Tank 7 is (I don't buy these anymore because I can get better stuff made here), but I don't recall them being all that pricey compared to other beers. In fact, one of the things that appeal to be about the style is that it is an approachable, everyday "table beer" that pairs extremely well with food.

Now if you have to have a Brett-fermented, absynthe barrel-aged saison infused with coriander and banana peel, that's a whole 'nother story.

 

Tom, I will be very interested in hearing your thoughts on Classique. That beer is not a Saison in my personal opinion.

Some BA discussion here: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/saisons-in-6-packs.108797/page-2#post-1647556

Cheers!

 

Interesting. Just took a look at the brewer's website. I see what you mean about the description. Apparently the thing that got it listed in the Farmhouse Ale category is the yeast he used. It will be interesting to try it as it's clearly a hybrid and neither fish nor fowl. That's one of the "classique" problems with categorization schemes. They work well, except when they don't.

What category would you put in if you had to pick one?

 

Better than Tank 7?!? You shut your mouth!

But the price isn't bad if you go for the 4-pack. They run $10-11 iirc. Not dirt cheap, but nothing I would consider "premium" either. The 750 mL bottle is a little worse at $8-9 for about half as much volume.

 

Tank 7's great, but I prefer de Garde, Logsdon, Upright, Commons... I realize these aren't widely distributed, but almost everything I've had from these breweries is priced very reasonably, especially considering the quality. Picked up a 750 of de Garde Petit Desay last night for $6.99, can't wait to try it.

 

Never really noticed if saisons are more expensive than other styles. Imported from Belgium, sure but local representations seem to be on par with other beers, from what i've seen.

 

Sorachi Ace is 9.99 a 4 pack. Not expensive.

 

“What category would you put in if you had to pick one?”

First let me caveat that is has been a while (over a year) since I had a Classique beer. My memory of this beer was that the Saison yeast produced flavors were subtle in this beer; much more subtle than the flavors in my homebrewed Saison beers.

I seem to recall that this beer reminded me of what I call an English Golden/Summer Ale. I am not aware that this style is ‘recognized’ in any of the commercial beer style guidelines.

I just reviewed the 2015 BJCP style guidelines and I was a bit surprised to find 12A British Golden Ale. Maybe as you drink one of your Classique beers you could also review the BJCP style guidelines of 12A and see whether in your opinion there is any ‘overlap’ here?

This would be a good beer for NBS don’t you think?

Cheers!

Jack

 

I admittedly love me some de Garde, although I think it fulfills a different place in my sensory interests than does Tank 7. Logsdon is great as well. Unfortunately, both are hard to come by around here.

We get Upright down in Kansas City, but it seems like a lot of the stock is older. The few times I've tried it, I get the impression that I'm tasting a sort of stale, shell-of-its-former-self representation of what I'm guessing it's intended to be.

I've yet to try Commons. May have to make a point to buy some from the online shop I frequent.

I think the bottom line is that I've yet to find a beer that blends that dry, slightly spicy farmhouse characteristic with overt hoppiness quite the way Tank 7 does. Something about the way that Amarillo dry hop meshes with their house saison yeast really speaks to me. I'm planning on buying a case of it before Mrs. LambicP and I move up to Ann Arbor next month.

 

Because they are DELICIOUS!! Shut up and take my money!!

 

Of course it's entirely possible that, similar to your experience with PNW saisons, the Tank 7 you get is far fresher than what I get (it's also been a really long time since I've had it, and yes it is very good). In any case, I think we can agree that great, affordable, locally made saisons are plentiful across the country and life is much richer for it. Good luck with the move!

 

That's a good point. Tank 7 is good after some time, but it's much better fresh. And thanks!

 

Do you consider paying 15 bucks for a 6-pack to be expensive?

Cheers!

 

Yeah thats why I dont buy Sculpin. Anyway, I rationalize it by saying saison is not a popular style in America that sells well so you have to expect to pay that price. DFH charging 9.99 for a pilsner (popular style/lower abv) 4 pack is a different story. That is too expensive IMO.

 

CynicAle at $9.99 / 4 pack of tallboys is even better

 

Bottled up 5 gallons of my Tank 7 clone today. 22 750's, one magnum and one small corker. The 750's cost me about $1 each to make, plus cork and cage.