Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Saison & Farmhouse Ale tasting July 8-10 2011

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 8, 2011

  The Saison & Farmhouse Ale tasting runs from July 8th - July 10th. Please post your reviews below. Feel free to drink whatever you have on hand or can find locally. Some choices might include;Ommegang Hennepin, Saison Dupont, Fantome Saison, Goose Island Sofie, Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere, Surly CynicAle, Stone Saison Du BUFF, Heavy Seas Red Sky at Night and Boulevard Saison Brett.

  The Saison & Farmhouse Ale tasting runs from July 8th - July 10th. Please post your reviews below. Feel free to drink whatever you have on hand or can find locally. Some choices might include;Ommegang Hennepin, Saison Dupont, Fantome Saison, Goose Island Sofie, Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere, Surly CynicAle, Stone Saison Du BUFF, Heavy Seas Red Sky at Night and Boulevard Saison Brett.
• Deleted Member

  
   

  July 8, 2011

  I'm the first one to rate this time? Sweet!!!
  Tried a few, but going to rate this one for now...
  
  Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
  Smokehouse Series
  Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, MO
  12oz bottle
  ABV 8%
  IBU 38
  
  I figured I would start out with the commercial description:
  Most breweries have at least one piece of equipment that’s just a bit persnickety. Here at Boulevard its fermenter number seven, the black sheep of our cellar family. Ironically, when our brewers were developing variations on a traditional Belgian-style farmhouse ale, the perfect combination of elements came together in that very vessel. You could call it fate, but they called it Tank 7, and so it is. Beginning with a flavorful surge of fruity aromatics and hoppy, grapefruit notes (Amarillo hops), this complex, straw-colored ale finishes long, dry and spicy.
  
  Now, with all that being said...that pretty much describes what I tasted. It was actually pretty close to an IPA except for the finish...which had some spicy notes in it...sort of a light cloves taste. But to be fair, it's all I really taste in Farmhouse Ales and Saisons...cloves. But this one was light on the spices which to me made it a great beer.
  
  I have a 6oz glass so the first pour was pretty clear...nice golden look. After I poured in the rest, there was a surprise waiting in the bottom of the bottle, some major yeast which gave the second sip a bit more mouth feel and flavor. But nothing that dramatically changed the beer.
  All in all, this was a great beer. Again, I’m soooo not into spicy beers, but this one was just the right touch, and even got better tasting as it warmed up. This to me makes a beer even that much better. Enjoy!
  
  

  I'm the first one to rate this time? Sweet!!! Tried a few, but going to rate this one for now... Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale Smokehouse Series Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, MO 12oz bottle ABV 8% IBU 38 I figured I would start out with the commercial description: Most breweries have at least one piece of equipment that’s just a bit persnickety. Here at Boulevard its fermenter number seven, the black sheep of our cellar family. Ironically, when our brewers were developing variations on a traditional Belgian-style farmhouse ale, the perfect combination of elements came together in that very vessel. You could call it fate, but they called it Tank 7, and so it is. Beginning with a flavorful surge of fruity aromatics and hoppy, grapefruit notes (Amarillo hops), this complex, straw-colored ale finishes long, dry and spicy. Now, with all that being said...that pretty much describes what I tasted. It was actually pretty close to an IPA except for the finish...which had some spicy notes in it...sort of a light cloves taste. But to be fair, it's all I really taste in Farmhouse Ales and Saisons...cloves. But this one was light on the spices which to me made it a great beer. I have a 6oz glass so the first pour was pretty clear...nice golden look. After I poured in the rest, there was a surprise waiting in the bottom of the bottle, some major yeast which gave the second sip a bit more mouth feel and flavor. But nothing that dramatically changed the beer. All in all, this was a great beer. Again, I’m soooo not into spicy beers, but this one was just the right touch, and even got better tasting as it warmed up. This to me makes a beer even that much better. Enjoy!
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 8, 2011

  +1 for being 1st!

  +1 for being 1st!
• Deleted Member

  
   

  July 8, 2011

  This really was a beer I just never ever pick to drink. But was really surprised at my choices. But I kept an open mind on what i was drinking and found it to be an excellent tasting. Hope someone can get some good use out of my cheesy review. At least I'm pretty sure it won't end up on that one girls facebook page. haha :)
  Onto next month's tasting!!!

  This really was a beer I just never ever pick to drink. But was really surprised at my choices. But I kept an open mind on what i was drinking and found it to be an excellent tasting. Hope someone can get some good use out of my cheesy review. At least I'm pretty sure it won't end up on that one girls facebook page. haha :) Onto next month's tasting!!!
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 8, 2011

  I have the Green Flash Saison and 1 Door Saison Style Ale to tatse.

  I have the Green Flash Saison and 1 Door Saison Style Ale to tatse.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  July 8, 2011

  Tasted 2 but will post tomorrow

  Tasted 2 but will post tomorrow
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  July 9, 2011

  I have to say I enjoyed this months tasting so much better than last months. Its not that I don't like hops just not overly hoppy beers. This one had a nice hoppiness to it I really enjoyed it.
  
  Brasserie Dupont "Saison Dupont Vieille Provision"
  Brasserie Dupont - Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium
  
  Farmhouse Ale (ABV 6.5%)
  
  [Best served in a Tulip glass]
  
  Rating: 3.5/5.0
  
  Aroma: 7/10
  Appearance: 4/5
  Taste: 7/10
  Palate: 3/5
  Overall: 14/20
  
  Poured a light cloudy yellow with a huge white fizzy head that was mostly diminishing but did leave enough residue to have fair lacing. The aroma was of a straw like malt, a nice dose of floral hops and a moldy yeast with notes of citrus and some spices. It tasted mildly bitter and acidic with hints of citrus and clove at first and finished a bitter-sour with a strong wheat note and with a nice dose of hops at the end. Mouthfeel was light in body and dry in texture with a rather fizzy carbonation. Overall a nice fit for the style, one of the better Farmhouse Ales I have tasted.

  I have to say I enjoyed this months tasting so much better than last months. Its not that I don't like hops just not overly hoppy beers. This one had a nice hoppiness to it I really enjoyed it. Brasserie Dupont "Saison Dupont Vieille Provision" Brasserie Dupont - Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium Farmhouse Ale (ABV 6.5%) [Best served in a Tulip glass] Rating: 3.5/5.0 Aroma: 7/10 Appearance: 4/5 Taste: 7/10 Palate: 3/5 Overall: 14/20 Poured a light cloudy yellow with a huge white fizzy head that was mostly diminishing but did leave enough residue to have fair lacing. The aroma was of a straw like malt, a nice dose of floral hops and a moldy yeast with notes of citrus and some spices. It tasted mildly bitter and acidic with hints of citrus and clove at first and finished a bitter-sour with a strong wheat note and with a nice dose of hops at the end. Mouthfeel was light in body and dry in texture with a rather fizzy carbonation. Overall a nice fit for the style, one of the better Farmhouse Ales I have tasted.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  July 9, 2011

  Ok this is the second one I tried. I don't know why I keep trying Sam Adams beers, they never quite make the cut. I guess I am a hopeful soul.
  
  Samuel Adams "Rustic Saison"Boston Beer Company
  
  Saison (ABV 4.35%)
  
  [Best served in a Tulip glass]
  
  Rating: 2.9/5.0
  
  Aroma: 6/10
  Appearance: 3/5
  Taste: 6/10
  Palate: 3/5
  Overall: 11/20
  
  Poured a clear light yellow with an average sized foamy head that was mostly diminishing and had poor lacing. The aroma was of a hay scented malt, a floral hop and an earthy yeast with a mild citrus note. It tasted very light for a Saison with a mild acidic characteristic and a touch of yeast with a hint of citrus at first and ended slightly bitter with a mild hop finish. Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a soft carbonation. Overall a light tasty brew with some flavor but nothing overly special.

  Ok this is the second one I tried. I don't know why I keep trying Sam Adams beers, they never quite make the cut. I guess I am a hopeful soul. Samuel Adams "Rustic Saison"Boston Beer Company Saison (ABV 4.35%) [Best served in a Tulip glass] Rating: 2.9/5.0 Aroma: 6/10 Appearance: 3/5 Taste: 6/10 Palate: 3/5 Overall: 11/20 Poured a clear light yellow with an average sized foamy head that was mostly diminishing and had poor lacing. The aroma was of a hay scented malt, a floral hop and an earthy yeast with a mild citrus note. It tasted very light for a Saison with a mild acidic characteristic and a touch of yeast with a hint of citrus at first and ended slightly bitter with a mild hop finish. Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a soft carbonation. Overall a light tasty brew with some flavor but nothing overly special.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 9, 2011

  It is hard to do better than Saison Dupont. Definitely a benchmark for the style.

  It is hard to do better than Saison Dupont. Definitely a benchmark for the style.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 9, 2011

  1 Door Saison Style Ale 7.00% ABV
  Hermitage Brewing, San Jose, CA
  $3.69 - 22 ounce bomber
  
  The 1 Door Saison pours out golden orange in color and has a good bit of cloud. Almost a two finger, foamy head that retains well. Banana, yeast and clove on the nose with hints of candied sweetness. In the mouth you get the fruity sweetness but it is offset by lemon and pepper notes as well as a decent amount of hops cleaning the brew up. Some floral aspects as well. Full, round mouthfeel that pushes this to medium bodied. Prickly carbonation. Lovely lacing on the glass. The finish is quite long and well spiced. Good balance. For a typical Saison the ABV is a bit high but, I have to admit, the alcohol level was not overly detectable. Refreshing, drinkable and close to the style - just a tad on the sweet side to rave too much about this Saison. At $3.69/bomber the 1 Door Saison is a good buy.

  1 Door Saison Style Ale 7.00% ABV Hermitage Brewing, San Jose, CA $3.69 - 22 ounce bomber The 1 Door Saison pours out golden orange in color and has a good bit of cloud. Almost a two finger, foamy head that retains well. Banana, yeast and clove on the nose with hints of candied sweetness. In the mouth you get the fruity sweetness but it is offset by lemon and pepper notes as well as a decent amount of hops cleaning the brew up. Some floral aspects as well. Full, round mouthfeel that pushes this to medium bodied. Prickly carbonation. Lovely lacing on the glass. The finish is quite long and well spiced. Good balance. For a typical Saison the ABV is a bit high but, I have to admit, the alcohol level was not overly detectable. Refreshing, drinkable and close to the style - just a tad on the sweet side to rave too much about this Saison. At $3.69/bomber the 1 Door Saison is a good buy.