Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Saison & Farmhouse Ale tasting July 8-10 2011

• beerfusion

  

  Member
   

  July 10, 2011

  I couldn't find a Saison I haven't tried yet at the beer store, and I ordered some beer with a couple saisons in it but that's not here yet... so here is my review of Avery's Eighteenth Anniversary Ale: A Dry Hopped Rye Saison that I had last week. Cheers!
  
  Avery’s Eighteenth Anniversary Ale: Dry-Hopped Rye Saison comes in at an ABV of 8.12%. The head poured a very light off-white color that quickly dissipated. The color was dark amber with red hues and a slight haze, there was also quite a bit of noticeable carbonation. Head – 7, Look – 13.5. The dominant aromas were cloves, bananas, and spice. This beer has a very pungent Belgium yeast character with the hops coming from behind with a light citrusness. There’s a tartness that makes its way into the aroma, of which I can only attribute to the unique yeast character of this ale. The smell is very enjoyable though, and has a lot of different elements that hit the nose. Smell – 23.5.
  
  My initial reaction to this ale was a tart sourness (not a puckering sourness, but enough that it hit the sides of the mouth) coupled with a pleasant hop citrus flavor and bready rye notes. The aftertaste is a dry bitterness with those same hop citrus notes followed by a burning sensation that is only during the initial few drinks. Palate – 8.5, Aftertaste – 8.5. Upfront this beer is full of carbonation, and has a sweet tartness to it. This ale expand nicely in the mouth, and in the middle brings with it piney floral hops, which accent the dominating clove, banana, spicy flavor from the rye and yeast. This beer does, after a few drinks, carry with it a quenching quality, which is surprising for its ABV. The finish is where the strong citrus flavors come into play with a dry bitterness, similar to citrus bittering of a grapefruit. This Saison fits its style well, and I say that because it is able to hold true to its refreshing farmhouse style qualities even at a higher ABV. Flavor – 28.
  
  I’m generally impressed by the beers I’ve had from Avery, and this ale is not different. I’ve been every growing more and more fond of the Saison style, and thankfully (luckily) the crafter breweries that are making this style are doing a fantastic job of drawing me into this style. The complexity of flavors for this ale is a great coming of age to show how “grown-up” Avery is now that they’re of legal age. I really do recommend buying a couple bottles, one to have now, and another to try a few months down the road. With an Overall Flavor of 45/50 the Beer Fusion gives Avery’s Eighteenth Anniversary Ale: Dry-Hopped Rye Saison a very high score of…
  
  Rating: 89/100

  I couldn't find a Saison I haven't tried yet at the beer store, and I ordered some beer with a couple saisons in it but that's not here yet... so here is my review of Avery's Eighteenth Anniversary Ale: A Dry Hopped Rye Saison that I had last week. Cheers! Avery’s Eighteenth Anniversary Ale: Dry-Hopped Rye Saison comes in at an ABV of 8.12%. The head poured a very light off-white color that quickly dissipated. The color was dark amber with red hues and a slight haze, there was also quite a bit of noticeable carbonation. Head – 7, Look – 13.5. The dominant aromas were cloves, bananas, and spice. This beer has a very pungent Belgium yeast character with the hops coming from behind with a light citrusness. There’s a tartness that makes its way into the aroma, of which I can only attribute to the unique yeast character of this ale. The smell is very enjoyable though, and has a lot of different elements that hit the nose. Smell – 23.5. My initial reaction to this ale was a tart sourness (not a puckering sourness, but enough that it hit the sides of the mouth) coupled with a pleasant hop citrus flavor and bready rye notes. The aftertaste is a dry bitterness with those same hop citrus notes followed by a burning sensation that is only during the initial few drinks. Palate – 8.5, Aftertaste – 8.5. Upfront this beer is full of carbonation, and has a sweet tartness to it. This ale expand nicely in the mouth, and in the middle brings with it piney floral hops, which accent the dominating clove, banana, spicy flavor from the rye and yeast. This beer does, after a few drinks, carry with it a quenching quality, which is surprising for its ABV. The finish is where the strong citrus flavors come into play with a dry bitterness, similar to citrus bittering of a grapefruit. This Saison fits its style well, and I say that because it is able to hold true to its refreshing farmhouse style qualities even at a higher ABV. Flavor – 28. I’m generally impressed by the beers I’ve had from Avery, and this ale is not different. I’ve been every growing more and more fond of the Saison style, and thankfully (luckily) the crafter breweries that are making this style are doing a fantastic job of drawing me into this style. The complexity of flavors for this ale is a great coming of age to show how “grown-up” Avery is now that they’re of legal age. I really do recommend buying a couple bottles, one to have now, and another to try a few months down the road. With an Overall Flavor of 45/50 the Beer Fusion gives Avery’s Eighteenth Anniversary Ale: Dry-Hopped Rye Saison a very high score of… Rating: 89/100
• beerfusion

  

  Member
   

  July 10, 2011

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

  
  
  Agreed, the Saison Dupont is what really got me into the style, it's brilliant.
  

  [blockquote][b][url=/profile/Mark]Mark[/url] said:[/b] It is hard to do better than Saison Dupont. Definitely a benchmark for the style.[/blockquote] Agreed, the Saison Dupont is what really got me into the style, it's brilliant.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 10, 2011

  Green Flash Summer Saison
  ABV: 4.3% IBU’s: 20
  $7.49 - 22 ounce bomber
  
  Everytime I drink a brew from Green Flash Brewing Company I wonder why it has been so long since I had the last one. Every brew of theirs I've tried has been wonderful. This Summer Saison does not dissappoint.
  
  Poured into an oversized wine glass the Green Flash Summer Saison pours out a deep golden yellow with a touch of haze. Voluminous, snow white head that hangs around for a bit. Yeast, citrus and spice are prominent on the nose with an underlying earthy funk. In the mouth this is spicy and herbal with the ginger giving it a nice little kick. Some hoppiness to it on the grassy side. Hints of lemon. Pretty clean mouthfeel. Good carbonation. Spotty lacing on the glass. Light side of medium bodied. Dry and spicy on an elongated finish.
  
  A treat to drink. Not atypical to the style but a very refreshing brew that is well put together and easy to drink. Highly recommended.

  Green Flash Summer Saison ABV: 4.3% IBU’s: 20 $7.49 - 22 ounce bomber Everytime I drink a brew from Green Flash Brewing Company I wonder why it has been so long since I had the last one. Every brew of theirs I've tried has been wonderful. This Summer Saison does not dissappoint. Poured into an oversized wine glass the Green Flash Summer Saison pours out a deep golden yellow with a touch of haze. Voluminous, snow white head that hangs around for a bit. Yeast, citrus and spice are prominent on the nose with an underlying earthy funk. In the mouth this is spicy and herbal with the ginger giving it a nice little kick. Some hoppiness to it on the grassy side. Hints of lemon. Pretty clean mouthfeel. Good carbonation. Spotty lacing on the glass. Light side of medium bodied. Dry and spicy on an elongated finish. A treat to drink. Not atypical to the style but a very refreshing brew that is well put together and easy to drink. Highly recommended.
• Bablet

  

  Member
   

  July 11, 2011

  Since there was not a Saison available locally I went for the Farmhouse Ale. New Hollands Farmhouse Hatter IPA.
  5.8% ABV
  I am not a lover of IPA's and was pleased with the calmer hoppy taste. Had your typical farmhouse ale taste, nice spiciness with a slight tartness to it. Foamed up nicely with a wonderful spicy aroma.

  Since there was not a Saison available locally I went for the Farmhouse Ale. New Hollands Farmhouse Hatter IPA. 5.8% ABV I am not a lover of IPA's and was pleased with the calmer hoppy taste. Had your typical farmhouse ale taste, nice spiciness with a slight tartness to it. Foamed up nicely with a wonderful spicy aroma.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  July 11, 2011

  I think you did just fine for your first time. As I said there is no wrong or right way to do it. And don't worry your reviews will become more discriptive over time, at least mine are. BRAVO !!!!!!!!!!
  
  

  Bablet said:
  Since there was not a Saison available locally I went for the Farmhouse Ale. New Hollands Farmhouse Hatter IPA. 5.8% ABV I am not a lover of IPA's and was pleased with the calmer hoppy taste. Had your typical farmhouse ale taste, nice spiciness with a slight tartness to it. Foamed up nicely with a wonderful spicy aroma.

  
  
  

  I think you did just fine for your first time. As I said there is no wrong or right way to do it. And don't worry your reviews will become more discriptive over time, at least mine are. BRAVO !!!!!!!!!! [blockquote][b][url=/profile/Bablet]Bablet[/url] said:[/b] Since there was not a Saison available locally I went for the Farmhouse Ale. New Hollands Farmhouse Hatter IPA. 5.8% ABV I am not a lover of IPA's and was pleased with the calmer hoppy taste. Had your typical farmhouse ale taste, nice spiciness with a slight tartness to it. Foamed up nicely with a wonderful spicy aroma.[/blockquote]
• ironarrow42

  

  Member
   

  July 11, 2011

  Sofie Belgian Style Ale 2011
  80% Belgian style ale blended with 20% Belgian style ale aged in wine barrels with orange peel
  6.5% ABV, bottled on 04/20/11
  Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, IL
  
  Poured bright yellow-gold with a slight chill haze. The near-white head fell quickly to a thin layer. Aroma was fruity and tart, with some spicy-herbal notes. Initial taste was tart, fruity, then yeasty, then back. Aggressively tart, even, with a gooseberry-like tart acidity, and some sour white grape. Very fine carbonation with a medium-light mouth feel. Very refreshing.
  
  After losing some chill, the tartness moderates a bit and I get hints of light spice, a floral note, and grainy malt. Great aperitif beer.

  Sofie Belgian Style Ale 2011 80% Belgian style ale blended with 20% Belgian style ale aged in wine barrels with orange peel 6.5% ABV, bottled on 04/20/11 Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, IL Poured bright yellow-gold with a slight chill haze. The near-white head fell quickly to a thin layer. Aroma was fruity and tart, with some spicy-herbal notes. Initial taste was tart, fruity, then yeasty, then back. Aggressively tart, even, with a gooseberry-like tart acidity, and some sour white grape. Very fine carbonation with a medium-light mouth feel. Very refreshing. After losing some chill, the tartness moderates a bit and I get hints of light spice, a floral note, and grainy malt. Great aperitif beer.