The Bar Towel

cratez wrote:

SteelbackGuy wrote: Agreed. And the hate about no funk likely comes from some moron labeling this beer as a Saison. As if

I sure hope you're talking about the brewery itself:
http://www.unibroue.com/en/beers/blonde ... ly/product

I added it as a saison on BA since that's what Unibroue is calling it.

yes Mikey, this is what I mean. If it is a saison, its the furthest thing removed from that style that I have ever tasted. its a golden ale as far as I al concertned.

SteelbackGuy wrote:

cratez wrote:

SteelbackGuy wrote: Agreed. And the hate about no funk likely comes from some moron labeling this beer as a Saison. As if

I sure hope you're talking about the brewery itself:
http://www.unibroue.com/en/beers/blonde ... ly/product

I added it as a saison on BA since that's what Unibroue is calling it.

yes Mikey, this is what I mean. If it is a saison, its the furthest thing removed from that style that I have ever tasted. its a golden ale as far as I al concertned.

its now listed as a wheat ale on ratebeer, which is still wrong, if anything it should be listed as a belgian ale.

Unibroue calls it a saison, judge it as a saison. Why should the opinion of beer reviewers over-rule taht of the brewery when it comes to the style of beer they've brewed?

SteelbackGuy wrote: yes Mikey, this is what I mean. If it is a saison, its the furthest thing removed from that style that I have ever tasted. its a golden ale as far as I al concertned.

Good. I thought I was gonna have to take ya out front of Chancey's tonight and show ya what's what.

Bobsy wrote:Unibroue calls it a saison, judge it as a saison.

it is saisonish or as close as you can get with Unibroue yeast. anybody know if we'll ever see it in Ontario?

matt7215 wrote:it is saisonish or as close as you can get with Unibroue yeast. anybody know if we'll ever see it in Ontario?

Sorta like Ommegang's Hennepin saison? It is a fine beer, but hardly reminiscient of a saison.

matt7215 wrote:

Bobsy wrote:Unibroue calls it a saison, judge it as a saison.

it is saisonish or as close as you can get with Unibroue yeast. anybody know if we'll ever see it in Ontario?

It may dribble in but right now I doubt it. It's just hit Quebec grocery stores within the last couple of months and they are doing huge promos.

LCBO traditionally stays away from this type of beer and will likely stick with the Blanche, Fin and Maudite. If anything I think they would pick up the Ephemere Cassis.

If you need some, let me know. I have limitless access to it.

What's the extent of your experience with various Belgian-made saisons? I'll just repeat the hearsay that Saison is a "style" that can be pretty widely interpreted, and some don't bowl you over. What about Black Oak, I buy lots but it's really not James Brown level of funky, some days it's more like a golden wheat ale.

Fantome can also be pretty subtle, tons going on but funk, not really all the time. I'd love to try more examples of Saisons, must remember to ask next time in Buffalo!

I wonder if it's the case here that people WANT Saison to be really funky, rather than historical fact of Saison. It was a lower strength beer originally made to slake the thirst of farm hands in the summer, which is more of a functional definition.

Belgian wrote:What's the extent of your experience with various Belgian-made saisons? I'll just repeat the hearsay that Saison is a "style" that can be pretty widely interpreted, and some don't bowl you over. What about Black Oak, I buy lots but it's really not James Brown level of funky, some days it's more like a golden wheat ale.

Fantome can also be pretty subtle, tons going on but funk, not really all the time. I'd love to try more examples of Saisons, must remember to ask next time in Buffalo!

I wonder if it's the case here that people WANT Saison to be really funky, rather than historical fact of Saison. It was a lower strength beer originally made to slake the thirst of farm hands in the summer, which is more of a functional definition.

well said belgian

also, while were at it, IPA's didnt always taste like pine forrest, tangerine and cara malt.

Cool. Well if we're not getting caught up in styles at all, then I'm going to call Dark lord a milk stout and la Fin du monde a quad.

2 pints of Beaus Festivale Plus @ the Golden Kiwi

Was enjoying the Saranac Pale, seems more Englsih Pale or something. Good quality fresh beer.

after hearing some of the good things about Saranac's Pale, I just might have to buy a sixer, despite the fact I'm jonesing for a good stout right now.

Belgian wrote:What's the extent of your experience with various Belgian-made saisons? I'll just repeat the hearsay that Saison is a "style" that can be pretty widely interpreted, and some don't bowl you over. What about Black Oak, I buy lots but it's really not James Brown level of funky, some days it's more like a golden wheat ale.

Fantome can also be pretty subtle, tons going on but funk, not really all the time. I'd love to try more examples of Saisons, must remember to ask next time in Buffalo!

I wonder if it's the case here that people WANT Saison to be really funky, rather than historical fact of Saison. It was a lower strength beer originally made to slake the thirst of farm hands in the summer, which is more of a functional definition.

At the very least, saisons should be very dry with peppery phenols, and esters should be citrus like (lemon). They can have an optional rustic/barnyard/funk character. Spicing is optional, but should be subtle. Saisons are often hoppier than other belgian ales, but should not approach IPA levels.

The unibroue and ommegang house yeasts both have a big fruity banana nose that automatically says to me "NOT a saison."

markaberrant wrote:

Belgian wrote:What's the extent of your experience with various Belgian-made saisons? I'll just repeat the hearsay that Saison is a "style" that can be pretty widely interpreted, and some don't bowl you over. What about Black Oak, I buy lots but it's really not James Brown level of funky, some days it's more like a golden wheat ale.

Fantome can also be pretty subtle, tons going on but funk, not really all the time. I'd love to try more examples of Saisons, must remember to ask next time in Buffalo!

I wonder if it's the case here that people WANT Saison to be really funky, rather than historical fact of Saison. It was a lower strength beer originally made to slake the thirst of farm hands in the summer, which is more of a functional definition.

At the very least, saisons should be very dry with peppery phenols, and esters should be citrus like (lemon). They can have an optional rustic/barnyard/funk character. Spicing is optional, but should be subtle. Saisons are often hoppier than other belgian ales, but should not approach IPA levels.

The unibroue and ommegang house yeasts both have a big fruity banana nose that automatically says to me "NOT a saison."

This.


Thank you!