The Bar Towel

Its days like today that i love this forum.

Any want to mention some solid examples of saison?

dutchcanuck wrote:Its days like today that i love this forum.

Any want to mention some solid examples of saison?

Saison Dupont

That we can buy in ontario....

dutchcanuck wrote:That we can buy in ontario....

none

Black Oak is the closest but its a little too hefe'ish

matt7215
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:55 am Post subject:
dutchcanuck wrote:
That we can buy in ontario....


none

Black Oak is the closest but its a little too hefe'ish

well then...I will have to keep my eyes open the next time i head over to buffalo and stop in at Premier Gourmet.

dutchcanuck wrote:Any want to mention some solid examples of saison?

I make some really good ones!

These also come to mind as excellent saison-style beers:

anything from Dupont
anything from Fantome
anything from Brasserie de Blaugies
Driftwood Farmhand
Boulevard Saison
DeRanke Bitter XX
Orval
Lost Abbey Devotion (yes, their Red Barn is their "saison," but this is far more saison-like in my opinion - it is bone dry and hoppy, the Red Barn is just an overspiced, alcoholic mess)

It has been a long time since I tried it, but I think Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere was also a pretty good example, same with their Biere de Garde. Just keep in mind that most Biere de Gardes are not overly saison-like.

Belgian wrote: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 It was a lower strength beer originally made to slake the thirst of farm hands in the summer, which is more of a functional definition.

When I was at the Unibroue dinner a couple weeks ago, I spoke with the Unibroue sommelier and this was basically his stance on the beer. He said it is a classic interpretation of saison, being something light, spicy, and refreshing, suitable for summer drinking on the farm.

Anyway, spent the day in Toronto yesterday and had...

Lagunitas Maximus
Mill Street Helles Bock
Mill Street sampler tray: Fruit, ESB, Pilsner, IPA
Beau's Festivale Plus
Smashbomb IPA (loved it on tap)

notdan wrote:When I was at the Unibroue dinner a couple weeks ago, I spoke with the Unibroue sommelier and this was basically his stance on the beer. He said it is a classic interpretation of saison, being something light, spicy, and refreshing, suitable for summer drinking on the farm.

If it is already called Blonde de Chambly, just call it a damn Belgian blonde and be done with it. Newbies are only going to be confused by something called a "saison" and those more experienced are just going to say, "this doesn't taste like a saison."

Sorta like Rickards Dark, and the whole "it's an english porter" crap they are spewing. Just call it a dark ale - it perfectly suits the nondescript nature of this beer.

Count me in with the "THAT'S NO SAISON!" crew... I'm still convinced I was served the Blanche in Montreal... twice!

Surly Furious, kindly given to me by Dave at Half Pints a couple weeks ago. It's good. If I was a hop head, I'd say it was great.

Just has Cheshire Valley's ESB at the Woolwich Arms in Guelph. Holy crap was it good.

I hope this guy gets the opportunities he deserves to get a foothold in the market. He deserves it on this product alone.

I can't wait to try what else he has brewing.

Sipping my second St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout. One of my favourite stouts, even if its a bit thin. It doesn't have that 'chew' or heavy mouthfeel that I desire in a stout, but my god its good. This should be a staple in every beer geek's fridge.

My last and final bottle from an order I took back in 2008 of Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout.

Still pours wonderfully opaque, the strong coffee aroma has remained, but there seems to be more hops on the nose now too. Coffee bitterness along with a high hop bitterness too, that I don't recall from previous bottles. Exceptionally dry and bitter on the finish. Must seek out more...............and thankfully Alberta has some


Oh, check out the strip label that's on the bottle (click the BEER link in my sig)..................................5.7%...................yeah............right........................it's a session beer

Torontoblue wrote:My last and final bottle from an order I took back in 2008 of Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout.

Still pours wonderfully opaque, the strong coffee aroma has remained, but there seems to be more hops on the nose now too. Coffee bitterness along with a high hop bitterness too, that I don't recall from previous bottles. Exceptionally dry and bitter on the finish. Must seek out more...............and thankfully Alberta has some


Oh, check out the strip label that's on the bottle (click the BEER link in my sig)..................................5.7%...................yeah............right........................it's a session beer

I had my last one from that order a couple months ago... I thought it had mellowed a little... almost drank like 5.7% ;D

It got pretty astringent towards the end; just cleansing the palate with a Granville Island Winter Ale.

Garrison Imperial IPA and a few homebrews tonight. And a propeller hefeweizen for good measure.