First taste of a Saison

[Metzger22]

Well, I had a Sam Adams Rustic Saison yesterday and was wondering if anyone else has tried it or could tell me if it's a good example of a beer in this style? I intend to brew a saison and until I came across the Sam Adams I had no taste baseline or idea as to how the finished product should taste. Any quidence would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I thought the Sam Adams Saison was awesome. I think the Belgian Ales have become my favorites!!!

 

[MNDan]

Haven't had it, but find a bottle of Saison DuPont for reference purposes.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/637/1717

 

[Lodovico]

I don't find it to be a good example of the style. I didn't think it was awful, but it tasted like more of a Witbier to me. Saison is one my favorite styles so I'm pretty familiar with it.
+1 on Saison Dupont being easy to find and a good example. Just be careful of the green bottles!! Get it at a shop that knows how to take care of beer.

By far the easiest one for you to find would be Hennepin from Brewery Ommegang. Also a good example of the style and very affordable. You should be able to find that just about anywhere. Way better example of a Saison than the Sam Adams.

 

[beergolf]

Saison Dupont is probably the best example that you should be able find anywhere.

 

[RatCity]

Anyone tried Ithaca Brewing's "Ground Break" Saison? Curious if that's a good example of the beer style as well. Sort of spicy Belgian yeast cloves/coriander taste but it's also pretty light.

I'll snag a bottle of Dupont & compare..

 

[mrk00k]

+1 On being careful of the green bottles of Saison Dupont. I had one early in my beer drinking career and thought it was awful, now I think it was just skunked.

I have had a few saisons since and love them, haven't been back to Dupont yet. I agree with the comment about Sam Adams tasting like it is somewhere between a witbier and a saison.

 

[bourgeoisbee]

Check out Lost Abby's Carnevale or any saisons by Bruery. Saisons and all farmhouse styles give a lot of room to play with within the style, so you've got lots of options - if they distribute near you.

 

[cc407]

I ordered a Midwest Brewer Lawnmower de Saison extract kit. I'm hoping it will be an easy going summer beer that my wife will like.

 

[scrambledegg81]

Ordered Austin HB's Summer Saison a few days ago...were out of Grains of Paradise, but looking forward to how this one turns out.

 

[FiddleTilDeath]

I haven't met a saison I didn't like. You will be very happy when you brew one.

 

[AdamWiz]

I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't think that Dupont is the best example of a saison there is. I know that sometimes it is not up to its full potential due to the green glass, but I have had it a lot of different times and never liked it as much as other saisons. If it truly is the best example of the style, then I guess I just prefer my saisons off-style. I think Hennepin is way better. I also really like Great Divide's "Collette" a lot. I'm not sure how much New Holland brewery distributes outside of Michigan, but if you can get their "Golden Cap" saison, it is delicious as well.

 

[Metzger22]

Unfortunately the Sam Adams is the first Saison I've found in my area. I'll keep looking for the Dupont and others but I doubt they're here. I live in WV so if anyone else lives here, let me know where to find them. I did notice the similarity to Wit beer the Sam Adams saison had but you could also taste the difference from wit. I was actually liking the different flavor from wit beer so if a true saison is more noticeable in that aspect I'd be happy. Maybe I'll just go ahead and brew one and use that as my tasting baseline. Thanks all!!!

 

[ohdukes]

I have a few suggestions:

Not entirely sure about WV, but I'm pretty sure you guys can get Victory and/Sly Fox Brewing in PA. If you can I would suggest

Victory Helios
Sly Fox Saison VOS

Those are pretty close for American versions. I've had them recently, and they had a nice earthy, phenolic character.

Ommegang Hennepin is pretty widely available.

Jamil Z's "Classic Styles" saison locks you in pretty good. I would also suggest that if there is any style that you don't have access to, try a recipe from his book. It gets you pretty close if done correctly.

I've brewed a little more than half of the 80+ recipes and (almost) all are spot on...

Hope this helps
Ohdukes

Facebook.com/phillybeerguy

 

[JLW]

Unfortunately the Sam Adams is the first Saison I've found in my area. I'll keep looking for the Dupont and others but I doubt they're here. I live in WV so if anyone else lives here, let me know where to find them. I did notice the similarity to Wit beer the Sam Adams saison had but you could also taste the difference from wit. I was actually liking the different flavor from wit beer so if a true saison is more noticeable in that aspect I'd be happy. Maybe I'll just go ahead and brew one and use that as my tasting baseline. Thanks all!!!

I'm originally from WV (near Charleston). My bro in-law might know where to find siason's. I'll check with him and see where has the best beer selection.

 

[Homercidal]

I also like New Holland's Golden Cap. And Great Divide has a real nice one.

The problem with Saison is that there isn't a true "gold standard" to go by. There are popular beers, to be sure, but you just can't nail down a style that has changed so much over the years and brewed by different farmers originally. They all had different tastes and used different ingredients.

I suggest trying different brands and see if you like any of them. DuPont is fine, but I prefer New Holland and Great Divide (Collette) even better.

 

[autoferret]

Saison's are my weakness! I just love the atitude toward farm house ales!

The Saison Dupont is a very good and probably the easiest one to find. But if you can find Fantom Saison that is IMO the most amazing saison ever! Had one that was 10years old and it was incredible!

I've gotten kits from Austin and NB and they were both very tasty!

 

[peregrinebio]

I'll add Stillwater Artisanal Ales. The brewer specializes in saisons. Probably not always true to style (if there is one) but very enjoyable. They're in VA so maybe WV.

http://stillwaterales.blogspot.com/p/stillwater-portfolio.html

I've tried Saison Dupont a few times and it has always tasted like a skunky green bottle beer. I won't buy another bottle, tired of wasting my money, but I would like to try it on draft.

 

[JLW]

I'll add Stillwater Artisanal Ales. The brewer specializes in saisons. Probably not always true to style (if there is one) but very enjoyable. They're in VA so maybe WV.

http://stillwaterales.blogspot.com/p/stillwater-portfolio.html

I've tried Saison Dupont a few times and it has always tasted like a skunky green bottle beer. I won't buy another bottle, tired of wasting my money, but I would like to try it on draft.

I've had it on draft a few times and it is really tasty.

If you are in the Richmond area try Capital Ale House. They have it on tap at the midlothian location sometimes.

 

[Native302]

Try this recipe. It's an amazin Saison

Ole Zion Church Saison

5lbs 2 row Belgian Pilsner
3lbs Maris Otter
2lbs White Wheat
4oz Aromatic
4oz Biscuit

Mash in 11.55 qt at 164 Hold at 148 for 75 min
Batch sparge .46 gal
Batch sparge 2.08 gal
Batch sparge 2.08 gal

Ended up with about 6 1/4 gallons pre-boil gravity reading of 1.067

90 min boil

.5 oz Magnum 90 min
1 lb amber candi sugar 60 min
Whirlfloc tablet 15 min
1 oz hallertauer mittelfrueh 10 min
1 oz coriander seed crushed 5 min
1 oz sweet orange peel 5 min

1 oz hallertauer mittelfrueh at flame out for 20 min rest
1 oz of pink peppercorns at flame out for 20 min rest

cooled to 65 and WYEAST 3711

OG 1.078

Fermented at 65 and let naturally rise to 78 for two weeks. Threw the belt on it for two days to raise to 80 then let it cool itself down to room temp. Checked it after 3 weeks and it was crystal clear and tasted amazing and dry. got a gravity reading of

FG 1.004

 

[peregrinebio]

If you are in the Richmond area try Capital Ale House. They have it on tap at the midlothian location sometimes.

I'll have to remember that next time I'm up there. I've only been to the downtown location. Good food and good music.

 

[ohdukes]

+1 on the Stillwater...

 

[Metzger22]

I'm originally from WV (near Charleston). My bro in-law might know where to find siason's. I'll check with him and see where has the best beer selection.

Hey that would be great! I'm originally from South Charleston but live in Beckley area now. Please do let me know what you find out.

 

[jtakacs]

just had russian river's saison yesterday (erudition) - excellent...

 

[JLW]

I'll have to remember that next time I'm up there. I've only been to the downtown location. Good food and good music.

Midlothian location has a much better selection on tap of everything. No live music but really nice outdoor patios.

 

[VaBrewer]

I recently tried Saison Dupont (Viele Provision) but was dissappointed. I will confess that it's probably due to me having Hennepin several times before - love it.
The Dupont wasn't bad, just not what I had hoped.

On another note, I brewed the NB Surly Cynic Saison kit and that stuff rocks! I have since brewed the regular NB Saison kit and am waiting on it to finish. I will probably do the Cynic again soon.

Cheers

 

[elproducto]

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere is my favorite, although I suppose it's not a true saison. It's a barnyardy, sour Saison... so freaking delicious.
This style is quickly becoming one of my favorites, espeically with the ability to add wild yeasts. I just brewed my first Saison from Brewing Classic Styles, and even at 1 month old (1 week in the bottle), it's absolutely delicious.

 

[Schemy]

Saison Dupon is the gold standard of the style, imho. American breweries doing it well are Ommegong (Hennepin), Boulevard (Tank 7), Great Divide (Collette). I have heard that Goose Island's Sofie is a good example, but I have not had it. I would run that guantlet of Saison/Farmhouse Ales to get an good idea of the style and see where you want it to go. Good luck, currently my favorite style.

 

[beergolf]

Check out Lost Abby's Carnevale

I forgot about that one. I had some a few weeks ago and I loved it.

 

[FlemingsFinest]

Ommegang's Hennepin is one of the best beers made by an American brewery in my opinion.

 

[AdamWiz]

On another note, I brewed the NB Surly Cynic Saison kit and that stuff rocks!

Nice- I just brewed this one recently also, but it's not quite done yet. It has been in secondary for about 1 week. The anticipation is even greater than normal since I never tasted Surly's real beer before. Can't wait.