The Saison Thread

[Snarf1]

I don't think a side-by-side tasting is required. Maybe for minute differences, but if it's "eh, this is okay" versus "I absolutely love this beer" not too far apart, that's enough for a preference. Well-developed palates don't change that much over short periods of time, especially when tasting things on a fresh palate without food or previously having had any beer. Also, if someone hates even a bit of lightstruck character, it's easy to tell preference without a side-by-side.

Also wouldn't say that a beer either "is" or "isn't" skunked. It depends on a multitude of factors, including light exposure and initial level of hops. I've had beers outside that start to taste slightly skunky, and then left out for an extended period and it's overpowering. With beer in green bottles, Dupont is a particular example as Gus mentioned. I've had some green-bottle Dupont that had just a bit of skunk, and then some bottles that were overpowering and similar to Corona or Heineken.

I think it's likely one could taste skunk in a green bottle that hasnt been lightstruck because they expect too, rather than because they actually do. Something usually tastes like you expect it to, I think that's been pretty well documented with wine.

 

[Evahflow]

I don't think a side-by-side tasting is required. Maybe for minute differences, but if it's "eh, this is okay" versus "I absolutely love this beer" not too far apart, that's enough for a preference. Well-developed palates don't change that much over short periods of time, especially when tasting things on a fresh palate without food or previously having had any beer. Also, if someone hates even a bit of lightstruck character, it's easy to tell preference without a side-by-side.

Also wouldn't say that a beer either "is" or "isn't" skunked. It depends on a multitude of factors, including light exposure and initial level of hops. I've had beers outside that start to taste slightly skunky, and then left out for an extended period and it's overpowering. With beer in green bottles, Dupont is a particular example as Gus mentioned. I've had some green-bottle Dupont that had just a bit of skunk, and then some bottles that were overpowering and similar to Corona or Heineken.

I agree. I feel like almost every bottle of Blaugies I've had has been skunked beyond recognition. I've had the same problem with Dupont which is why I love that they have brown bottles available regularly now.

 

[Thorpe]

I think it's likely one could taste skunk in a green bottle that hasnt been lightstruck because they expect too, rather than because they actually do. Something usually tastes like you expect it to, I think that's been pretty well documented with wine.

Maybe if it's a one-off experience, but with variability over time and across a large number of bottles, I highly, highly doubt that's the case.

 

[masterovkhaos]

I agree. I feel like almost every bottle of Blaugies I've had has been skunked beyond recognition. I've had the same problem with Dupont which is why I love that they have brown bottles available regularly now.

Yeah, I used to go for the 4 packs of Dupont in brown bottles, because more often than not, the green bottles were skunked. The one time I had Cuvee Des Jonquilles it was so skunked that I had to drainpour it.

If only my palate was developed enough back then to know that skunked flavor is desirable in farmhouse ales.

 

[Gus13]

There is absolutely a different level of skunk. Just like there is a different level of acidity.

 

[Thorpe]

There is absolutely a different level of skunk. Just like there is a different level of acidity.

Here's a post about it, listing the flavor threshold of the responsible compound at 3 parts per trillion in beer: https://beersensoryscience.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/lightstruck/

 

[SAISON FUCK]

TalkBeer: fetishizing authenticity since 2013!

 

[stakem1]

I'm hoping to be able to have some ceramic or clay pitchers made for the bar once we start up our brewery

Where do I send the check or paypal funds to secure my spot at the soft opening party?
How much do I need to send in order to have the rights to be the first patron to proper intihar a ceramic vessel of Ambrosia Berliner?

 

[Gus13]

This was great the other day. I'd drink a ton of it. Super dry, citrus notes with a hint of funk. Tiny bit of malt but overall, super brew.

 

[drgarage1]

This was great the other day. I'd drink a ton of it. Super dry, citrus notes with a hint of funk. Tiny bit of malt but overall, super brew.

It is a great beer. But there's no way in hell it should be $15/375. Highway robbery.

 

[Evahflow]

It is a great beer. But there's no way in hell it should be $15/375. Highway robbery.

I'd probably grab it here for that price which is sad. We have a bottle shop that gets out of distro stuff. They have it for 26$

 

[drgarage1]

I'd probably grab it here for that price which is sad. We have a bottle shop that gets out of distro stuff. They have it for 26$

OOF!

 

[MooseLang]

I'd probably grab it here for that price which is sad. We have a bottle shop that gets out of distro stuff. They have it for 26$

HO1KB?

I love Allagash stuff, just not the price points on the 375ml bottles. My local store always has them for $12.99, which is at least a tad better.

 

[drgarage1]

HO1KB?

I love Allagash stuff, just not the price points on the 375ml bottles. My local store always has them for $12.99, which is at least a tad better.

I just wish they priced them differently based on what they are. There's no possible justification to price Midnight Brett and Farm to Face the same.

 

[Thorpe]

Where do I send the check or paypal funds to secure my spot at the soft opening party?
How much do I need to send in order to have the rights to be the first patron to proper intihar a ceramic vessel of Ambrosia Berliner?

You'll be waiting a long time for true Berliner I have done my old Berliner recipe with a blend of saison yeast and bacteria. Called it "Bauernhaus," which is German for farmhouse (at least according to Google Translate).

 

[Der Fuchs]

You'll be waiting a long time for true Berliner I have done my old Berliner recipe with a blend of saison yeast and bacteria. Called it "Bauernhaus," which is German for farmhouse (at least according to Google Translate).

Go with baurenhofhaus. This should be farmhouse. What you have now is 'farmers house'.

 

[Thorpe]

Go with baurenhofhaus. This should be farmhouse. What you have now is 'farmers house'.

Thanks. I seemed to remember "Bauernhof" from before so maybe in the past translate gave me what you said and I shortened it to that.

 

[Der Fuchs]

Thanks. I seemed to remember "Bauernhof" from before so maybe in the past translate gave me what you said and I shortened it to that.

Ah, forget what I said. You got me curious so I looked it up. I think you were right to begin with. I just knew that Bauern is plural for farmers or peasant and that Bauernhof is farm. Apparently it is the same word for farm and farmhouse. Now I will look up clarification to see if my 'farmers house' comment also applies. ****. My German is getting rusty.

 

[Gus13]

It is a great beer. But there's no way in hell it should be $15/375. Highway robbery.

I concur. Most of Allagash is priced high. I've never understood that. But it's very rare that I even get any. Usually from trades or if my buddy in NJ sees it.

 

[Evahflow]

HO1KB?

I love Allagash stuff, just not the price points on the 375ml bottles. My local store always has them for $12.99, which is at least a tad better.

Yeah, sometimes their prices are decent and sometimes(usually) they are outrageous.

 

[Gus13]

Another fantastic brew. Definitely had some lactic acid with bigger fruity notes. I got just a bit of funk and pepper but this was just WAY too easy to drink! haha

 

[thejukes]

Another fantastic brew. Definitely had some lactic acid with bigger fruity notes. I got just a bit of funk and pepper but this was just WAY too easy to drink! haha

That's the one we were talking about a few pages back. Definitely a sleeper. I need to try more of their brews.

 

[cultclassic89]

That's the one we were talking about a few pages back. Definitely a sleeper. I need to try more of their brews.

That's the only one Oddwood has bottled so far. Their parent brewery Adelberts (really all part of the same brewery) does a bunch of Belgian style stuff, but it's all pretty meh. I do hope Oddwood starts bottling some more stuff, but I could drink that Saison every day.

 

[thejukes]

That's the only one Oddwood has bottled so far. Their parent brewery Adelberts (really all part of the same brewery) does a bunch of Belgian style stuff, but it's all pretty meh. I do hope Oddwood starts bottling some more stuff, but I could drink that Saison every day.

Yeah, not a fan of Adelberts at all. I was surprised this came from there. They should focus 100% on Oddwood. I was very impressed.

 

[Der Fuchs]

Yeah, not a fan of Adelberts at all. I was surprised this came from there. They should focus 100% on Oddwood. I was very impressed.

Adelberts had a rough couple years... And one really bad year (infected batches, bad corks etc.) Though IMO they have gotten a lot better recently. I dig some of their limited bottled stuff, but overall they tend to be better on draft. I think of them as a locally owned ommegang or unibrau. If you an find fresh bottles they may be worth another shot.

But I do agree that oddwood has been their best so far.

 

[JRBecks]

Damn this is good, that brett is amazing

 

[Gus13]

This was last night's sample. Huge honey and malt notes in the nose. The mount was peppery with big honey flavors and a hint of tartness. I freaking love this beer. Biere de Miel is my all time favorite Saison style.

 

[nophunk]

This was last night's sample. Huge honey and malt notes in the nose. The mount was peppery with big honey flavors and a hint of tartness. I freaking love this beer. Biere de Miel is my all time favorite Saison style.

Is this the most recent batch? Tasted young on tap, curious to pop a bottle but don't want disappoint feels.

 

[Gus13]

Is this the most recent batch? Tasted young on tap, curious to pop a bottle but don't want disappoint feels.

Yes this was the most recent batch. I had one of batch 2 not long ago and by comparison it is young. But definitely not disappointing. Young it has more saison notes. You get the grain and the pepper. When it's older you get more of the lactic sourness and some funk. Just whichever you prefer really. I have a couple bottles so I wanted to pop one and sit on the others.

 

[tehzachatak]

I just wish they priced them differently based on what they are. There's no possible justification to price Midnight Brett and Farm to Face the same.

They are finally starting to do this. Century was between $10 and $12 in most distro locations in Boston/Southern Maine. the recent batch of Midnight Brett was $13 most places. I've heard from employees that Allagash will likely keep them $15 in house but continue giving an MSRP for some of the foudre/stainless beers at below $15. I assume that means they've dropped the price to the distributors as well.

I expect the barrel aged beers, and probably the fruited foudre/stainless beers to stay at $15, though.