The Saison Thread

[Ohbarleywine]

So I had this guy at the brewery in February and loved it. The fact that it made it to bottles is amazing. There isn't really much of this one to go around, so if you are in the Portland area, snag it up quick! It is total perfection.

 

[abawol01]

So I had this guy at the brewery in February and loved it. The fact that it made it to bottles is amazing. There isn't really much of this one to go around, so if you are in the Portland area, snag it up quick! It is total perfection.

Is it as good or better sideways as it is "upright"?

 

[JCastle1]

A few recent saisons:

Shade Oak Alpha Cure

Described as a session tart farmhouse ale aged in chardonnay barrels with brettanomyces.

Notes: Lemon and mild tropical fruit up front. Hint of oak, full body, dry finish with a bit of acidity. Slightly chalky. Faintly metallic.

Propolis Gardin 2016

Notes: Nice red wine presence with a backing earthiness. Dry with just a touch of acidity.

Really surprised that this brewery doesn't get more love. Really innovative beers using a bunch of fun ingredients. My only complaint is that I wish the ABV of their beers was generally a bit lower.

Oxbow Catalyst

Notes: Light tartness and beautiful use of honey. Exquisite beer.

Love that Catalyst, wish I had more.

 

[reverseapachemaster1]

Propolis Gardin 2016

Notes: Nice red wine presence with a backing earthiness. Dry with just a touch of acidity.

Really surprised that this brewery doesn't get more love. Really innovative beers using a bunch of fun ingredients. My only complaint is that I wish the ABV of their beers was generally a bit lower.

If they unloaded an unnecessary amount of fruit in their beers or brewed a BIGSTOUT they would hook up to the hype train. I'm glad they haven't because I really like their beers. I agree on the ABV.

 

[Gus13]

Had this one over the weekend and loved it. Fantastic citrus, lemon-lime character with a touch of yeast phenolics and a great tart character. What really stood out was the minerality it had. I love that in Saison.

American Solera - Money Blend (Batch 1)

 

[PurityControl88]

Blackberry Farms-Fenceline
How rustic is this label?! Reminiscent of saison Dupont, peppery spicy yeast w a nice sweetness. Very soft body. Wheat is noticeable in the malt build. A little bit of a fruity hop bite at the end. Great easy drinker, and I had no problem polishing this bottle off by my myself. Wouldn't mind a little more complexity for the price point.

 

[nophunk]

If they unloaded an unnecessary amount of fruit in their beers or brewed a BIGSTOUT they would hook up to the hype train. I'm glad they haven't because I really like their beers. I agree on the ABV.

Even when the beers from them sounded weird, I still enjoyed them more than I thought I would. Keep the hype train low.

 

[Evahflow]

Blackberry Farms-Fenceline
How rustic is this label?! Reminiscent of saison Dupont, peppery spicy yeast w a nice sweetness. Very soft body. Wheat is noticeable in the malt build. A little bit of a fruity hop bite at the end. Great easy drinker, and I had no problem polishing this bottle off by my myself. Wouldn't mind a little more complexity for the price point.

I like their beers but have yet to love anything. They are basically just really good at cloning Dupont over and over which is often $6-7 less per bottle.

 

[Gonzoillini1]

Congratulations to Thorpe429 on the successful launch of Afterthought Brewing Company yesterday (Lombard, IL). The Biere de Pieces #1 was probably my favorite as it tied the three threads together so perfectly. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings and can't wait for the first bottle releases!

 

[ExPimp]

Congratulations to Thorpe429 on the successful launch of Afterthought Brewing Company yesterday (Lombard, IL). The Biere de Pieces #1 was probably my favorite as it tied the three threads together so perfectly. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings and can't wait for the first bottle releases!

Awesome! Congrats Thorpe429, your beers have always been a treat.

 

[jbeezification1]

Congratulations Thorpe429. If you ever need any more Jester King let me know, I'd love to try some of your stuff.

 

[Thorpe]

Congratulations Thorpe429. If you ever need any more Jester King let me know, I'd love to try some of your stuff.

Always need more Jester King, so sounds like a plan

 

[PurityControl88]

I like their beers but have yet to love anything. They are basically just really good at cloning Dupont over and over which is often $6-7 less per bottle.

Agreed!

 

[CornAndBeer]

I've tried but I think it's something where they unfortunately don't get sent to our state.

I'm sure Arbella (now merged with Premier but they had/have the rights) could order them if they wanted to. I worry that they will care even less about Dupont now that they are part of Premier

 

[More Betterness]

Congratulations to Thorpe429 on the successful launch of Afterthought Brewing Company yesterday (Lombard, IL). The Biere de Pieces #1 was probably my favorite as it tied the three threads together so perfectly. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings and can't wait for the first bottle releases!

This is awesome! Congrats Thorpe429 !

 

[Treebs]

Test batch for Saison Amer: Galaxy from Afterthought Brewing Company. Blonde Saison hopped with Galaxy hops.

Perfect golden clear pour. Nose is candied lemon and tropical fruit. Absolutely insane taste. Bursting with notes of passion fruit and light lemongrass, subtle tartness. Mild funk with a drying finish. Light cracker malt backbone to give it some body. Mouthfeel is spot on. Super clean and crushable. Absolutely delicious.

Congrats again Thorpe429!

I started an official Afterthought Brewing Thread to discuss Mike's delicious beers as well

 

[libbey]

Test batch for Saison Amer: Galaxy from Afterthought Brewing Company. Blonde Saison hopped with Galaxy hops.

Perfect golden clear pour. Nose is candied lemon and tropical fruit. Absolutely insane taste. Bursting with notes of passion fruit and light lemongrass, subtle tartness. Mild funk with a drying finish. Light cracker malt backbone to give it some body. Mouthfeel is spot on. Super clean and crushable. Absolutely delicious.

Congrats again Thorpe429!

I started an official Afterthought Brewing Thread to discuss Mike's delicious beers as well

I want that in my belly

 

[jbeezification1]

Just something

 

[PHBoiler]

I miss Enlightenment Ales. Only have two more bottles left. (Things are Beautiful and Titania) This one remains my favorite though. Great complex Brett character with a light handed use of honey.

This was similarly lovely. A lot more honey from this one. A great complex wildflower honey though. All the tasting notes of an aged bottle of Anna. Fantastic Biere de Miel.

 

[Gus13]

I miss Enlightenment Ales. Only have two more bottles left. (Things are Beautiful and Titania) This one remains my favorite though. Great complex Brett character with a light handed use of honey.

I get so freaking sad when I see his labels. I wish I had picked up more when I was up north. I've been looking for Transcendence for a while. His Verdance remains one of the best beers I've ever had. Below 5% alcohol and so much flavor.

 

[PurityControl88]

I get so freaking sad when I see his labels. I wish I had picked up more when I was up north. I've been looking for Transcendence for a while. His Verdance remains one of the best beers I've ever had. Below 5% alcohol and so much flavor.

I've never heard of this brewery but I looked them up and they sound amazing. Waaay ISO. Is their brewer working at another brewery now?

 

[cry me]

I've never heard of this brewery but I looked them up and they sound amazing. Waaay ISO. Is their brewer working at another brewery now?

He's at a brewery in Denmark now iirc

 

[JCastle1]

I've never heard of this brewery but I looked them up and they sound amazing. Waaay ISO. Is their brewer working at another brewery now?

They are fantastic, not sure how people never caught on to them. Idle Hands is also great if you're looking for German styles.

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/blog/2015/10/23/enlightenment-ales-idle-hands-update/

 

[PHBoiler]

I've never heard of this brewery but I looked them up and they sound amazing. Waaay ISO. Is their brewer working at another brewery now?

Looks like he just finished a 20 month job working at a brewery in Denmark according to social media. No clue if he'll be starting or joining a brewery here stateside. Whatever path he chooses I hope there are saisons to be enjoyed again. Verdance was indeed a stellar and beautiful beer as others have mentioned. Rite of Spring is still my favorite go-to beer he made.

 

[PurityControl88]

Looks like he just finished a 20 month job working at a brewery in Denmark according to social media. No clue if he'll be starting or joining a brewery here stateside. Whatever path he chooses I hope there are saisons to be enjoyed again. Verdance was indeed a stellar and beautiful beer as others have mentioned. Rite of Spring is still my favorite go-to beer he made.

Yeah dude is on my radar now for sure.

 

[Gus13]

Looks like he just finished a 20 month job working at a brewery in Denmark according to social media. No clue if he'll be starting or joining a brewery here stateside. Whatever path he chooses I hope there are saisons to be enjoyed again. Verdance was indeed a stellar and beautiful beer as others have mentioned. Rite of Spring is still my favorite go-to beer he made.

From what I've seen, Enlightenment should be starting back. I didn't realize his stint in Denmark was almost over. But from what I read/heard in various places, he was going to bring what he learned back and keep Enlightenment going. He was the only producer of Brut Beer as well in the US. I have a bottle of that for my wedding day coming up.

 

[Gus13]

My record of choice tonight along with my beverage of choice. This is skyrocketing to the top of my all time favorites list. Nose of lemon rind, spice, bit of pear, and a earth. It does have just a very tiny bit of light struck but no foul IMO. Flavor follows with more fruit in the way of green melon and more citrus. Dry as a bone and just immensely drinkable. Shawn is doing great things.

 

[Gus13]

Saison Sunday with Spring Saison (for Bob Sylvester) by Zebulon and Birds Fly South. Such a great beer. Dry, hints of lemon and spice, little malt sweetness and a solid bitterness. So easy to drink through this bottle.

 

[PHBoiler]

It's been a year since we picked this up on our 10th anniversary trip. 11th anniversary gives a reason to open up another one. Perfectly crisp, clean, and balanced. Tartness on the rise. Lemon/lime. Some funk that reminds of Anchorage beers. A little tangerine sweetness. Just a kiss of hops left at this point. The melon aspect is gone but the body of this beer still shines.

 

[agrippin]

I've got to give these guys some more love. Their saisons and wilds have really come around since I first tried them a few years ago. Life's Trade has an excellent balance of acidity, minerality, citrus zest and a slightly creamy mouthfeel.