The Saison Thread

[jivex5k1]

Prairie Somewhere is ******* good. Had one a couple days ago, had to go get another one I liked it so much. Tart and funky, best damn thing I've gotten off a shelf in a long time.

 

[SSTroller]

La Biere de Fantasie has definitely tarted up over the past few months. It could be bottle vs draft differentiation as well, but this sucker is drinking fantastically right now. I wouldn't really want it any more tart than this. Quenching dryness throughout. Major stone fruit presence.

That's also exactly how it was on draft last weekend down at the SP Cellar for that Off Color/SP charity event. I really enjoyed it fresh, but wow what a change in only what, 6 months? Love it right now.

 

[PHBoiler]

That's also exactly how it was on draft last weekend down at the SP Cellar for that Off Color/SP charity event. I really enjoyed it fresh, but wow what a change in only what, 6 months? Love it right now.

I had it at SP Cellar on tap after the du Fermier release and it was at least 50/50 Apex Predator if not slightly more AP, but now it is almost all SP saison. Good to know it had the same impact on tap. The bottles were still mildly reasonable to trade for in Chicagoland at last check. That would change if folks popped some of those bottles open. Delicious.

 

[SSTroller]

I only had it from the bottle fresh, but I couldn't agree more. Glad I held onto a few.
I'm interested to see how/if Corybantic evolves. Had that at the Belgian Beer Fest that weekend and I didn't care for it. It was so sweet, almost off putting.

 

[Gus13]

La Biere de Fantasie has definitely tarted up over the past few months. It could be bottle vs draft differentiation as well, but this sucker is drinking fantastically right now. I wouldn't really want it any more tart than this. Quenching dryness throughout. Major stone fruit presence.

Good to hear. I'll have to get mine popped soon.

 

[Thorpe]

Jolly Pumpkin E.S. Bam with mussels at HopCat Grand Rapids yesterday. Bottled March 2012. Floral and leafy up front with a bit of bread crust in the background. Earthy Brett with just a bit of plasticy phenolics. Excessively dry with ample carbonation. Really hope they start bottling this again soon!

 

[falc0n26001]

I heard bringing the original processes back.
Looking forward to the return of the normal delicious Peche n Brett after this past releases catastrophe.

What is this "catastrophe" you speak of?

 

[Evahflow]

Was at Tired Hands this weekend( pretty much every day from Friday-Sunday.) The now Foudre aged Saisonhands is a revelation. Not sure if anyone has had it before and then had it lately but it's a completely different beer. Big oak character, tart, really nice melon/tropical brettyness. Should be bottled in 750 green bottles soon. Can't wait to try a bottle conditioned version.

 

[Shakedwnst]

The now Foudre aged Saisonhands is a revelation. Should be bottled in 750 green bottles soon. Can't wait to try a bottle conditioned version.

That makes sense based on the instagram posts, but I heard "Honey, I love you" for those green bottles as well. Don't think I've had Saison hands in 2 years but would probably take either.

 

[SAISON FUCK]

Is there a reason they are using green bottles? Seems... wrong-headed. I know that Saison DuPont and some of the other traditional saison producers use them.

I have read that the light-struck character in DuPont is preferable to some folks, but it just seems a bit silly to me.

 

[FTowne1]

Is there a reason they are using green bottles? Seems... wrong-headed. I know that Saison DuPont and some of the other traditional saison producers use them.

I have read that the light-struck character in DuPont is preferable to some folks, but it just seems a bit silly to me.

They all just wanna be like danyP.

 

[iong516]

...I heard "Honey, I love you" for those green bottles

PUMPED

 

[Juice1]

PUMPED

4,1,2,3,5

 

[Thorpe]

Is there a reason they are using green bottles? Seems... wrong-headed. I know that Saison DuPont and some of the other traditional saison producers use them.

I have read that the light-struck character in DuPont is preferable to some folks, but it just seems a bit silly to me.

Some people prefer them. There's a lot of debate on the Saison Appreciation group on FB about their use. Bob at St. Somewhere is the leading defender. In very, very small amounts it can lend a bit of nuance, but the only time I've thought that is what it's a super fresh bottle that's essentially coming right out of the case and being chilled, so light exposure is at a minimum.

Also, Dupont is switching everything over to brown bottles for the U.S. market.

 

[user 305778]

Some people prefer them. There's a lot of debate on the Saison Appreciation group on FB about their use. Bob at St. Somewhere is the leading defender. In very, very small amounts it can lend a bit of nuance, but the only time I've thought that is what it's a super fresh bottle that's essentially coming right out of the case and being chilled, so light exposure is at a minimum.

Also, Dupont is switching everything over to brown bottles for the U.S. market.

Honestly, though, these beers aren't sitting on shelves. They are going straight out of the basement into customer's hands and it's not hard for the latter to just keep them out of the light if they hold on to them. This isn't a Dupont situation where the bottles sit on store shelves in ****** conditions.

 

[Shakedwnst]

Honestly, though, these beers aren't sitting on shelves. They are going straight out of the basement into customer's hands and it's not hard for the latter to just keep them out of the light if they hold on to them. This isn't a Dupont situation where the bottles sit on store shelves in ****** conditions.

Maybe the goal is for them to be sitting on shelves one day?

 

[Evahflow]

Is there a reason they are using green bottles? Seems... wrong-headed. I know that Saison DuPont and some of the other traditional saison producers use them.

I have read that the light-struck character in DuPont is preferable to some folks, but it just seems a bit silly to me.

I don't think they are aiming for lightstruck character. I think since Saison hands is thier take on a classic saison Im guessing the green bottle is a nod to Fantome/Dupont ect. I doubt those bottles will ever see much light anyways. I'd buy that beer by the Pallet if I could.

 

[SAISON FUCK]

I don't think they are aiming for lightstruck character. I think since Saison hands is thier take on a classic saison Im guessing the green bottle is a nod to Fantome/Dupont ect. I doubt those bottles will ever see much light anyways. I'd buy that beer by the Pallet if I could.

I guess my point is (and I have always felt this way to a certain extent):
I find such "nods" to be over-thought and precious in a way. I know what I am drinking. I know it is an American-made replication of a classic Belgian style. The green glass adding to the experience is very similar to Goose Island's bottling experiment with the new Bourbon County bottles... and GI are getting crucified for it in the general beer community (saying that the bottle will add to the experience).

I fully agree that 99% of all these Saison Hands bottles will be cared for decently, maybe not cellared correctly, but not hanging out in a sun-filled room. But is this attempt at creating an "authentic" experience or merely nodding at tradition really worth it?

Just my thoughts. I know they may not be popular, but I am a Saison **** after all.

 

[Thorpe]

Honestly, though, these beers aren't sitting on shelves. They are going straight out of the basement into customer's hands and it's not hard for the latter to just keep them out of the light if they hold on to them. This isn't a Dupont situation where the bottles sit on store shelves in ****** conditions.

Oh yes, definitely agree that SaisonHands bottles (if that's what these are) aren't going to be sitting on store shelves in ****** conditions. I was talking broadly about Dupont, Blaugies, and other bottles that could sit for months or years in a bright store.

 

[falc0n26001]

Jester King is switching to green bottles.

 

[jdhende]

Just came across this thread. Saisons have quickly risen the ranks as my favorite style over the last few years.

 

[Thorpe]

Jester King is switching to green bottles.

Is this for everything, going beyond the experimentation they started with Petit Prince, Mad Meg, and Noble King? Their initial post said it was an experiment and they'd still have brown bottles of everything too: http://jesterkingbrewery.com/jester-king-in-green-bottles

 

[drgarage1]

Is this for everything, going beyond the experimentation they started with Petit Prince, Mad Meg, and Noble King? Their initial post said it was an experiment and they'd still have brown bottles of everything too: http://jesterkingbrewery.com/jester-king-in-green-bottles

Definitely not for everything. Although Atrial and the other fruit beers already are in green bottles.

 

[FTowne1]

Jester King is switching to green bottles.

The green bottle thing is being blown way out of proportion. A couple years ago Shelton Bros stopped distribution in our area (they're back now), and my local shop but a bunch of Saison D'Epeautre and various Tomes on their discount shelf. These were bottles that were sitting in the store from the time they went in business, so most of them were 4-6 years old when I bought them. Not a single bottle that I purchased was what I would consider a dud, even after sitting on shelves at room temperature under fluorescent lights.

 

[thejukes]

Is this for everything, going beyond the experimentation they started with Petit Prince, Mad Meg, and Noble King? Their initial post said it was an experiment and they'd still have brown bottles of everything too: http://jesterkingbrewery.com/jester-king-in-green-bottles

They're just experimenting. Their 500ml bottles have always been dark green, though.


I had Prairie's Brett C. and Prairie Gold at a festival this weekend. Very nice. I just wish PAA wasn't at the high end of my price preference.

 

[drgarage1]

The green bottle thing is being blown way out of proportion. A couple years ago Shelton Bros stopped distribution in our area (they're back now), and my local shop but a bunch of Saison D'Epeautre and various Tomes on their discount shelf. These were bottles that were sitting in the store from the time they went in business, so most of them were 4-6 years old when I bought them. Not a single bottle that I purchased was what I would consider a dud, even after sitting on shelves at room temperature under fluorescent lights.

I have had a super-skunked Avec Le Bons Voeux that was nearly undrinkable. It basically depends on how hopped the beer was and which hops are used. And then a variety of other factors.

The important thing is that this is an experiment. They might conclude that they think green bottles make their hoppy beers gross. We'll see.

 

[Thorpe]

I have had a super-skunked Avec Le Bons Voeux that was nearly undrinkable. It basically depends on how hopped the beer was and which hops are used. And then a variety of other factors.

The important thing is that this is an experiment. They might conclude that they think green bottles make their hoppy beers gross. We'll see.

Completely agree. I've had DuPont and Blaugies bottles (among others) that were undrinkable given the level of lightstruck character. The first time I had Dupont on tap was a revelation.

 

[RyanG1]

Saisons are some of my favorite lambic inspired american wild ales.

 

[agrippin]

I recently trade for some HF Arthur, Anna, and Dorothy. I've enjoyed them all, drinking Arthur currently, and I wish these were easier to get. Anna has probably been my favorite so far, but Arthur is bright, crispy, dry, and has a delicate tartness. I definitely need to seek out some more of these.

 

[elbrooksie]

I recently trade for some HF Arthur, Anna, and Dorothy. I've enjoyed them all, drinking Arthur currently, and I wish these were easier to get. Anna has probably been my favorite so far, but Arthur is bright, crispy, dry, and has a delicate tartness. I definitely need to seek out some more of these.

I just received 8 bottles of Anna from last years release a friend forgot to ship me...how old is your Anna out of curiosity?