Saison VOS - Sly Fox Brewing Company

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Corked & caged bottle poured into large tulip for review. Cork came out very easy. No audible pop. Appeared cloudy gold with tall, rocky white head. Okay carbonation. Smells mostly lemon with bready wheat. Tastes similar with faint saison yeast character. Tastes medium light & refreshing. Overall, a solid beer. Would like to see more Belgian saison characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 21:01:02 | More by jwhancher

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-clear golden color with a nice white head and some lacing

S-grain, yeast, citrus, pepper, hints of sweetness

T-citrus, grain, slight yeasty funk, pepper, grassy, slight sweetness, moderate bitter finish

F-light to medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp

O-a decent Saison at this price point, easy drinkability

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 12:15:43 | More by MDDMD

Immortale25

Florida

3.31/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter. Label says 5/24/14.

A- Pours a medium golden color with a 1/4 inch white head that doesn't retain long before shrinking to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and light, bubbly surface foam. Slippery non-stick lacing.

S- Sweet wheat smell with plenty of saison yeast aroma. Notes of honey, coriander and a hint of rosemary. Very floral.

T- Flavor is somewhat neutral. A little wheat here, a touch of yeast there plus some very faint spice and a mild alcohol kick. Pretty average all the way around and not much to say.

M- Also a letdown. Medium-low carbonation is nowhere near where I like it to be for this style. Semi-watery feel.

O- I don't know if I just have too high of standards for saisons now that I've had some of the best (Avec Les Bons Voeux, Saison Rue, etc.) but this one just did not do it for me. This is only the second Sly Fox beer I've had, the other being Incubus and I remember enjoying it very much. Shame this wasn't as good.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 02:01:11 | More by Immortale25

Bendurgin

Maine

3.43/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Huge thanks to Centennial for sending this one my way. Poured into a tulip. This one pours a slightly hazy golden straw color with three fingers of fluffy white head. Thick gobs of sticky lace.

Reminds me somewhat of a cider. Apples in the aroma with a sharp tart edge. The pallet gives of notes of sweet apples, wet hay and a bit of grass. Mostly sweet with a funky edge.

The body is medium with soft carbonation. Overall this one is solid. Enjoyable enough.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 01:04:27 | More by Bendurgin

Jacobob10

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yellow-orange color with a large white head. The aroma did not jump out at me but had some nice hints of lemon peel, coriander, and floral hops. Luckily, the flavor packed more of a punch with lemon and peppercorn spice dominating the palate. Dry mouthfeel but it made me want to take another sip. Paired very well with some sushi. Nice offering from Sly Fox and a good representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 19:09:57 | More by Jacobob10

zrab11

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours A nice Golden Orange color with a 2 finger white head

S- Smells of pear and apples, also has some orange notes and grass as well. I also am getting some maleness and yeast.

T- Starts off with a nice sweet fruit flavor. the apples and pears you can taste, it has a nice bitter orange flavor in the middle and finish's with a sugary maltyness.

M- Has a medium body with good carbonation

D-Overall this is a good saison. Not my favorite ever but nothing you can really knock it on.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 01:54:57 | More by zrab11

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Once dislodged, the exploded out of the bottle like champagne. The pour produces 80% head, but it settles quickly, leaving lots of thick webby lace. The liquid has a mild haze. The color is golden.

Classic sour flower smell of a farmhouse ale. Missing is the the barnyard element, which makes this more appealing, IMHO. Light yeast, no hop.

Starts with a mild pale malt (dry) flavor. There is plenty of spice that comes quickly--white pepper, coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon. It is particularly pronounced in the swallow, although the aftertaste fades soon. The alcohol is notable. The body is typical for the style as is the heightened carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 20:44:20 | More by smcolw

confer

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-From the big bottle the cork exploded off when started. A bit of a champagne overflow. Pours a cloudy pale gold with a giant white cotton head.
S-The smell is bananas and lemon there must be hefe yeast in here.
T-Saisons are so all over the place in taste, but this one is very simple and refreshing. It has small hefe banana taste and some citrus and finishes with faint black pepper taste. It leaves a little spicy taste in your mouth.
MO- Light and refreshing in spite of a 6.9 abv. This was one of August beers for our BOTM. It was great pick and I will definitely go for this one again.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 23:01:36 | More by confer

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased at the brewpub in Royersford. Poured into a tulip and my god what a gusher. About the amount of a double shot poured into a glass and the rest is all heading. A bit scary as I my first thought was an infection but no just waiting to get out and be drank. I should have let breath a bit. Anyway A nice hazy yellow body and a crazy amount of bubbling action going on.

Nice fruity aroma's with a beaautiful like syrup sweetness mixed with some grainy notes.

The aroma wasn't that overwhelming but the taste to this bad boy had me excited.Nice wheat malt taste with a tremendous mix of light fruits and candy sugar and finishes with a slight pepperiness.

Nice even steven medium body, with great carbonation.Slight bit of slick butteriness in the mouth but in no way thick and sappy.

Very easy to go down and a very tasty saison.This one had me by surprise.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 20:08:29 | More by TheFightfan1

JunkYardJake

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml to pint glass.
From the pop of the cork and the size of the head, it's safe to assume there's plenty of carbonation. With a soft pour, I still have a glass that's mostly head. As the foam fades, a pale golden elixir rises up my glass. Smells tasty. Lots of ripe fruit and earthy spices. Palate is a tad raw but very tasty and complex. Earthy grains and spices play a big role with a green apple tartness complimenting it. Mouthfeel is lively and quite dry on the finish, making it hard to stop drinking. Solid effort that is worthy of a try and a great choice for warm weather drinking.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 15:19:40 | More by JunkYardJake

sitarist

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Received in the blind bif #4...thanks to sholland119.

Pours a clear, pale golden color. A moderate pour yields half head, and half beer in my glass. The head is white, and frothy. The head falls rather fast to a cap that leaves rings, and spots of lacing.

I smell mild soap, spice, candied ginger, herbs, sourdough, a faint hint of bubblegum, and spring flowers. Very aromatic, and pleasant.

Its flavor is nice and spicy. Coriander, white pepper, herbs, a faint hint of apple, and more flavors that I fail describe.

Medium body, lots of carbonation, and very dry. It feels a bit warm on my tongue.

A delicious beer with an outstanding aroma. A couple glasses of this would leave me satisfied. I would like to try this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 02:11:17 | More by sitarist

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The pour is a slightly hazed golden orange color with a huge white head that eventually settles down.

S: A strong aroma of apple and pear. There's plenty of orange peel, grass, wet hay, and coriander. There's a moderate malt character to it, providing a bit of lightly toasted bread notes.

T: More sweet fruits such as the apples and pears. A definite bitterness that seems to be from an orange peel sort of flavor. There's just a touch of sugar along with some white pepper and pale, cracker malts.

M: The body is medium with a high level of carbonation and a slightly dry finish.

D: The peppery note on the flavor and the wet hay aroma are a bit strong, but otherwise this was not bad.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 07:27:54 | More by womencantsail

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy straw yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, earthy malt, citrus notes, and a nice yeasty presence. In the taste, just like the aroma, earthy, citrus, and a dry yeast. A spice bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry citrus like aftertaste. Nice spice and citrus notes, and good earthy qualities.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 13:05:31 | More by OWSLEY069

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy straw, with a big white head. Initially strange aroma full of grass, spices, and some citrus like sourness. Flavor is more earthy malts, lemon, grass, yeast, spices. Flavor profile is okay but comes across as a bit thin and unrefined compared to better saisons. Not the most perfectly balanced saison but a pretty good value.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2010 12:16:29 | More by JAXSON

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My third installment of Sly Fox thanks to Noslenwerd. This should be refreshing on this hot summer night.

A huge head rises up to take up 50% of the glass and bubbles over the top by almost a finger but holds steady in a round bulge and doesn't run down the sides. It pops slowly creating big pockets of air in the middle but doesn't lose shape easily, as the bubbles are reinforced by all the bubbles rising from the bottom and sides of the glass. As it eventually fades it leaves a mess of lacing all over the place. It's a perfect Belgian head. The beer itself is crystal clear with a light wheat golden yellow color. If it was a slight bit darker it would have been a 5 for appearance.

When I can eventually get my nose in the damn thing I get a nice Belgian saison like aroma, with some toasty malts, light Belgian malts, a light farmhouse dry saison aroma with very light spices, a gentle Belgian sugar sweetness, and a touch of Belgian yeast. A slight fruit comes through, the kind you would get from a typical Belgian blond. The nose brings more sweetness and malts than I expected from the color of the beer, but maintains a lighter composure for the overall aroma.

The taste starts a little rough, with some sweetness and farmhouse bitter spices. It has more of that Belgian candi sugar sweetness with lots of Belgian malts and slightly toasty. It has a sweet candy flavor that brings too much sweetness the table than I would like in what should be pretty dry Belgian Farmhouse Saison. It seems to add a touch of a tangy fruit too, just the slightest sour, almost lemony flavor. I think I get a bit of wheat as well. It does bring a bit of a rustic farmhouse feel to it though.

The mouth comes lighter with decent carbonation, less than I expected for how much head and bubbles it had, but it's been releasing all its carbonation quickly as it goes.

It finishes pretty light and crisp, refreshing at that. As it has a lighter body and feel to it, as well as overall taste, it drinks very well. The finish adds a touch of a sticky sweetness that sticks all over the mouth, but at the same time dries quite a bit from the initial sweet candy taste. A little bit of the lingering Belgian candi sugar as well as some malty qualities, a little bitter and sour lemon peel, and touch of that rustic farmhouse saison quality.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2010 01:19:51 | More by jlindros

thecarster1

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a- corked and caged 750ml bottle poured into a snifter, two fingers of bright white head fades gradually, straw coloring.

s- slight pepper, lemon, lightly hopped, grassy.

t- white pepper, light lemon, some nice bitterness lingers, some grain, tasty saison!

m- light to medium bodied.

d- really nice saison, i would drink this again, i split the bottle with several non beer geeks, and it was enjoyed by all!

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 03:22:10 | More by thecarster1

mstyne

New York

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Caged and corked bomber from Beverage Mart on NY 66.

Best by 2/5/10. Oops. Does not seem to be any worse for wear. Pours a hazy golden-yellow with a thick (~1") creamy head and minimal lacing. Sharp spice and citrus throughout.

Very tasty brew. Would definitely like to see if there's a difference if I were to get one that was a bit fresher.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2010 23:36:34 | More by mstyne

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

75 cl

Pours a clear honey gold with a big fluffy white head. Dissipates down but retains about a millimeter of head.

Smells of citrusy malts and wild yeasts.

Taste is similar. Light, citrusy, wild yeasts, and fresh grain malts.

Body is moderate to full with minimal carbonation.

Very good. Easy to drink. Not quite as nuanced or potent as some but it gets the job done.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 23:57:47 | More by Cylinsier

aerozeppl

New York

3.98/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Very clear golden color. Poured with a finger of white head with some very nice lacing.

S: Quite sweet in the nose. A touch of corn in the nose. A slight touch of fruitiness.

T: Sweet up front. A little bit of fruit in there as well. Very nice balance.

M: Very dry. Well attenuated.

D: Easy drinking. Super easy drinking and a great bargain. A friend brought this bottle from the souce.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2010 22:02:17 | More by aerozeppl

BigMike

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a caged and corked 750ml bottle into a tulip glass. Best date of 8/4/11.

Pours a slightly hazy yellow color with about a three finger head. The head is white and thick and looks like beaten egg whites. Great lacing. Very effervescent.

Smell is peppery lemon zest. Lots of spices. Clove and coriander.

Flavor is very similar to the smell. Lots of lemon zest and spicey pepper, cloves and coriander. Very sweet on the finish.

Very light mouthfeel. Fresh and clean. Very smooth on the palate and easy to swallow.

This is a great summer time beer and a style i'll definitely check out more during the warmer months. This is highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2010 23:21:58 | More by BigMike

FirstMan

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased this on a recent trip to State College, PA.

Pours deep golden and not as hazy as some of this style, but a slight cloudiness. Nice pillowy head takes a couple minutes to diminish. Sticky lacing after a few sips.

Nose has initial tinniness followed by a warm buttery clove and lightly fruity sweetness.

Similar aspects in the mouth with a very well balanced and light mixture of citrus, yeasty plantain, subtle clove and a pleasing bitterness at the back.

Mouthfeel us full and warm. Slick.

Overall a very nice representative of the style as it often appears in the US. Not as complex and well balanced as you'll find in northern Europe, but well done.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 01:23:18 | More by FirstMan

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a cloudy dep yellow color with big carbonation and a big white head. Nose is clove, grain, banana and wheat. taste is light hops, citrus from prange peel, spiciness, banana, clove and wheat. Very nice. Mouthfeel has a light alcohol bite with a spiciness and lightly tart. Very drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2009 05:26:48 | More by barleywinefiend

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got this brew from mday, Thanks Mike!

750ml bottle served in a snifter.

Clear golden color with a fluffy white head that hung around and left thick layers of lacing. I poured very slow and kept all the sediment in the bottle.
Candied sugar sweet and yeasty aromas.
Very good tasting brew, plenty of sweetness but not overboard with a bit of fruity tartness towards the finish.
Medium bodied, crisp and light feel.
Easy to drink and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2009 22:41:40 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

Stunner97

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- nice yellow color, white head, beautiful small bubbles stream the glass

Smell- Fruit, spice, and yeast with a very lively nose, plenty belgian spice and yeast

Taste- crisp refreshing flavor, strong yeast spice and coriander, slight citrus, overall decently refreshing flavor

Mouthfeel- medium to light, very crisp and decently carbonated

Drinkability- its a very refreshing beer for sure, nothing earth shattering but a solid example of the style that would certain make a nice session beer

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2009 06:43:05 | More by Stunner97

OnThenIn

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Two fingers of beautiful cloudy white head. There is some seriously wonderful carbonation in this beer. The color is a very see through yellow that just won't stop fizzing. This was the most beautiful beer I have ever seen.

Smell: A very clean smell that reminds me of a few lagers I have had. A little earthy, with some nice malt aroma. A wonderful smell of fruity yeast smell is present.

Taste: This definitely has the definitive saison taste I am used to , but with a great deal of fruit and citrus flavors. There is definitely some sweet malt in this beer.

Mouthfeel: This beer has an aweome crisp finish with a medium body. The only issue I really have with this beer at all is that it seems a too carbonated for me.

Drinkability: Personally, I love this beer. I have had a few saisons and this is an exceptional example. I prefer it even to Hennepin. As I already said, I the carbonation was a bit much for me . I think I would have given this beer a high A if it wasn't for the carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2009 00:00:10 | More by OnThenIn