Le Merle - North Coast Brewing Co.

xmorgan

California

5/5  rDev +27.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First things first. Saison is a cool concept, but originally this beer should be low alcohol, it's meant to be a potable beverage right?

That said this is a beer for the working class, and after a hard days labor in the field of carpet covered squares, I needed some potable refreshment, for re-hydrating my mind, and body.

The Bistro in Hayward CA. is the place, the atmosphere to accomplish such tasks.

I dig saisons and this beer from North Coast was an awesome interpretation. The bouquet was of flowers and fruits, the taste had a bit of spice, but it had a pleasing evervesance that I really dug. It at almost 8% did not have an alchool prescence that lesser beers at such percentage may have.

Overall, I dig this beer. Drinking a 750ml bottle on my own, gave me time to appreciate it, as it warmed it got better, more drinkable. It reminded me of Pure Mead, at the first taste, and later as my palate dried. This is excellent with strong cheese and fruit. A white wine alternative...

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 04:51:33 | More by xmorgan

jgammoniv

Maine

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-18-2013 12:40:20 | More by jgammoniv

Nunya

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

06-16-2013 18:41:45 | More by Nunya

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

06-15-2013 22:54:41 | More by jaxon53

jkurosaki

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

06-15-2013 22:48:56 | More by jkurosaki

kbrown

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

06-15-2013 22:25:07 | More by kbrown

abeaulieu

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-08-2013 23:21:16 | More by abeaulieu

HattedClassic

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

06-07-2013 23:10:09 | More by HattedClassic

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-07-2013 15:11:09 | More by DeutschesBier

Giantspace

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

06-06-2013 01:19:22 | More by Giantspace

Jsilva982

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

06-05-2013 20:40:49 | More by Jsilva982

Fiore757

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

06-05-2013 01:15:30 | More by Fiore757

Janeinma

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-02-2013 22:48:27 | More by Janeinma

griffeyb

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-02-2013 14:33:01 | More by griffeyb

Davepoolesque

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-01-2013 16:09:43 | More by Davepoolesque

Hunter

Arizona

4.48/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Golden ale, billowy head, decent lacing.

Smell: Fresh notes of wheat, light malt, grassy tones.

Taste: Light, bubbly, almost champagne-like notes of crisp fruit. Very little by way of alcohol, but it makes for a subtle presence in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Light, bracing.

Overall: This is a lovely beer, worth looking into.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 00:10:37 | More by Hunter

DenverBigRed

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-31-2013 22:55:30 | More by DenverBigRed

CelticAleMan

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-28-2013 19:54:55 | More by CelticAleMan

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

05-20-2013 00:56:30 | More by NJB145

jbeervt

Vermont

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-19-2013 16:36:25 | More by jbeervt

rangerred

Tennessee

4.14/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

375ml bottle into a tulip.

Pours a nearly clear medium gold with a huge billowy white head. The head sticks around seemingly forever leaving huge globs of lacing on the sides of the glass.

Spicy aroma with pear, orange, and lemon that is very typical of a Saison. Nothing off at all that I can detect.

Flavor is more pear and lemon with a little bit of orange. There is some bready malt detectable in the background. While bitterness leans towards the light side the mouthfeel is very dry as any good saison should be leaving some lingering spice on the palate.

Overall, a really good example of the style although there is nothing that really stands out as unique. Nonetheless it is one that I would drink on a regular basis if it was cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 01:43:17 | More by rangerred

heygeebee

Australia

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

From Platinum.

Appearance - hazy light gold, less head than expected. Little lace or film.

Smell - yeast, orange peel, lemon zest.

Taste - funk, lemons, yeast, orange peel.

Mouthfeel. - light and zesty.

Overall - a flavoursome Saison.... Many underlying flavours in the base beer. Not as easy drinking as some... Is that a good or a bad thing ? :-)

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 12:50:55 | More by heygeebee

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-16-2013 18:47:56 | More by Slatetank

fatmusic14

Colorado

3.86/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

At first, I thought it looked like a substandard pilsner. I looked closer and noticed the waves upon waves of bubbles floating to the surface like Charlie. Its neverending, really. Decent head, thin but plentiful. Dissipates quickly but leaves about a quarter inch. No lacing.

Smells like the springtime. Herbal, earthy, citrusy with hints of other fruits.

Tastes almost exactly like it smells. Very subtle tones of lemongrass, banana. Not so subtle tones of grapefruit and small malty aftertaste.

M - Top Notch

O - Sure. Go ahead. Grab a few.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:23:31 | More by fatmusic14

CADMixes

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-13-2013 00:47:01 | More by CADMixes