Ovila Abbey Saison - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

DCon

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap @ Pizza Port Brewing in Carlsbad, CA for $4.75. Tapped from the Black Non-Labeled Tap Handle (with Sierra Nevada Label above it) into a 13oz Tulip Glass.

Aroma- Huge amount of hop from the beginning of the smell. There are a good amount of spices mixed in and then has citrus aroma at the end. Not much sour characteristics and the malt is hidden with the hop aroma...

Appearance- Light golden body that you can see perfectly through with 3 fingers of puffy head that leaves huge, thick lacing.

Flavor- Starts very fruity and sour. The fruits are lemon like and have to do with the malt character. There is a spicy hop taste that keeps the beer interesting all the way through. There is an extra long finish and it more sweet than hoppy. Great!

Mouthfeel- Light- Medium Bodied, High Carbonation, and leaves hop on the palate (more earthy though...).

Overall Impression- This was such a complexed Saison, I hope to see these in bottles soon to have! Very refreshing, nice fruit attributes, and the hops used aren't too overpowering but add a good balance to the beer. This one took me awhile to sip on but I loved every second of it! Would recommend!

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 16:20:24 | More by DCon

mikechance

California

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My tasting is from a 22 oz bottle. It pours to a nice hazy gold color with a small head. I'm picking up lots of earthy smells including grass and nutmeg. It has a very smooth taste with is heavy on bananas, wheat flavors and pepper with a little wheat-beer aftertaste. For me, this is a much better beer than the Dubbel (released earlier this year). I’m looking very much forward to the final release --- a Trappist-style Quadrupel in time for the holidays.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 00:45:10 | More by mikechance

crusian

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bottle from the local bottle shop.
As i twist the cage off, I always ave a flashing thought of the cork exploding out, as I am sure oh so many of us have. The cage comes off without the cork, so thats good. I slowly pull the cork out, glass ready, and BAM, the cork flies and I immediately get that panic, even though i was still half expecting it... glass in hand almost right away to catch all the nothing that flows from the bottle. And now I kind of feel stupid as I stand there waiting for a gusher.
Anyway... pours with a nice few finger of head a dark mustard/golden color. Head actually fades very quickly which is a bit unusual.
Nose is very bready, and actually quite boozy... then turns into a somewhat of a 99 bananas smell, but not quite AS boozy or AS banana... after it warms it turns more toward the saison... earthy with a hint of sweetness. This is very interesting smelling the changes as this changes in temperature. Smells more like a hefe when colder,then turns more to a saison.
Taste is like a cross between a hefe and a saison. it definitely has a strong wheat presence mixed with hay, boozy finish, a bit of lemon. Very dry earthy finish with a bit of a bitter aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 20:10:09 | More by crusian

Forb

Nebraska

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Corked from a 750ml bottle...

Appearance: Hazy yellow to orange to amber hue that shows plenty of rising carbonation into a massive 4 finger head.

Smell: Complex earthy elements of freshly cut grass accompanied by spice and fruit aromas.

Taste: Earthy elements come forward predominantly with the spicy complexity of citrus fruit sparking the flavor finishing with a subtle peppery closure.

Mouthfeel: A light to medium body, dry, crisp, and utterly refreshing in carbonation.

Overall: Similar to the Ovila Dubbell; this beer just comes across much easier to drink. Clearly a summertime beverage just layered with complex flavoring to intrigue ones pallet. Try it while it's around!!

Prosit!

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 04:03:54 | More by Forb

GilGarp

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL corked and caged bottle served cold into a goblet.

Ovila Saison is a slightly hazy golden yellow color with a thick white cap. It settles slowly leaving a little lace as it does.

Aroma is really pleasant with great floral and fruit notes.

Flavor is mild but complex with minty, peppery, spice character over a light fruity, banana and lemon base. Very good balance of flavors and easily sippable.

Mouthfeel is medium-light in body and well carbonated. Alcohol isn't that strong and that's how it comes across.

Overall a good saison but not an excellent one. Similar to their version of a dubbel, a solid attempt but not up there with the best of the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 22:28:40 | More by GilGarp

rlee1390

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Cloudy orange with a finger of lacing.

S-Light citrus notes, with pine and grass there as well.

T-Great blend of citrus and grass. Ends with some spicy bitterness.

M-Light with a good bit of carbonation and very crisp.

O-Another great beer from the Ovila series. A solid Saison.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 16:51:02 | More by rlee1390

SFLpunk

Vermont

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz pour at the farmhouse tap & grill.

Beautiful orange with thick bone white head. Nose is very fruity and spicy. Lots of earthy notes, very complex. Palate is crisp and appropriately sharp. Flavor match aromas but white pepper and lavender come out. Long, floral finish. Lovely but expensive.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 03:02:21 | More by SFLpunk

ehammond1

California

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap

K&B Wine Cellars
San Diego, CA

Clear golden orange and yellow. Very thin white head. Not much lacing at all down the glass. Somewhat disappointing.

Beautifully aromatic beer. The lemon and sweet citrus stand out, along with the Belgian yeast, some sweet and slightly tangy farmhouse notes, and a comforting, somewhat bready malt backbone. Very nice.

The flavor isn't quite as outstanding as the aroma. A relatively sweet saison--lemon, citrus, pear, Belgian yeast tang--all comes together very nicely.

A good, medium bodied farmhouse ale. Easy to drink.

A simple, somewhat sweet and uncomplicated, saison. Great on a hot day.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2011 14:52:55 | More by ehammond1

HalfFull

California

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a corked and caged 750 ml. bottle into a wine glass, this beer opens with a boisterous pop yet does not overflow the bottle. Shows a clear and deep golden with an inch of white foam, offering solid retention and light lacing.

Aromas of yeast and lemony saaz hops, pleasant bits of spice are well evident. Pleasant nose is refreshing and rather addictive, with a great malt/yeast balance and a lack of apparent sweetness.

Bits of orange and coriander on the tongue. Nicely effervescent yet without the sweetness often encountered. A well disguised 7 percent brew. Finish might be construed as a bit brief but given the lightness on the taste this doesn't deter for me.

Bottom line: Sason Dupont is cheaper and more refined.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 06:37:01 | More by HalfFull

draheim

Washington

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750mL bottle (code 1151619:09) poured into a Hennepin glass.

Deep golden, gorgeous color w/ a 2-finger white head that fades slowly to a white film.

Aroma is yeast, pepper, coriander, and some floral notes.

Taste follows nose - yeast, spices, maybe a little pear and apple. Not especially complex, with a crisp, dry bite on the finish.

Mouthfeel is a little lacking on this one; carbonation doesn't compare to some other saisons I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 02:52:38 | More by draheim

flexabull

California

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The 2nd Ovila beer has arrived, and it's a Saison, nice.

Pours a bright gold color with a very nice white head. Looks nice!

Aromas are of lemon zest, spices, bubble gum, and yeast.

Taste is clean, crisp, and dry. Light lemon zest, spices, yeast, and some lightly sweet creamy and doughy malt flavors. Finish is soft, with some bright clove flavors.

Mouthfeel is pretty good, but feels a touch thin.

Overall, this is a nice take on the Saison style. The Ovila Dubbel was nice, this tastes even better. I have to say though, the price tag on these Ovila beers have made them a 1 and done.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 01:17:52 | More by flexabull

Halcyondays

California

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours a yellow-orange with a medium white head, average retention, some spotty lace.

S: Lots of pear and yellow apple, the Belgian yeast is apparent. Some light spice.

T: Pears and apricots with a hint of orange. Some residual sugar keeping everything in balance. Hop flavour is minimal, but adds a pleasant earthy backbone.

M: Soft carbonation, easy drinking, medium-bodied overall, very smooth.

O: Sierra Nevada's Ovila label impressed with the dubbel and now with the saison. This is a fantastic American saison beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 21:45:29 | More by Halcyondays

AnswerInQuestion

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours a golden/honey/orange, with a little less than a finger of head off the tap that quickly recedes to a thin film along the edges and in the center of the glass. Cloudier than most other saisons I've had.

S- sweet apricot, golden raison, orange zest and belgian yeasty yeast...also something just a bit funky. I wouldn't call it horse blanket, its just a bit sour, almost soggy and faintly unpleasant if sniffed too long.

T- tastes more like a belgian golden than a saison. Not quite as spicy/spiced, with the most pronounced flavors coming from the malt: light apricot and sweet malt. Some citrusy sourness develops as the beer warms. Traditional saison funk most noticeable in the aftertaste, which makes the beer taste unbalanced after all is said and done.

M- adequate carbonation for the style, but a bit too thin coming onto the tongue, and too dry, astringent almost in the aftertaste from the citrus notes. I suppose that's alright for the style though.

O- I'm enjoying this beer, but its not as spicy/funky as I think a saison usually aims to be. Tastes more like a belgian golden or tripel. Very drinkable, nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 06:04:33 | More by AnswerInQuestion

trappistlover

Arizona

3.35/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

(750ml bottle from Papago). Pours a hazy orange-yellow color with off-white head. Active carbonation. Aroma has lots of wheat, some citrus and loads of yeast--much like a hefeweizen. Taste is sweet with some bitterness. There is a bit of an off-taste, but its not too distracting. Medium bodied with a creamy texture. Smooth finish. Not that traditional for a saison, but a decent beer. I though the dubbel was closer to style.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 03:57:12 | More by trappistlover