Lectio Divina - Saint Somewhere Brewing Company

impending

California

4.29/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 5

A-

750ml into a tulip. The cork was cocked and triggered as soon as the cage was loosened, fortunately I was prepared, no eyeballs lost. Pours a deep amber with a ruby twist, massive frothy head with a careful pour, ok lacing, hyperactive nucleation point sustains a cap.

The aroma shares all with Pays Du Soleil . . so I cut & paste

Aroma is a mosh pit of clanging scents. Sometimes a thing can smell somewhat unpleasant but you can't stop wanting to sniff, this is that. The dubbel and the saison are clearly present but it seems a forced pairing, the dubbel is slightly dominant. Nonetheless I keep returning it to my nose.

The taste too is in the vein of Pays Du Soleil except now the saison is dominant yet it retains the strong dubbel initial flavor, light figs, caramel and date. The sour does not go beyond a brief tart dry twang. Very dry lingering aftertaste. Thin bodied slightly astringent mouthfeel.
again a unique dark saison from St Somewhere
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 04:39:00 | More by impending

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a medium reddish brown with a large and fairly dark head that also has a reddish tint--head bubbles around like crazy and makes a bunch of noise, which is cool, but fades pretty quick.

Has a sharp wooden vinegary smell, some brett, some sweet red grape juice, sugar, cherries or raspberries or other fruit, mild sourness, lots going on but doesn't necessarily come together perfectly well.

Taste has a more clear sweet berry fruit character, lots of red grape juice again, some other fruit too, slightly tart but not super sour, some okay wood again, only hints of brett, more sweet than sour.

Very fizzy carbonation, medium thickness to the body other wise, good.

7.2/10

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 00:48:32 | More by AlexFields

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

2.11/5  rDev -45.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Got this one at Total Wine in Tampa. Took the cage off and the cork started to move up so I watied a few mintues and that sucker creeped up until it exploded out. 2012 stamped on the cork when I finally found it.

A - Pours an interesting reddy colour. Cloudy with mild carbonation. Two finger fizzy head fades really fast like an infected beer usually does. After some research on the Saint Somewhere website, this is exactly how the beer is supposed to appear, but I don't really care all that much. No lace, no retention.

S - Lot's of bubblegum. Apples. Fruitiness. No Brett. Mostly berries.

T - Yikes. Wet cardboard? Fruitiness. Ugly flavours. Berries. Definitely not what I was expecting.

M - Strong fizzy carbonation, frothy when you move it around meaning somethings wrong. Foul finish with alcohol and

O/D - Reminds me of Sahti. Lot's of berry and wood characteristics, but not much of anything interesting. I sadly spent $10 on this. A disapointment to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 23:49:03 | More by tbeckett

ckollias

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this 750ml bottle caged and corked beer out of a large snifter glass. Huge pop when opening this baby – just like a champagne cork!

A: Pours a dark brown hazy hue with a thick, 5-finger, white, fluffy, fizzy head that slowly dissipates down the side of the glass leaving a solid persistent lace.

S: Sweet and fruity aroma- mostly peach and apricot.

T: Very sweet, tart, and fruity flavor. Hints of raspberry and other citrus fruits.

M: Very strong and boozy. Medium body and high carbonation.

O: Excellent Belgian Brew. So tasty with great blend of aromas and flavors

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 02:07:51 | More by ckollias

KajII

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

[Sugested Glassware: Tulip Glass]

The pour was a murky cranberry brown with an average (1-2 finger) off white fizzy head that dissipated so fast I had trouble capturing it in a picture, and it basically possessed no lacing at all. Also when I released the retainer on the cork it shot out all on its own, WOW that’s what I call carbonated.

The aroma was nice and tart right off the bat with a strong Brett yeast presence and a big note of ripe dark fruit (grapes, plums, and raspberry) and a slight hint of caramel.

The taste was exceptionally tart with a bold sweet fruity presence throughout, and then had a funky yeast taste work its way into the mix with a mildly sweet and sour fruity ending. Flavor lasted only a short while following the swallow, with the fruity sourness fading quickly leaving behind a slight metallic taste.

Mouthfeel was light in body and very dry in texture with a strong fizzy carbonation.

Overall this is one fantastic Saison with a nice sour Brett yeast presence; in fact I have never tasted anything like it to date. I will definitely be trying anything that this brewer puts out...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 19:59:49 | More by KajII

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Review from 7/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a dark red amber with active thick pale tan head and light lacing. Initial aroma of funk and sour was fortunately not followed by the taste. Dark fruits, sweet malt with a peppery flavor partially due to the high carbonation. Finishes slightly bitter and semi-dry. I liked this quite a bit, a nice saison with a somewhat more malty body than most.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 23:28:13 | More by LiquidAmber

BrownNut

Florida

3.84/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A previous reviewer summed up my feelings exactly, "I think I expected it to be more than it is. Of the Saint Somewhere beers that I've tried, this one has been the least memorable and unique so far." There's nothing particularly wrong with this one but it just falls flat for me in the taste department.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 23:32:36 | More by BrownNut

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

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

Vintage 750 ml bottle aged from January, 2010. This beer uncorked itself in a matter of seconds.

A - Amber bodied brew with a foamy head that quickly fades to a faint lace ring and a central carbonation island. Two big uprising strands of carb moving quickly, looks pretty carbonated.

S - Tangy tart fruit notes up front. A mild sweeetness in the nose, with some sour cherry and apple skin. Sweet caramel and mild banana. Light malt and alcohol esters.

T - At first sip, the beer seemed very bitter but I realized it was a huge rush of carbonation. This beer is subtley malty, with a blend of flavor essences. A strong alcohol bite, that fades into a warming aftertaste. Hints of plum, apple skin, and peach. No noticable hops.

M - Highly carbonated and medium bodied. Warming and crisp.

O - Not what I expected from a saison. I was hoping for a murky funky beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 00:25:53 | More by BeerForMuscle

mrfrancis

Kentucky

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

A: Pours a slightly hazy brownish amber with a minimal, lingering white mousse.

S: A lot of fruity aromas are present on the nose. Apple, tart cherry, pear, and banana are particularly noticeable. There are also extremely subtle candy sugar and caramel aromas present as well. The addition of wild yeast is not as immediately noticeable as in most of their other beers.

T: Notes of lactic yeast, candy sugar, caramel, cream, apple, pear, banana, tart cherry, and gentle spices flit across the palate. The finish is smooth with a nice blend of lactic yeast and spiced fruit flavors.

M: On the lighter side of medium and relatively dry. Carbonation is firm, but also rather subdued. Alcohol is not all that noticeable.

O: This is a really solid saison, but I think I expected it to be more than it is. Of the Saint Somewhere beers that I've tried, this one has been the least memorable and unique so far.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2012 15:08:29 | More by mrfrancis

barczar

Kentucky

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear golden brown in poor lighting, with huge cream head that lingers.

Aroma displays a hint of must, sweet tarts, and tart cherries. There's a hint of funk.

Flavor is a touch bitter, with tart cherry notes, green apples, plum, and bready malt pulling the profile up into a slightly peppery finish. There's a belgian estery character adding complexity. A phenolic note surfaces in the aftertaste.

Body is fairly light, with fairly high carbonation.

Overall, an interesting mix of saison and belgian flavors. Fairly complex.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 01:42:35 | More by barczar

macrosmatic

Florida

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

Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber into pint glass.

A: Hazy deep copper in color, good amount of active carbonation, although forms only a minimal head.

S: Fruity, apple, less banana aroma than expected. Smells sour.

T: Taste is sour, fruity, cherry. There are some slight vinegar undertones.

M: Aftertaste is a little sour and mildly puckering, although it doesn't last long. Average mouthfeel & carbonation presence for the style.

O: An enjoyable beer. My first from St. Somewhere, I'm ashamed to admit since they're so close. But I will be trying others to be sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 18:14:25 | More by macrosmatic

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The sample I got popped and fizzed like a champagne bottle in the locker room of the team that just won the World Series, so open with care and have a big, thirsty towel ready! It pours a clear, dark cinnamon-brown with a very thick, though not persistent, light tan head. Strong aroma is mainly fruity and yeasty with subtle hints of malt and butterscotch. Flavor has a fruity core, more like a cider, with notes of yeast and malt and a hint of caramel. Texture has about average body and a fair amount of fizz. Overall, not too shabby.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 18:50:43 | More by Cyberkedi

kylehay2004

Florida

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

Single finger head on a murky brownish-red body. Aroma is very yeasty with fruity notes, mostly plum and dark fruits with brown sugar. Tangy and tart notes in the flavor are of cherry and orange which are musty however leave a lingering aftertaste which is more than I liked which affects the drinkability. Nice caramel malt profile.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 02:48:52 | More by kylehay2004

One2Remeber

Florida

1.85/5  rDev -52.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Poured into an over-sized tulip

A: Body is a murky brown with an orangish/amber hue. Cloudy and clearly unfiltered. Crazy amount of fizzy, small bubbled head that quickly dissipates after 5 seconds, reminds me of cider.

S: Caramel sweet malts with undertones of funky yeast giving off aromas similar to a permanent marker. Smells like the county fair with notes of grass, butter, candy and heavy booze.

T: Heavy booze, permanent marker is coming to mind. Pretty soapy overall. Not too many kind flavors striking the pallet.

M: Tingling sensation up front turns to a burning alcohol feel.

O: I love this brewery but sadly not this bottle. Marking this up to contamination. Will try another bottle in hopes of changing my mind.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 02:24:51 | More by One2Remeber

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a hazy reddish copper with 3 fingers of tan head that cracks and fizzles as it dissipates. Carbonation appears to be strong but I can see much past the edge of the glass. Has loose webbed lacing.

N: Lemon, apricot, chocolate, toffee, notes of raisin, gentle barnyard yeastiness and subtle coriander spice.

T: Lemon, plum and chocolate covered raisin upfront. Lemon juice, hay, toasted grains and a light barnyard funk show up mid-palate. Finishes with toffee, molasses, earth and a subtle bouquet of sage, coriander and black pepper.

M: Medium bodied, soft, dry and prickly with carbonation.

O: This is a unique blend of Belgian Dubbel and Saison. Damn near perfect 50/50 split between the two styles. Dark fruit, lemony citrus, funk and subtle spicing. Very complex and hides the alcohol extremely well.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 20:55:51 | More by justintcoons

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

Poured into a tulip glass, this "dark saison" was a burnt orange-copper color, murky to the point of being nearly opaque, and a small off-white head that receded almost completely. Aroma of bready yeast, caramel and candi sugar, fruity esters. Similar taste, bready, with notes of caramel, wort, candi sugar, banana, peach, a touch of citrus, and light spices and herbs. A bit tart in the mouth, medium-bodied, and quite drinkable overall.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 12:27:32 | More by Rifugium

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I had this on tap at TJ's -served chilled and allowed to gradully warm.

The color is deep amber with murky look and no head, not very appealing, but not too terrible really. The smell is odd, but interesting -cheese-like funk with a mild sweet stone fruit note and mild spice. The feel is tart with some graininess and light sweetness, the sour tinge is funky with some yeasty qualities.

The flavor is unique but not especially great. There is a slight swiss cheese-like yeast flavor I can't get past, yet there is a fruity cherry-like element in there too which seems to add to the flavor that the yeast provides. There is slight spice in there with some mild alcohol, but in general I struggled to find favorable qualities to savor. I don't recommend this based on my experience. I don't think the combination they envisioned is what I tasted - it has that odd swiss cheese tinge that is distracting to me which hinders the other flavors and overall drinkability to me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 14:50:34 | More by Slatetank

dbmernin83

California

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

Cork shoots off this one immediately after unscrewing the cage. Big head that shrinks to a small puffy line. Amber. I've only seen one other saison this dark, and it was brewed with rye. Oh I just noticed it's a cross between a Dubbel and a saison. Cool
Sweet on the nose, candied berries.
Sticky sweet, raspberries, peaches, a light tartness.
Soft carbonation makes it full on the mouth.
A great brew, but when I want I saison, I want something less sweet. A good twist on the style nonetheless, well executed, just not my preference.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 09:27:41 | More by dbmernin83

mdfb79

New York

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

From 01/28/12 notes. Thanks to jslot38 for sharing this one.

a - Pours a murky reddish brown color with one inch of fluffy white head and low carbonation evident.

s - Smells of brett, funk, sour fruits, spices, yeast, oranges, earthy notes, and wheat. A ton of brett and sour fruits, a really awesome nose.

t - Tastes of brett, spices, yeast, fruity malts, citrus, bready malts, lightly sour fruits, and wheat. Less brett and sourness than the nose, though still nice.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Pretty good for a saison.

o - Overall a very nice saison. I thought the nose was awesome; very funky and full of brett. The taste wasn't quite as sour or funky, but still enjoyable. I tried two of their a few years ago and thought they were ok, but I really like this one...may have to revisit some of their other beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 02:48:04 | More by mdfb79

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

As fresh as can be. I helped bottle some cases and got 6 of these for myself. Waited two weeks and popped the cork.

Poured into my St. Somewhere stemmed glass. Pours a murky amber color with a fizzy white heading. Turns flat after a few ticks and leaves no lacing, only when you swirl it.

Nose I mostly get some sour apple, followed with a slight tart and funky second wave and finishes a little peppery.

Similiar to the nose, a heavy fruity and sour apple mix with a crude hot boozey alcohol. A peppery sting kind of tones things down a bit and settles into a nice funkier, almost brett-like, sour finish.

Mouth is medium bodied, fair carbonation and a nice soft balance. A little on the buttery slick side but good.

All and all probably my least favorite of St. Somewhere but hey I got six of these for my help.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 17:22:31 | More by TheFightfan1

speter

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2010 vintage.

A: Lightly cloudy orange-tan with a fluffy off-white head that fades with little to no lace. Quickly goes nearly flat.

S: Initial whiff of acid sets my mouth awater. Light raisin, plum, brown sugar.

T: The flavor runs counter to the nose, in that it is not sour at all, but almost chocolaty. There is nearly an overtone of Turkish delight and raisins. The finish is rather dry, given the sweetness up-front.

M: Rather light, given the ABV, but the effect is quite pleasant.

O: I love the saison portion of this beer, but once again, I fear my dislike of dubbels persists. Nonetheless, I'm glad to have procured a bottle on a recent trip.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 01:27:19 | More by speter

Beerenauslese

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 2008 bottle aged in my cellar.

Poured into a tulip, produced a copious tan head that quickly dissipated to a thin ring. No lacing at all. Body is a crystal clear reddish copper.

Smells malty sweet, caramel, fruity with raisin/prune notes, and honey.

Tastes malty sweet throughout, though not cloying, with notes of caramel, raisins, and some orange. The flavor is well balanced. Finishes dry with a bit of orange zest.

Body is light as is the carbonation, producing a rather flat mouthfeel.

This does not resemble a saison at all. More like a cross between a dubbel or a quad and a barley wine. It was good for a try, and it is pleasant, though not complex, and I wouldn't go out of my way for it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:11:55 | More by Beerenauslese

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a hazy, copper color with a two-finger, tan head of bubbly foam. It left sticky patches of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of oranges and other fruits. Slightly funky and a touch of mustiness.

T - It tasted somewhat sour and also funky. Some black cherry flavors with a touch of orange zest. It had a sweet malty backbone.

M - It was crisp and sharp without an pucker from the sourness. A medium bodied ale with a good deal of sediment in the bottom of the bottle.

O - This is very unique and very tasty. I've only had two brews from Saint Somewhere and have loved both.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 00:49:03 | More by zeff80

orock25

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Lucky me, a local restaurant was selling these bottles at a deep discount because they couldn't "move them". Much to my surprise the bottle was from 2009.
It had a nice orange amber look to it, not much of a head. The floral and fruity aroma could be picked up from a mile away. crisp and clean taste.
A fantastic offering, lucky me.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 13:41:12 | More by orock25

drvgiordano

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +27.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I have bottled this beer multiple times and I love it! The beer has a nice dry finish to it with appropriate levels of carbonation. What is more important is that this beer ages well. I still have bottles from 2009/2010 that are just as lively as the ones bottled last week. Hints raisin in this beer goes well with the slightly dry finish. This is a great beer for a holiday meal as it is not too heavy in flavor and alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 21:33:02 | More by drvgiordano