Pays Du Soleil - Saint Somewhere Brewing Company

impending

California

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-

750ml into a tulip, the cork says 2009. As soon as the cage was loosened the cork rocketed away alarmingly. Pours a deep nearly clear orange amber garnet, orange tinged massive head recedes to a cap that lingers, ok lacing.

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.

Strong dubbel initial flavor, light figs, caramel and date. Tart on the cusp of going sour. Very nicely dry, strong vinous notes. Deep grape cherry mineral aftertaste. Between thin and medium bodied creamy mouthfeel. Absolutely odd, if this was nearly dead still I would think BFM was the brewer. unique
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:45:54 | More by impending

JeffreyJDavis

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 750ml into a Riedel Stemless Goblet. 2012 vintage purchased in Florida, I think it's pretty fresh.

A: Doesn't really look like a Saison at all, deep copper orange color, mildly turbid, very expressive head which subsides very quickly with a residual carbonation stream.

N: Lovely nose, plenty of funk up front with floral, apple and sweet berry scents. Smells pretty complex and inviting.

T: Slightly disappointing based on the nose. I get the funk and the sweet citric fruitiness, but it doesn't really have a lot of complexity. Malt emphasis is stronger than would be expected for a farmhouse ale. Not bad in any way, but not quite as involved as a top shelp Saison. No Peppery finish, etc.

MF: Very light and refreshing, I would classify the body as light to thin. Strong carbonation which keeps the palate clean. Very little clinging at the tail of the sip. Not as crisp as a full on Saison but no lingering coating feeling either.

O: My first Saint Somewhere, and I'm not disappointed. Not world class in any way, but nicely done. I'm anxious to explore their range more fully.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 02:02:38 | More by JeffreyJDavis

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

It appears that the version I picked up is the 2010 vintage. Not much to loose since it was 5 bucks for the bomber

A - Very bubbly an lively yet I only get a 1/4 inch of head that fizzes to a constant flow lace ring. Color is quite dark for a farmhouse ale kind of a hazy deep cherry wood oak.

S - Funky with sour dough notes and cherries. Maybe some dark fruits. Might be some Brett and funk too with some hazy. It's not very offending for 2 years old.

T - A tad bit of skunk is delivered from the sour dough like bread body. Notes of apple cider vinegar and tart lemon mixed in with some hay. Earthy and bitter grapefruit yet not from hops. Not bad.

M - Not as bubbly as I figured still quite popping with the carbonation.

Overall I am pretty sure I don't like old farmhouse beers. Still quite a cool label though.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 05:04:57 | More by DrDemento456

brockdidntslide

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

bottle had a nice "pop" like a bottle of bubby might. the beer is light, somewhat fruity and sparkling wine-like with a quickly dissipating head. it has saison characteristics and develops into a semi-interesting, if not remarkable, combination of flavors. if it's really 8% ABV as the label says, it does an amazing job of hiding it.

on the downside, it's very thin (almost see through) and not especially memorable. glad i tried it but not one that i would necessarily seek out again. it's more bartles and james than i want in my beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 22:24:45 | More by brockdidntslide

morimech

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Cloudy copper color with a large head that quickly disolves into a thin skim. Acts a lot like a sparkling wine. Not much for lacing either.

Smells very Belgian like. Fruity yeast esters and Belgian quality malt and candied sugar.

Strange combination of flavors but it works in this beer. A lot of yeast esters with the malt profile of a darker Belgian beer. Sweet, fruity flavor with caramel and earthy qualities.

Feels very light and thin for an 8% ABV beer. Carbonation seemed to have lost all its spirit during the pour as it is now relatively flat.

Interesting enough beer. Did not execute in all areas but was good were it really mattered.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 17:58:25 | More by morimech

ckollias

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 750 bottle out of a pint glass.

A: Hazy copper hue with a fizzy, white, solid persistent lace with trail down the glass.

S: Strong sharp fruity aroma.

T: Fruity flavor with a slightly Belgian yeast taste. Dry grapefruit and finishes on the dry side of sweet.

M: Feels like a bubbly Champaign. Medium body and high carbonation

O: Excellent Belgian Ale – great flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:10:19 | More by ckollias

KajII

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

[Suggested Glassware: Tulip Glass]

The pour was a murky medium brown with a slight reddish hue and an average (1-2 finger) light brown fizzy head that dissipated in a matter of seconds, leaving behind very light puddling with a very small collar and light runny lacing.

The aroma was musty and tart with a mild grain malt and a strong funky Brett yeast with notes of green apple, pears and a strong berry odor.

The taste was tart right off the bat, with a big dose of sweet fruit which lasted throughout and had a nice sour ending. The flavor stuck with you for a good while letting the fruity sour taste linger on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was just a tad past light in body and dry in texture with an extremely fizzy carbonation.

Overall this brew is right up my alley lately, tons of flavor and a strong sour finish. It is also made in my home town of Tarpon Springs, FL. Guess I will just have to visit this brewery...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 16:13:01 | More by KajII

BrownNut

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - 4.0 - Medium amber, darker than other saisons I've seen. Loudly fizzy off white head that disspiates quickly but then keeps replenishing itself with lots of carbonation to maintain a solid cap for most of the glass.

S - 4.0 - Fruity but mutedly so. Faint funk. There's almost a fabric kind of thing going on as I sip slowly with my nose in the fresh head, inhaling.

T - 4.0 - Funk, refreshing, sharp nectarine initially that teeters on the edge of green apple later, that familiar Belgian candi taste, moderately tart.

M - 4.5 - Medium bodied, just a bit viscous, and pleasantly so. Contrasting that is tiny bit of a citric sting in the back of the throat after you swallow and a bit of carbonation zing on the tongue. Doesn't seem like it should be able to have the properties of thick and thin at the same time but it does. Very interesting. Finishes just at the edge of dry.

O - 4.25 - A very interesting and delicious beer. It's just tart enough to make you keep chasing it with another sip and another sip. But its body makes each of those sips substantial and satisfying. Really a well done beer. I consider it very good for the style and would rate it higher except other styles reach loftier heights.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 00:11:20 | More by BrownNut

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a murky, hazy brownish amber with a thin, lingering white mousse.

S: Aromas of clotted cream and oak from the brettnomyces are immediately evident on the nose, but are quickly followed by scents of candy sugar, milk chocolate, and caramel.

T: Notes of milk chocolate, earthy hops, leather, candy sugar, caramel, dried fruit, oak, herbs, and clotted cream fill the mouth. The finish is tart and funky with brettanomyces flavors completely taking over.

M: Medium in body, smooth, creamy, milky, and silky. Carbonation is present, but is not distracting. There is no alcohol burn whatsoever.

O: An earlier reviewer noted that this tastes almost like a cross between a dubbel and a saison, and I have to say that his analysis is spot on. With all of the toasty malt character of a dubbel and all of the earthy, yeasty funk of a saison, this is beer is an interesting and fantastically executed hybrid. Try it if you're a fan of quirky Wallonian ales.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2012 13:15:26 | More by mrfrancis

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very hazy to cloudy copper to garnet red to medium brown in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall fizzy light tan head that reduces to just the tiniest of rings at the edge of the glass. No lacing is observed.

S: Moderate aromas of sweet berries and lighter floral notes, light fruits (apple, pear, grape), hints of brett, and some brown sugar sweetness. Light hints of barnyard funk and some vinous/vinegary notes.

T: The beer tastes similar to the smell though the vinous/vinegary notes are quite a bit stronger. There is a definite upfront sweet funkiness that seems to include brown sugar, light fruit, and brett. Additionally there is a strong presence of berries.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to high amounts of carbonation.

O: This beer feels like a hybrid of a Belgian Dubbel and a Saison... Very interesting with the sweetness from the dubbel and the light sourness/funkiness from the saison and brett. Easy to drink since it is not overly sweet or sour/funky and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 21:22:22 | More by dbrauneis

champ103

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Avenue Pub in New Orleans, LA

A: Pours with a huge white head. Rings of sticky lace. A great bright and vibrant orange/red color.
S: Tartness up front in the nose. Funky yeast. Lots of fruits. Apples, pears, cherries. A big acidic twang as well. I love it.
T: Follows the nose with a tart , acidic twang, and funky yeast. Fruits explode with apples, pears, and cherries again. Again, I love it.
M/D: A medium body that is crisp and smooth at the same time. So easy to drink. A great beer to sip on during the hot summer.

Everything I enjoy in a Saison. A great funk, and lots of character. I think this is really well made. Something I would recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2012 04:47:09 | More by champ103

isaiahcutright

Oklahoma

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a red-orange almost coffee color no head high carb but not very lasting. 2010 vintage.

Smell of sour, yeast apple cherry.

Taste is full of the sweet and sour flavor green apple and tart cherries a nice malt back bone dry finish very nice, very drinkable.

Overall a nice unique sour ale very refreshing and dry and nice after supper beverage.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 02:47:03 | More by isaiahcutright

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

750 oz bottle poured into a tulip at refrigerator temperature. I had this beer before at Brewvival and loved it. Finally getting around to actually reviewing it.

L - Amber-brown color with a 1-finger bubbly white head. Average retention, no lacing. Tons of carbonation bubbles. A little darker than I expected from a Saison.

S - There is the telltale barnyard funk of Brettanomyces up front, followed by aromas of caramel, brown sugar, sour grapes and apples, orange zest, and spicy Belgian yeast. Smells great and very complex.

T - Not nearly as tasty as I thought it would be considering the aroma. Still complex but not necessarily the good, “wow this has so many delicious layers” complex; more like the “I can’t figure out what’s going on and I don’t like it” complex. The funky Brett is still definitely apparent followed by a somewhat burnt sugar sweetness, a Belgian yeast spiciness, and a subtle bitter earthy hop finish. Not nearly as fruity or sour as the nose suggested.

F - Light-to-medium bodied, tons of carbonation, and a dry and slightly bitter finish.

O - I’ve got to say I was disappointed by this one. I remember this beer being a lot better, and the aroma suggested that I was going to be in for a treat. That simply was not the case. I had another Saint Somewhere beer at Brewvival (Athene C) that I loved, so I’ll have to try some more of their beers soon before I write them off.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 20:50:50 | More by BlackBelt5112203

Swim424

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a palm tulip

A-pours an amberish orange. Sort of glows up to the light. Fat bubbly head that falls instantly.

S-Smells very fruity. Sort of a yeasty fruitiness to it. No hops. More fruity than malty. Has sort of a clean, crisp, carbonation scent.

T-very fruity. Again sort of a yeasty fruitiness to it. Has some apricot and tart apple flavors. More fruity than malty. No hops.

MF-very carbonation. Very thin feel. Could use more body and a bit less carbonation.

O-Pretty good. Nothing exceptional. Wouldn't mind having this again though. Tastes like a mix between a dubbel, tripel, saison, and sour. Pretty good still. Decent price as well.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 04:02:11 | More by Swim424

Marty30

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750 ml bottle served cold and allowed to warm up. Cork says 2010. Poured into a Duvel tulip.

A. Body is a clear ruby red when held up to the light. Off-white two finger head that disapated extremely quickly. Very well carbonated.

S. Slight acidic funkiness, sour grapes,green apples,wet grass. There is an almost astringent alchohol smell.

T. I kind of wasn't expecting this, I get some fig and caramel and toffee and a slight fruitiness like you would find in a tripel. I get a touch of rye spiciness. I can really taste the booze.

M. Very light bodied and extremely carbonated. A slight tart dry finish.

Overall the aroma didn't match the taste,which wasn't bad but I felt it was kind of all over the place. I am certainly glad I got to try this, but this will probably be my last.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 22:45:22 | More by Marty30

gatornation

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

corked and caged 750ml bottle 2010 vintage

A- pours amber orange color with a 2 finger off white head a touch of lacing

S- was tart fruit with barnyard musty funk some sour apple with some sweet toffee

T- unique for a saison as i got some dark fruit tastes with some sweet toffee then some sour apple notes and musty funk

M- mine was nicely carbonated it had a tart and fruit sour mix with a dose of sweetness

O- another great brew from tarpon springs, these brews seem to age excellent thier taste is outsanding

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 21:51:14 | More by gatornation

PorterLambic

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drinking with the owner and staff of the brewery at the brewery. Does it get any better? No, it doesn't unless you are the brewer. This beer can't get any fresher, it hasn't even left the building yet!
Arrives a beautiful coppery orange with a nice white head. Retention is minimal, dropping to a thin film in a few moments. Clear and bright.
Smell is full of malt, yeast, orange and a wee bit of spice (light).
Taste is tart with malt, yeast and orange and grapefruit notes.
Medium-light body, effervescence is sharp to start but falls off nicely. Slightly drying with a light coating. A nice grapefruit/yeast aftertaste. A really nice, tart brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 16:43:44 | More by PorterLambic

Immortale25

Florida

4.26/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a snifter. No freshness date...wait a minute. After removing the cage, the top of the cork says 2009. Hopefully they just had an overabundance of corks that year and still use them to this day.

A- Pours a medium brown color with more than two fingers worth of off-white head (from a slow pour) that retains a good while, yet surprisingly leaves little lace behind it.

S- Funky yeast smells that border on medicinal but bear enough sweet fruitiness to not indicate a full-on sour. Some alcohol fume.

T- A powerful glass taste at first that mellows out after a few sips to let in the rest of the flavors which include a restrained tartness, barnyard-type yeast and some faint malt tones. Also some cinnamon and clove spice.

M- High carbonation and a slight drying from the tartness.

O- A very easygoing sour that's not that sour. Seamless combination of flavors. One of my new favorite breweries.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 04:53:09 | More by Immortale25

01001111

California

4.65/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Cloudy, warm copper.

S: Fresh, green apples and raspberries. Crisp, tart, and bright.

T: Fruit forward with a building tartness. The slight sour flavor dissipates and gives way to yeast and malts, like fresh, whole wheat bread.

M: Carbonation gives the initial impression of lightness and crispness but, as the bubbles settle, this gives way to a full bodied mouthfeel.

O: Another exemplary Belgian inspired ale from St. Somewhere. Great balance in flavor; a clear, sunny spring day distilled into a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 01:43:48 | More by 01001111

danedelman

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-copper color with little head.

S-smells great with a nice funk smell, slight sourness too.

T-I get a sour kick at first that turns into a maltyness with some off flavors that I cannot pinpoint. After the smell, I was hoping for much more. smell did not dictate at all the flavor.

M-light and bubbly. not much going on in this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 19:02:35 | More by danedelman

Lakes

Idaho

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 01/04/2012. Bottled 2009

Lovely color and a pretty off white head that faded rapidly. Nothing but a tiny ring remained less than a minute after a brisk pour. It appears still.

Lively aroma. Tart fruit and sweet malt. Not orange blossom but close. Less sweet and more fruity.

Taste is slightly boozy and mildly tart. Faintly earthy and very subtle hop bitterness on the back. Some sweetness of the malt comes through but sweet is not how I'd describe this beer at all. My daughter said it was quiet. I'd call it subtle.
I like it.

The carbonation I thought was missing hits you right up front. It's not quite campaign like but close.

Overall I'm happy with this beer and will likely buy another.

EDIT: This beer is decidedly NOT a dubbel. It's an American wild.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 03:30:02 | More by Lakes

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First full review in quite a while, it seems. Starting back up with something special: a 2009 bottle of Pays du Soleil from a recent LIF with Stankonia. Thanks for the beer, man!

Brewed about two years ago – the cork is emblazoned with 2009. A Belgian-style beer with age? Yes please.

A: Love the head – stark white and incredibly fluffy-smooth. It’s meringue on top of a light pumpkin-orange. Lacing is sparse, but the head remains at about an inch for a while. Looks thick and Belgian, with enough glimmer to catch the eye.

S: Fruity, smooth dubbel aromas abound: fig, mango, peach, and other sweet vinous fruits, on a bed of hay and toffee. The palate evolves into a yeasty, cinnamon treat, big on a baked apple and candied almonds. Finishes with a bitter, medicinal booziness.

T: An interesting take on Belgian style; starts off with a metallic lemon pang, sweet with fruit and bitter with rind. Next is rich pineapple and cherry glaze over a foundation of woodiness, a dry, fruity pine-cone flavor. Belgian yeast is strong and bready: a powerful taste. Finishes dry like most Belgians, with a bread-crust and ginger root aftertaste.

M: This one has a bubbliness that just won’t let up; it might be just a product of this one’s age, though. Still smooth and, indeed, rich.

O: A drinkable, smooth Belgian. Good flavors all around, making me wonder what was there originally and what ended up coming out with age. Whatever the case, it's easy to tell that the brewers at Saint Somewhere have their heads in the right place.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 17:03:39 | More by BarryMFBurton

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I got a bottle of this from the brewery on their first tour night.

Poured into my st. somewhere wine glass. Color is a hazy amber color with a slight orange tint to it. Heading rises fast and disappears quickly. Very little lacing left behind.

Some light fruits and citrus in the nose as well as a slight touch of sour and perfume.

Taste is a bit of the same nice tropical like fruits with a citrus touch. Slightly spicey and peppery and finishes with a nice alcohol kick but not too overwhelming.

Mouth is slightly slick and buttery. Medium bodied with low carbonation.

Very enjoyable drink. One of the best American made Dubbel's.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 16:41:27 | More by TheFightfan1

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a ruby red with amber highlights with 1 finger of head that vanishes instantly. Champagne-like carbonation rushes from the center of the glass. Excellent clarity. A thick film clings to the side with hardly any lacing. Very inviting.

Second pour is a murky orange/mahogany with yeast sediment.

N: Very funky with notes of rich caramel, tropical and citrus fruits and hints of clove.

T: WOW! This is absolutely delicious! Upfront are some of the best yeast notes I've ever tasted along with rose petals (hibiscus), plum, pear, delicate earthy hops, hints of citrus and tropical fruits and perhaps a speckle of coriander. Mid-palette has more pear, more barnyard, red grapes, honeydew melon, caramel, bright lemony citrus and herbal tea. Finishes with leftover funk, plums, juicy lemon, earthy hops, hints of clove and a note of leather in the throat. I honestly don't feel I can do justice describing how good this tastes!

M: Light-medium bodied, juicy, crisp, clean, delicate and 100% refreshing.

O: Insanely balanced, delicate, subtle, complex and completely delicious! The combination of flavors are perfection. Easy drinking with an ever so slight alcohol presence. A+

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 02:52:49 | More by justintcoons

pitasoup

Tennessee

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

thanks to beerdy for the generous extra bottle.

A: pours hazy amber that turns to murky as more of the dregs are stirred up. A fair color but not that would be expected from a belgian saison.

S: belgian yeasts, funk/brett, raspberries, cherries, lemon/lime tartness, apricot. A hint of foot-stink in the glass. Am I preparing for a lambic?

T: slightly: wheat, metallic, and tart - similar to the sells but a young lambic harshness, lots of yeast and phenols...minus the sweaty-sock-ness. Subtle peach and plum flavors once you get over the yeasts.

M: cloying yeasts, traditionally belgiany, and lingering in a manner that disrupts the significant floral and fruity smells. There are a lot of lambic/brett-aged aspects to this bottle. Rose, lavender, blueberry, and raspberry flavors persist, on nose, tongue and taste, despite the somewhat harsh yeasts. I'd compare this very favorably to CdF - and might ask for more.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 06:15:32 | More by pitasoup