Guava Grove Saison - Cigar City Brewing

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a DFH bulbous kind of glass. Seved at about 50F. Emerges slightly hazed and somewhat amber in color. Topped with a nice, large white head that is three fingers thick. Great retention with lacing that leaves a sticky veil among the sides of the glass.

Aroma is very saison like. Spicy and peppery with chalkiness. I dont really smell any guava, ar much of any fruits for that matter. Hugely yeasty with some belgian characteristics.

Although there was no fruit in the aroma, there is quite a bit of fruitiness in the flavor profile. Guava is present, as well as peach and mango; very tropical. More od the spiciness with white pepper and corriander on the tongue. Quite complex as the beer warms closer to room temperature.

A solid saison by any means. I like the bit of tropical fruitiness in this one. This style can. Get spicy and very dry and this one is less so. Still dry, clean finish, with a medium body and great carbonation. I definitely liked this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 23:04:40 | More by SaCkErZ9

BrownNut

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle to tulip, served cool. First glass with no yeast sediment, second glass with yeast sediment.

A - 4 - Really pretty, rich, orangey-amber. Head is off white, actively fizzy, non-creamy, and dissipates to a scattered film within a couple minutes. Beautiful beer, not beautiful head.

S - 4 - Saisony, lemony

T - 4 - My recall of guava flavor is dim, but I think I remember it being mild. I don't notice anything in this that particularly guava-like. There is a slightly gummy thing happening, like maybe they used guava paste, but not really a guava flavor.

M - 3.5 - Medium-light body. Surprisingly leaves a sort of coating for a bit, not a viscous coating like a RIS, but almost something powdery or nearing hop abrasion. But it's more like it numbs your tongue slightly to produce the sensation. Haven't experienced that before.

O - 3.75 - This is a fine saison and pleasant to drink. But for something ostensibly built around guava, it seems to miss the mark. It's just a nice saison. The numby/powdery mouthfeel is unusual and not exactly welcome.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 20:43:54 | More by BrownNut

Danny1217

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy orange. Nice thick head. Very nice appearance. Smells of Belgian yeast at the front. Some tropical fruits. Belgian yeast in the forefront of the taste well. Guava is present, but rather subdued for what I expected. You wouldn't even taste it if you weren't told what it is. A nice tartness. Rich mouthfeel. Feels thick and somewhat syrupy, but not in a bad way at all. I like it.

Wow! One of my favorite Cigar City beers. I wish they would make a more affordable and regularly available saison, because they sure know how to do it.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 03:34:24 | More by Danny1217

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle broke open during my cellar cleaning tasting a couple days ago (reviewed from extensive notes written down while drinking). Split 4 ways, poured into Lawson's tulip. Thanks to dolfan54fl for sending me this one, been holding on to it for a little while.

A- Pours a golden brown with about 2-fingers of fluffy head that leaves nice layered lacing, lots of carbonation.

S- Guavas, cantaloupe, and other melons, mildly sweet with some light tartness. About average to slightly above average aroma strength.

T- Again lightly sweet guavas and other melons. Finishes with a light guava/melon tartness that lingers for a little while. Definitely a nice pleasant taste, but not something that I crave more of right away.

M- Fairly light, tingles the tongue a little bit, definitely a decent amount of carbonation, easily drinkable especially at 8%.

O- Cigar City makes some great saisons and this one definitely isn't any different. Nice lightly sweet melon taste balanced with a lightly tart finish. Nothing stood out about this beer for me, but it was definitely an enjoyable beer that was tasty and definitely drinkable. I probably wouldn't seek this one out again, however if I was in Florida I would probably get it. If you like saisons and guava/melons I would recommend trying this one out.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 20:11:26 | More by jaasen64

MadScientist

New York

4.73/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This beer just glows with an orange tinted, deep good with a slight haze and obvious effervescent. The cream off-white head just lasts and last; having about two finger from a slightly aggressive pour and leaving lacing on the glass.

S: A heady mix of sour, acidic tart notes and a mild melon type fruitiness and some orange and the guava making themself know as it warms. The soft pils malt is there at moderate a level and like most good saison but with a lighter peppery spiciness than average. I can't get much past the sour, slightly brett funk but I don't care, leave me here I'll be fine. Sort of a fruity, spicy Berliner Weisse.

T: Wow, that a sharp fruity attack at the first sip and I'm loving it. The fruit is again melony and orange with a high tart sourness backed by some tropic fruit. Not much hops flavor to speak of but a decent bitterness with the balance being sour. There is a touch of pils malt sweetness but over all dry from start to finish with a linger bitter and sour flavor. There is a bit of pepper in there reflecting the style but who cares this is sour, tart heaven.

M: Light bodied with a high carbonation. There is a light dryness almost CO2 astringency prickle.

O: An outstanding very sour beer with enough fruitiness and spiciness to call it a saison base. This is a must have beer for fans of sours I just wish it wasn't so hard to find in Upstate NY.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 00:49:20 | More by MadScientist

cfrances33

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle served on 7/26/12 in a tulip.

Pour: A hazy deep orange with two and a half fingers of off white fluffy and sticky head. Really a beautiful looking beer. I'm excited.

Smell: Spicy yeast breadyness, with some funk, and tropical fruits. Little bit of lemon.

Taste: Wow holy fruit bomb. Lots of tropical fruits (passion fruit, kiwi) and some lemon. Little bit of barnyard funk. At bit much with the fruitiness.

Mouthfeel: A little heavier than I was expecting, perhaps due to the juiciness of this beer. It's far too sweet and fruity for me.

Overall: Good, but I wouldn't get it again - just too sweet and fruity.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 00:07:32 | More by cfrances33

sitarist

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours orange in color, some haze with a steady stream of bubbles rising up to a thick white head. The head falls slowly leaving a thick cap that leaves spots of lacing.

It smells slightly funky, with hints of dried fruits. There is a faint hint of "barnyard funk", but mostly I smell dried tropical fruits like papaya, mango, pineapple, with hints of banana, lemongrass, and spice.

The flavor is right on par with its aroma. There is a slight off flavor, like over-ripened fruit.

It has a medium body, with medium viscosity. It is dry, but coats the tongue. The carbonation bites gently.

I opened this expecting the worst, but I must say it was a wonderful surprise. Not something that I would drink daily, but I have to have it again. If I were to have had this blind, I wouldn't have guessed it a fruit, or a wild ale; the wild yeast, and guava seem to cancel one other out.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 00:30:40 | More by sitarist

dogfishandi

New York

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

thanks to merc7186 for grabbing a bottle of this for me.

750ml capped bottle at fridge temp poured into a snifter.

off the pour, enormous head, lots of carbonation. fluffy white head, tons of big bubbles rushing to the top. the big head lasts the whole glass, great retention. some nice lacing as well. cloudy/ murky burnt orange, deep golden color.

big horsey, barnyard funk is most dominant in the nose, definitely some brett at play. a little bit of lemon grass and sour pie cherries. its hard to get much else with all that funk dominating.

again the barnyard, horsey funk brett flavors are big. also some sour cherries, lemongrass and a bit of tropical fruits and wet wood. im not really tasting any distinct guava in this, seems to be lost by all the funk. finishes pretty tart with some lingering sourness.

definitely overcarbinated, especially at first. also, this has kind of an odd creamy, syrupy feel at times, ive noticed this in other belgians that use the french saison strain.

im not sure if the brett was intentional or not, but it makes for a pretty decent saison despite the fact that any hint of guava is pretty much non exsistant. however, this could be an older bottle. im probably not going to seek this out again, but id be interested in trying its counterparts.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 18:51:49 | More by dogfishandi

beer2day

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Orange gold in color with a minimal, sparse head. No retention and not a speck of lace.

Yeast, bread, brets, mango (or I guess guava), dried fruit all exist in the nose. Interesting, but not terribly inspiring.

Mild hit up front without a whole lot going on. Flavor comes rushing in during the finish. Lots of fruit, with mango and grape. Lightly spiced. Gets tart right in the end.

Oily feel with a bit of heaviness. Thicker and more syrup as the glass warms.

Glad I tried it and might get it again, but not a huge fan.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 00:59:36 | More by beer2day

sukwonee

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I got this one through a trade. Thank you Heatwave33 for another great trade.

A: Beautiful looking beer. two finger head, good amount of very short lived lacing, orange cloudy body.

S: Some spice, yeast, guava, lemon zest maybe?

T: I really live the first half of the taste. Like the name suggests, guava dominates, followed by some muskiness, a bit of funk, hay, banana and clove, then finishes surprisingly bitter (for IBU 18 beer).

M: It's great. Sharp carbonation, light to medium body, dry finish.

O: Great saison and I love the guava twist to this.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 06:43:21 | More by sukwonee

mactrail

California

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Handsome amber with a beautiful sudsy cap in the tall Petrus tulip. The creamy and long lasting carbonation is a big plus. Yeasty aroma with biscuits.

The guava taste is subtle but distinctive, if you're clued in to expect it. Rich but bittered nicely with a long scratchy Belgian flavor. Buttered fruitcake with a raspberry nose. Spicy hints with a woody mouthfeel. Light and bright with all the suds, but dark fruit and bitter notes to finish. Tastes like it has a touch of crazy yeast, but no real bacterial hint. Slightly sweet and malty, but the tangy tartness provides the right balance.

A wild yet refined brew. So many great Saisons in this world, what a great style! From the big bottle purchased at Food and Friends in Philadelphia.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 01:50:04 | More by mactrail

kylehay2004

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Three finger slightly off white foam head on a crimson murky body. Great retention.

S: full yeast aroma with fruitiness, herbs, clove and phenols. Not overly sweet, a little dull.

T: very yeasty and musty with the guava well represented. Very herbal. Fruitiness is a little blunted.

M: medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Dry finish.

Overall: A very nice beer to try. The guava is stronger than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 23:20:26 | More by kylehay2004

Mora2000

Texas

4.23/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to djrn for sending this bottle my way.

The beer pours an orange-amber color with a large white head. The aroma is classic saison, with some strong biscuit malt notes. There is also quite a bit of tartness, lemon and light funk. The flavor is similar. The biscuit and toffee malt go very well with the wheat and a little bit of tartness. The light acidic notes work very well and add to the beer's drinkability. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Glad I got to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 15:08:09 | More by Mora2000

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

a hazy light colored orange with lots of fluffy white head. smells like a traditional cider.. lots of fruits - plum, grape, cherry, banana. taste is a bit like cider as well, slightly bitter, a bit sour, a bit tart. tastes of grapes, figs, plum, cherries. a champagne like pour, very fizzy, light bodied.

overall, this tastes nothing like a saison.. more like a cider. never had a wild ale, so this is my first "sour"... it's not bad, but i don't really get the hype. it's tasty for what it is, but i was honestly expecting more of a saison.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 23:40:10 | More by facundoCNB

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle poured into Weyerbacher Cuvee.

A - Pours a slightly hazy copper orange with a two finger white head. There is an impressive display of carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. These bubbles replace the dying head from underneath, creating a perfect equilibrium of one finger head that sticks around for the duration. Great lacing as well.

S - Smells like a fruit salad. Banana, green apple, pomegranate, lemon. I'm not entirely sure I've ever had a guava (or smelled one, for that matter) so I can't pick that out from the aroma. I also get some chardonnay-like characters. All of these aromas overpower the saison yeast.

T - Very fruity, like the nose. Sweet grapes, sour apple, and a banana finish. The flavor is very sweet, as well as tart. A little bit rich for the style, but the 8% ABV is hidden well.

M - A little bit chewy for the style, probably a result of the syrupy sweetness. Carbonation is lively.

O - My first Cigar City brew. I had big expectations from the smell, but the flavors were a little bit sweet and it came off rich for my liking. It probably rates higher as a beer than it does against others in the style, in my eyes. I probably won't be getting this again, but if you like sweeter saisons (rather than dry or funky) give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 02:47:34 | More by NoLeafClover44

zac16125

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bottle poured into a tulip
No born on date or other distinguishing numbers

A: Pours a slightly hazy amber orange with a huge 4+ fingers width of bubbly white head, that has good rentention but leaves effectively zero lacing.

S: Apple and sour Apple, pear, some earthy grass and hay, some spicey notes of black pepper and a hint of clove.

T:  Similar to the nose except the tartness isn't as prevelant in the taste.  There are some nice mildly sweet fruits, again pear and apple.  A hint of funk, some spice , hints of banana.  Not really as much of the barnyard funk that's present in a lot of saisons, not as tart as some either.  The sweetness becomes more prominent as it warms, with a flavor that's unfamiliar to me that I'm assuming is Guava although I have never had Guava or Guava nectar so its hard to tell.  Pretty flavorful and tasty.  

M/D: Highly carbobated, medium bodied, does a nice job of masking the ABV. Mouthfeel is rather unremarkable, but the drinkability is high, particularly for a style that can occasionally be cumbersome to drink full bombers of.

O: Overall, this is a good Saison.  I've certainly had better, and I've certainly had worse. I prefer Saisons that have a bigger tart/sour presence.  But I still enjoyed this one and its worth trying if you are a fan of the style, or if you are looking for a drinkable introduction to the style, as the portfolio is there but its not overwhelming.  

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 02:27:39 | More by zac16125

nmbr0ne

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into Russian River chalice from 750 mL bottle dated 5/9/2011.

Appearance: Golden, big off-white head. Lacing around rum of beer and top. Soapy looking lacing on sides of glass.

Smell: Slight yeasty smell. Slightly funky. Subtle hints of banana and pear in the end of the smell as well. Not really that much guava.

Taste: Sweet at the beginning but finishes with a slight bitterness that lingers a bit. As it warms up, it opens up more flavors of bananas and finally the guava is more present as well.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, light, refreshing. No detection of alcohol at all really.

Overall: Great saison. Wish it smelled more like guava. Satisfied with the guava flavor once the beer warmed up a bit.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 17:58:05 | More by nmbr0ne

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I initially reviewed an infected bottle I got last year. This year, I was able to get a non-infected bottle, and the results were much different.

Poured into a CCB snifter

A- pours a cloudy shade of orange with a one finger white head

S- nice aroma of guava, very strong and sweet

T- an explosion of guava in my mouth...slightly tart, slightly sweet. Very good

M- light bodied, very nice

O- this is worlds better when it's not infected (obviously). If you can keep finding the new batch, jump all over it.
---
INFECTED REVIEW. Initially a 2.18
Poured from a bottle into a Duvel tulip. I think this is the first batch...no clue as Cigar City doesn't date.

A- pours a very murky looking shade of brown with a two finger, very puffy white head...I had to pour this four times to get a full glass, as it was very carbonated. The beer underneath the head looks completely hideous though, almost like pond water

S- the guava smell is very intense, and smells like a real winner. Absolutely delicious

T- it tastes infected. The tart guava has almost a burning sensation as I swallow....kind of ashy, too. Ugh

M- pretty thin.

O- I can't drink more than just a few sips. The astringency is just too much. Not the kind of tart I love in a beer. Very disappointing

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 00:00:19 | More by bigfnjoe

HopHead84

California

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

3/24/2012

Bottle shared by Tim at Kill the Cellar Day, thanks!

A: Pale yellow gold with a monstrous head. Good retention.

S: Peppery and grassy with light guava notes. Floral notes are pronounced.

T: Strong phenols impart pepper and a little band-aid. Malt is light and grainy. Mellow spicy notes blend with floral characteristics.

M: Light in body with high carbonation.

Overall: A solid Saison with a subtle guava flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 21:38:03 | More by HopHead84

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Very cloudy body like a rich wheat. Some caramel tones and a small white head.

S - Vinegar like acidity, tart and tangy. Almost like sour candy, but not as sweet. The sweetness is more like a mild nose of guava nectar, which I've had on many occasions. Aromas of the alcohol swirl with the tart, sweet character.

T - Definitely tart off the bat, but with a sweetness to it. Sour apple candy thoughts but not apple, guava. The tartness tingles the tongue like the sour powder in the candy combo Fun Dip, an almost effervescence to it. A very lively taste, with hints of wild yeast, bitter fruit rind, sweet nectar, young fruit and a backdrop of dry grains. The prescence of the alcohol is subtle and appropriate.

M - Tart and tangy, hardly puckering, with a very fizzy feel. Slightly viscous but refreshing overall. A tingly, semi dry finish.

O - Interesting beer, on paper it sounds super funky. In a glass its entertaining, and a different interpretation of a classic style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 23:09:54 | More by BeerForMuscle

Adrianized

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a murky rusty orange with a nice big head. 4

The aroma is classic saison with a sweet finish. Peaches (or is it guava?), black pepper, and funk. 4.5

Immediately tart and slightly sour. Follows through with Belgian yeast, tropical fruit... Peaches and guava. Finishes with a throat prickling peppery spice. I'm not sure why other aren't getting the spice... I'm getting it more than in the classic saisons. Finishes dry, peppery, funky, and slightly tart. 4

Highly carbonated, champagne-like. Very nice. 4.5

Overall I really enjoyed this. It's more tart/sour than it should be for the style... But I happen to enjoy that. Will buy again. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 04:49:34 | More by Adrianized

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed on oct´11. Tulip glass.Orangish amber color,copper to the light.Off-white small bubbled head.Creamy froth,good retention.Nice lacing rings & "snow" flakes left on sides.Fresh tropical fruit,wet grass,guava note aromas.High sweet upfront followed by an spicy banana & melon flavor.Orange candy in the middle,hints of lemon.Full body,medium carbonation.Rough sweet bitter finish.Earthy mango aftertaste.ABV well hidden.Should be recognize the difficulty when using this flavorful fruit (guava) but,unfortunately,the overall results quite cloying.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 15:32:44 | More by GONZALOYANNA

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.33/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle poured into an Allagash chalice. Bottle dated 5/9/2011.

Appearance - Pours a deep golden color with a huge fuffy white head that never dissipates. Nice lacing. Wonderful retention.

Smell - Takes a while for the aroma to open up. As it warms, it has a bright fruit flavor of bananas, pears, and some citrus. I wouldn't be able to pick out guava if it weren't in the name. A hint of funk in the back, but it's very faint. Maybe some cloves as well.

Taste - Initial malt sweetness and some fruit flavors. Similar to the smell, but without any of the funk. Slight touch of bitterness in the finish. A touch of tang to it as well, but nothing I'd call tart or sour.

Mouthfeel - Thick and a touch syrupy. Heavy for a saison and an 8% one at that. Good carbonation, I suppose.

Overall - It tastes good. No off flavors. Nothing I'm amazed by, though. Just a decent saison. I prefer them lighter and more complex than this.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 00:37:38 | More by Alieniloquium

EricCioe

Montana

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Adam H. This was the precursor to a blind scotch ale tasting.

This pours a hazy yellow with a nice, tight, frothy head that sticks around forever. On the nose there are bananas, clove, and some atypical saison elements of citric fruit that smell great. In the mouth those citrus elements step out in front of the more traditional saison elements, but not enough to question the style. The body is medium or medium thin, with a nice finish of fruit and a bit of clove.

Overall, this is a fine saison. I would be happy to have this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 01:54:25 | More by EricCioe

spdyfire83

Ireland

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

185th Review
Bottle to snifter

From notes. Shared with some excellent dudes one summer night in CO.

A: Cloudy, murky orangish yellow. Bold 4+ (white) fingernail head on medium pour.

S: Cracked wheat, citrus, lemon, black pepper, and hint of funkiness. Searching for the name-sake (i.e. guava), but nothing. Weird.

T: Hint of guava (finally), but loads of other fruit here as well - banana, orange, kiwi, mango, and pineapple. Subtle spice with mix of tart and sweet. Sourness is nice, but a bit lop-sided.

M: Light bodied and well carbonated.

O: A fun beer to try, but I was not the biggest fan of this one. Above avergae? Yes. Great? No. Good twist for the style, but I've enjoyed others more.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 13:35:09 | More by spdyfire83