Cucumber Saison - Cigar City Brewing

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a hazy orange - yellow pour with lots of soapy looking white head.
smells of fresh herbs, that pickle quirky smell comes through nicely, grassy hops, citrus notes.
oh my god - the pickle is so subtle at first but then it's all you taste! a nice hoppy bitterness.. lemon zest.. this tastes like a summer salad. seriously sooo tasty!
light body, high in carbonation, slight creaminess on lips. highly refreshing.

overall? best fucking summer beer ever. deliciously refreshing. really want to have more of this stuff on hand, it is too damn good. hopefully they make this a yearly seasonal and not just a one off.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 21:44:22 | More by facundoCNB

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.58/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a golden yellow with little white cap, some bubbles and light lacing

S:Subtle and refreshing cucumber on the nose with a little bit of spice and hay

T: Very refreshing upfront. A very nice, subtle cucumber throughout with light hints of hay, some lemon and yeast. Finish is nice, crisp and clean with a light grassy and lighter floral hop note. Perfect for thr hot summer day.

M: Light bodied, well carbonated very tasty and easy on the palate with light cucumber notes persisting

O: Absolutely fantastic with the only flaw I saw being the appearance

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 17:30:02 | More by barleywinefiend

jsanford

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at BA Hunahpu's release. Poured into a CCB Pint Glass.

Poured a glowing gold with a thin white head that settles to a slight haze. Huge aromas of cucumber and Saison yeast, with a slight pickle brine character. Taste follows the nose nicely, just slightly briny, yet so crisp and drinkable. Just a perfect melding between a cucumber and a Saison, if you can imagine such a thin. Mouthfeel is light and crisp, with a medium body and good, sharp carbonation. Tied with Final Push for my favorite beer of the day, this was an amazing offering!

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 02:47:13 | More by jsanford

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received this bottle in a trade, poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a nice slightly hazy golden orange hue with a big, thick almost 3 finger white head that fades to leave a nice dense blanket and light side lacing.

S - Yep, thats cucumbers. Fresh cucumbers picked from the garden explode on the nose. Very, very light saison yeast on the end, but this is mostly just like smelling cucumber juice.

T - Taste starts with that bright, delicious cucumber and then moves to some slight malt and saison yeast with super light funk. The end is almost slightly metallic, or that could just be me. There is a lingering cucumber (mind you cucumber not pickle) flavour throughout the sip.

M - Mouthfeel is nice and super refreshing, perfect for a hot summer day. Could use a hair more carbonation but otherwise this is great. So crisp and clean.

O - Overall, while this is a gimmicky beer it is a damn delicious one. Well worth the 4 pack of HT it took to get to try this. Delicious unique brew that is a shock to the pallet.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 22:56:56 | More by rudzud

scottyshades

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottles from Tryst in Delray Beach, FL, Coffee District in Delray Beach, and Milam's in Coral Gables

A: Pours a hazy orange color with a small tight head. Retention is decent.

S: Less cucumber than I expected, which turns out to be the optimal amount. Freshly sliced cucumber, light earthy yeast, and spices are kept to a minimum. Well balanced and certainly inviting

T: Again, less cucumber than I anticipated, especially in the flavor. This beer is actually a classic saison (think Saison Dupont) with a refreshing touch of cucumber.

MF: Smooth velvety feel to it, decent carbonation, and a slightly spicy/cucumber finish. Full in body and flavor for a 5% Saison

O: I am not really a huge cucumber fan, but this one is awesome. On top of that, this beer is actually made to the style. Seek out.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 18:36:19 | More by scottyshades

biggsbowler

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Funky Buddha. Saisons are one of my least favorite style, but I will try everyone in hopes of finding a great one. This beer is one of them. This beer is well balanced with the right amount of cucumber in the nose and taste. It doesn’t over power the beer but enhances the flavor. If it wasn’t for the fact, FB had a CCB tap takeover with Virgin Oak Hunahpu on tap, I would have drank this beer til the tap blew. From start to end, this is a great saison.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 13:42:10 | More by biggsbowler

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a hazy golden-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal place leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of grainy malts, citrus, tropical, and lemon hops, cucumber, Belgian yeast, and coriander.

T - Starts off with a mix of lemon and grapefruit hops with some bitterness and some grainy malts and coriander. Through the middle the cucumber comes through with some honey and Belgian yeast. The finish is a mix of lemon and citrus hops with some bitterness, honey, cucumber, grains, and Belgian yeast.

M - Medium bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Feels smooth with a vegetative, dry, and yeasty finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really nicely balanced with the cucumber adding a really nice element to the beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 04:49:39 | More by ngeunit1

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

huge thanks to duf27 for bringing this beer back from florida and sharing with the tasting group! hanks duff!

poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: cloudy yellow bodied beer with over 3 fingers of massive frothy head. Lacing sticks everywhere.

Smell: Big cucumber notes. A touch of hop that are overwhelmed by more cucumber. Smells really cool and refreshing.

Taste: No surprise here it tastes like cucumbers; picked right from the garden! There is a nice wheat and straw note from the malt that adds a touch of sweetness as well.

Mouthfeel: light bodied beer with high carbonation. This beer is so light, crisp, clean, and drinkable! It s has got to be the most refreshing beer that I have ever drank thanks to the cucumber flavors.

Overall: CCB made an awesome cucumber beer! Probably the most memorable beer that I have drank from them. The humble cucumber really makes a crazy awesome saison! Probably the best saison that I have ever drank! Perfect for a hot day. I could drink a whole 750 myself. I not much of a cuccumber fan, but when you put it in beer magic happens!!!

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 17:54:23 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I dig this beer.

I mean, I like cucumbers as much as the next guy, but this beer elevates the cucumber to something magnificent. It pours out nice and foamy, and smells like...a saison. Then it crosses the lips, and I'm drinking a cucumber. It is simply delicious and refreshing.

Now, I don't like to compare other beers in my reviews, but in this case, I feel like I should CONTRAST this beer with Epic's Utah Sage Saison. Epic's beer smells like sage, but tastes like saison. This beer smells like saison, but tastes like cucumbers. It's a remarkable feat.

I would never turn one of these down. It is not just distinctive and unique. It is a flat-out delicious beer, and testament to the creativity of American craft brewing.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 04:34:46 | More by DaveAnderson

BDIMike

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very light golden, almost white color. There is a ton of fizzy carbonation that creates a huge frothy white head. The head continues to grow throughout the drink, a first for me.
Aroma has a nice light, summer smell to it. The dominant smell is very good clean, real cucumber smell, also unlike any beer I have smelled before. A bit of spicy pepper smells too.
Taste is unlike any beer I have ever tried. The cucumber taste is very prevalent, but there is a nice sweet taste of melon as well. A bit of spiciness too adds a bit of funk.
Mouthfeel is very nice. It seems odd to say, but a great balance of crispness and smoothness as well.
Drinkability is awesome on this beer. Completely unlike any beer I have ever had and very unique. A great beer any time, but especially one that would be awesome in the summertime. It has been said this is "a salad in a beer bottle" and I completely agree. If you have the chance to get this beer, don't pass on it.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 00:59:09 | More by BDIMike

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle. Huge thanks to dolfan54fl. Poured into CCB snifter.

First had sample at EBF.

A- Opens with a nice crisp pop. Pours a hazy yellowish golden, just under a head of foamy white head that dissipates fairly fast to a light thin head, fast rising carbonation bubbles. Not too much lacing.

S- Cucumbers, pickles, honey, mixed with some light citrusy hops in the background. Fairly aromatic, complex, and definitely unique.

T- Cucumber, honey, citrus hops definitely a little bit more prevalent in the taste. Can distinguish a little bit of lemon, grapefruit, papaya. A little bit bitter on the finish and leaves a nice light sweet cucumber honey aftertaste.

M- Light, crisp, just the right amount of carbonation that complements the sweetness/bitterness well, goes down easily.

O- This was an interesting beer that I definitely enjoyed having the chance to try. At first I wasn't sure how cucumber fits with beer (I can definitely see why people might not like this that much), but I definitely think this was a perfect summer beer for a hot night (drinking this in 90 degree summer heat). It was light, crisp, refreshing, well-balanced, and flavorful. If you like interesting beers I definitely recommend picking this up and giving it a try. Not your typical saison, but definitely enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 01:20:46 | More by jaasen64

homebrew311

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly cloudy pale yellow. Nose is loaded with cucumber and pickle, wow! The essence of cucumber is amazing, very prominent and works well with mild Saison base. Taste is cucumber forward (feels weird saying this about a beer) and very refreshing. Spicy dill comes through next and a bit of bready yeast at the finish. Mouthfeel is light and highly carbonated. Overall. This is a very cool brew... As cool as a... Nevermind.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 06:33:38 | More by homebrew311

Duff27

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge 3 inch frothy head in a murky orange golden body. Clumpy lacing with above average head retention.

Wow, can actually smell cucumbers. I envision cucumber seeds.

Super fresh cucumber. Well balanced with the hop presence. Wow. Very easy drinking at 5%.

Good carbonation, medium mouthfeel.

Cigar city nailed it here. Exactly what I envisioned when I first heard about this beer. Cucumbers, who would've thought of it in beer, would love to know their methods. If you like cucumber in your beer, yes!!

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 23:12:41 | More by Duff27

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A-wow this comes out with some gusto. Had to wait awhile to let the foam settle before pouring this, then even longer after pouring. Very hazy golden yellow with a really thick foamy white head

S- wow this really smells like a cucumber! Like a fresh cucumber along with somewhat Belgian spices. Strong scent. Smells quite refreshing

T-comes in tasting like....cucumber! It's actually quite refreshing. It's a bit sweet too, along with a slight hint of saison rawness. Has a matching after-taste though somewhat faint. Not much else to mention here though does have some pale Belgian sugars to it.

M-high carbonation with a semi-dry finish

O-it's a solid brew. I've never had anything like this before. Who even comes up with something like this? I could definitely see this being something wonderful to drink on a hot summer afternoon. I suggest you find a bottle of this, unless you have a thing against the vegetable.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 02:20:56 | More by AdamBear

babaracas

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy amber with two finger of dense white foam, big splotches of lace left on the glass. Smell: holy freakin' cucumbers, they aren't playing. Spicy and lemony behind that wall of dimed cucumbers. Taste: cucumber and lemon, mildly tangy, sugary honeyed-biscuit, then more lemon peel and cucumber into a drying finish. Carbonation is perfect with a light-medium body and a pillowy feel. I like cucumber, but after the initial few sips, I wasn't sure I'd get through a bomber... then the Sorachi Ace started kicking in. A great combo. It's quite tasty, and does a fantastic job featuring cucumber. Bottled 6/8/12.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 03:21:36 | More by babaracas

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a brown 750 ml bottle into Cigar City Brewing branded snifters

Pours a hazy straw colored yellow with a fizzy one and a half finger fizzy head. The head recedes fairly quickly to a thin foam cap with minimal lacing. The nose is a fairly delicate aroma of farmhouse yeast, grass, light citrus, spice, and not surprisingly accents of cucumber. Lemongrass, light citrus accents, a bit of peppery spice, farmhouse yeast joined midpalate by refreshing cucumber. Finishes dry with slight cucumber skin-like bitterness. Light bodied, fizzy but subtle carbonation. Very impressive beer. Although enjoyed on an unseasonably warm 80 degree fall day in Chicago, this certainly is an exceptional summer "lawnmower" beer. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 19:40:56 | More by chanokokoro

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.19/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750 ml bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
5% ABV, 04 AUG 2012 on label

Thanks for the brew Paul!

A - The crack from cap unleashed a spray like a can of compressed air. I moved quickly to pour this beer, afraid of possible gushing, though it didn't seem an immediate threat afterwards. A monstrous white head rises above the golden beer, lowering slowly while leaving minimal lace on the glass.

S - Cigar City Cucumber Saison has a nose completely full of freshly sliced cucumber, quietly trailed by Belgian yeast nuances of faint white pepper and clay with notes of dry straw and soft wheat.

T - Cucumber is completely authentic in flavor, not ever broaching that artificial line, and more subdued in flavor than aroma, just like the real thing, allowing more saison notes to emerge. A touch of lemon citrus sneaks in around the dry earthy notes of white pepper and clay while the finish incorporates a sensible level of malt.

M - High carbonation dances on the tongue throughout this crisp and light-bodied beer while a dry and spicy finish trails off. Crisp and clean like a cucumber.

O - I'll be upfront (at the end, how ironic) with the fact I don't like cucumbers. They're best served as pickles, in my opinion, but I went into the review open minded. I won't lie, the aroma scared me into thinking my wife, a cucumber lover, would be drinking the vast majority of this bottle, but Cigar City did a fantastic job with this beer. Like a cucumber, this saison has a heavy nose that's lighter in flavor, letting more saison through. It's incredibly authentic and the comparison of the cucumber's crispness with the saison is a wonderful pairing. I still may not like cucumbers but I can get behind this unique saison and say it's one well-crafted beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 22:17:10 | More by BeerFMAndy

dcloeren

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to my bro, cloeren13, for sharing this with me. Poured poolside and enjoyed thoroughly

Poured a hazy orange with a finger of bright white fizzy head.

The aroma is spot on. An explosion of cucumbers, drizzled in honey. With a little but of lime juice and a touch of salt.

The taste really opened up once it warms up. Lightly salted cucumbers, touch of honey and a little bit of lime juice. Extremely refreshing!

Light in body with an ample amount of carbonation. Very easy drinking and leaves a tasty cucumber aftertaste.

Overall, this beer was delicious. The cucumber aspect was spot on. I thought that it was a little different than most Saisons but in a good way, very original. Worth seeking out for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 18:16:55 | More by dcloeren

Danny1217

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hazy golden color with a sizable white head. Excellent retention and lacing.
The smell is heavy on the cucumber. A little bit of the typical Belgian yeast aromas and a slight funk.
This beer is very light and refreshing. Cucumber is definitely present in the flavor, but not as strongly as in the aroma. Tastes a bit like a saison brewed with cucumber water. There's some funk and light fruits but cucumber is still at the forefront. Very little hops, but their presence adds a bit of bitterness. Once again, very refreshing beer.

A unique and quality offering from CCB.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 20:25:46 | More by Danny1217

DmanGTR

New York

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes.

Mildly hazy, but brilliantly golden in the light. Half inch white cap that diminished to a fine lace of bubbles shortly after the pour. Crisp, refreshing aroma. This is essentially a freshly cut cucumber in my saison! Juicy, light, and the faintest grassiness. Still has a good saison background though. Dry finish, nicely carbonated. Very interesting beer and I'm glad I had the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 15:55:25 | More by DmanGTR

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Oh god. So much cucumber. Delicious! Lemony-vegetal freshly sliced cucumber aroma and flavor with tiny amounts of diacetyl butter that makes me think about those buttered white bread cucumber sandwiches from a British Tea lineup. The beer also does a great job of showcasing the way that melon flavors exist within cucumber. Everything is framed with a wheat-like tartness and plenty of lemon peel, a light and sparkly body makes it drink like a wine spritzer. Very refreshing and unique. I have a hard time believing how well this brew works! But it does!

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 21:43:50 | More by WastingFreetime

BrownNut

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle to nonic

A - Pale gold. Pretty white head, thick and rich and puffy and textured.

S - Super fresh cucumber.

T - Super fresh cucumber with some of that familiar saison spice-ish thing peeking out from underneath to give it just a bit of complexity - not too much but a little. The cucumber even seems to have a bit of a bitter edge from the peel, which adds a nice element.

O - This beer delivered exactly like I hoped and expected. Cucumber! That pretty much sums it up. I love cucumber and I love saisons and this is the perfect marriage. It's so well balanced and well crafted. It's so refreshing. I thought it might be gimmicky and that there was a chance it would be weird and bad, but it's really well done. I'd need for there to be more complexity to score it higher, but as a summertime refresher, it does a great job being very pleasant in its simplicity.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 17:33:11 | More by BrownNut

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cucumber saison is certainly one of the more novel beers I have every had. As one sampler stated, it is like vegetable juice and beer. Poured from the glass, the beer was a golden color with a fizzy white head. Cucumber is the most noticeable element in the aroma. In the initial taste was cucumber, cucumber peal, a little straw and salt. If you have ever been to a restaurant that serves cucumber slices in their glasses of water, this should give you some perspective. The aftertaste is dry, which is the most saison-like element of this beer. The funkiness of a saison seems to have been cancelled out by the cucumber. It was an interesting beer, but probably not one I need to have again.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 12:28:12 | More by JohnnyHopps

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Keg at EBF.

Mostly clear pale pilsner color, pretty much no head.

Nose fresh and light pickled cucumber, light golden malts, hint floral hops, light farmhouse saison underneath.

Taste cucumber, light pepper, light dill pickle, then toasty bready farmhouse saison, hint spices, hint floral hops with touch bitterness, juicy golden malts. Dry finish with more saison flavors, and lingering light slightly pickled cucumber. Not sure if they put dill in it but I get the impression of pickles.

Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall fairly impressed. Wasn't expecting much but it has a good essences of cucumber and pickle, none of the bitter skin either, and a nice refreshing taste. I could drink lots of this too.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 18:04:02 | More by jlindros

Infamous7100

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours an unfiltered, hazy gold with a billowing head. Tremendous appearance. Inviting.
S: cucumber jumps out immediately. I also pick up on some zesty lemon, pepper and some light biscuity notes. Some other citric fruit aromas are present as well. Very complex and unique.
T: at front, the cucumber jumps right out and blends with notes of honey and spice/pepper. The cucumber fades into some lemon/citrus flavors, but the peppery notes remain. Again, very complex and tasty.
M: very creamy with a nice cabonation. This finishes with smooth, pleasing hang. Outstanding.
O: very unique, refreshing and complex brew. Perfect for the hot weather and highly sessionable. Nice job Cigar City.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 21:25:40 | More by Infamous7100