Cucumber Saison - Cigar City Brewing

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.08/5  rDev -45.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Churchkey. Served in a mini snifter. Pours a clear light golden color with maybe a touch of cucumber. That’s unfortunately there’s the only place with just a touch of cucumber. The nose smells like cucumber juice. It tastes like cucumber water. Light body; no real beer character. It says saison, but I don’t get any sort of pilsner or bready malt, nor is there anything indicating saison yeast. Just cucumber. It doesn’t taste bad, but it’s not beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 19:12:19 | More by Thorpe429

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On draft back in July. Served in a snifter. The brew appears a pale yellow cokor hazed with a white head. The cap fades leaving some spotty lace on the glass. A couple swirls release a few bubbles back to the surface.

The smell is mildly fruity with wheat and typical saison spice. The fruited quality gets zesty and light across the nose that transcends into an unmistakeable scent of cucumber. Once the cucumber wrangles your nose, its hard to shake it and it almost dominates all other aspects of the aromatics.

Taking a sip, the initial flavor of cucumber is readily evident. It gets mildlybfruity and herbal with hops and some spice like clove. Some herbal bitterness and wheat grain flavors persist into the aftertaste and increase in perception as the brew warms up. There is nothing bad going on in the flavor, it just seems strange and a but clashing.

This is a medium to light bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. The alcohol is very well integrated here and the cucumber is surprisingly bold. I think this was an interesting idea and they executed it fairly well. Its worth a try but in the end it just didnt work for me to warrent wanting to have it again. To give you an idea of how bold the cucumber scent is, my wife had no idea what was going on and stated outloud while I was drinking this that she smelled cucumber salad.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2012 19:14:17 | More by stakem

merc7186

New York

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer served on tap at Pegs Cantina in Gulfport FL, into a snifter glass.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Cucumbers, Pickles, Mild Black Pepper

T: Bread and Butter Pickles, Cucumber, Mild White Pepper

M: Decent Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Pickley

Overall, it definitely tasted like liquid Bread and Butter Pickles, great to try but not to chase.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2012 00:27:25 | More by merc7186

drabmuh

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Do you like cucumbers? Do you like water? Then this is the beer for you...do you like saisons? Skip this beer, this is not a saison in any sense of the world. On draft at Churchkey served in a snifter. Beer is yellow and clear with a white head of medium and large bubbles, low retention, moderate carbonation, looks fine.

Aroma is cucumbers, about what I expected and it smells good.

Beer is thin like water and wet like water and tastes like cucumbers. Is this beer? Next.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2012 00:58:45 | More by drabmuh

corby112

Pennsylvania

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

Draft at Cigar City during Hunahpu Day 2012.

Pours a hazy golden yellow color with a two finger frothy white head that quickly settles into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lace left behind.

I was expecting this beer to look and smell like a ridiculous vegetable novelty but it has mostly saison characteristics with subtle cucumber melon notes. Aroma has some earthy farmhouse yeast along with subtle spice and bread followed by a strong but not overpowering cucumber salad presence.

Medium bodied with some zesty pepper and coriander spice up front that lingers over the funky farmhouse and bready yeast notes before finishing with a refreshing cucumber melon flavor in the finish. The cucumber is more prominent than the nose suggests but ts not over the top or unpleasant at all. Really light and refreshing, making this beer extremely drinkable. I was skeptical going in but this beer was a surprise sleeper for me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2012 02:09:23 | More by corby112

oline73

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is one of the beers I was most excited to try and the EBF. I went to have this in order to cool down after trying Punishment, so I had to have a few to get to actually taste the beer.

Appearance: Pours a clear golden color with a layer of off white head that leaves a ring around the edge of the cup.

Smell: Very herbal and a bit sweet. Definitely picking up the cucumbers. There is almost a hint of uncooked squash.

Taste: Better than the smell. Very smooth, cool and herbal from the yeast. There is a nice sweetness from the malt in the finish. I'm loving the blend of herbal flavors and cucumber.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is genius. Really enjoyed the mix of flavors. I would have more given the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 22:14:16 | More by oline73

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

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was really something, I felt like I needed to try this one at the EBF just because of the Cucumber. The beer poured out as a clear looking yellow color with a thin white head on top of the beer. The smell of this is straight Cucumber, I really don't get much else on the nose here. The taste is Cucumber also, I like that it really stands out and isn't masked in any way. The beer is surprisingly refreshing in my opinion. The mouthfeel is clean and carbonated with a light finish. Overall this was just something that really sparked my interest and I was very glad I tried it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 07:29:14 | More by Knapp85

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

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

RomaniIteDomum

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours golden yellow with a ring of head. Smells like sushi, actually. Cucumber and that sweet cold rice aroma. The taste is fairly similar to the nose. Sweet, light and refreshing. Light feel bordering on watery. Overall, pretty good. I'd have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2011 15:24:02 | More by RomaniIteDomum

Brittmb29

Florida

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Lucky to taste this! only 10 gallons were produced and some made it to The Funky Buddha in Boca Raton for a CCB tap takeover. This is reviewed from notes:

A- golden yellow with no head retention or lacing, poured into a shaker pint

S- pure cucumber, saison yeasts , and a faint pickly brine background.

T- medium malty with yeast that supports the incredible fresh cucumber flavor. Hop bitterness translates to sour rather than bitter to mimic a cucumber salad taste.

M- good carbonation to give some softness to the thin body.

O- great for a one time release for fruit in the room! however i couldn't have had another one and almost had problems drinking down the entire pint, the taste becomes VERY cucumber salady after the first few sips. But, to try out such a unique flavor it was a great single beer.

[as of 6/17/12 i have had the newer batch on draft and in bottle fresh. this version was very refreshing light and much more cucumber in flavor without any accompanying brine. May re review when i open a bottle because it was substantially more enjoyable for my palate]

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2011 16:21:06 | More by Brittmb29

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.69/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Exotic and grassroots ingredients are exploding in our era of "mixology". This is evident and even succeeding in the martini world and likely throughout the breadth of mixed drinks. Cucumber is thus being celebrated because of its lively and refreshing character. The 4th of July celebrations with reunions and picnics have seen this for years. But does it translate as well with beer? Cigar City thinks so---

Like many (un-cucumber-ed) and more traditional Belgian-style farmhouse ales, the beer explodes upon impact with the bottom of the glass. Even a prerequisite rinse did nothing to control the eruptive froth. The billowing head is airy with large bubbles and gives the impression of dryness. What settles underneath is the classic straw-hued beer with mild haze. As you would think, the beer laces intricately and randomly with very decorative patterns.

Surprisingly strong aromas of cucumber strike the olfactories with an oddly compelling scent. It evokes a sense of refreshment, but also hinges on notes of pickle juice, sweet relish, mustard seed, and soft near-fennel notes. After the shock of initial scents, the common spicy tone of yeast character shows up- propped up by dry bread and cracker-like maltiness.

In reverse fashion, its the light sweetness of pilsner malt, showing up in the form of dry bread, crackers, and whole wheat. The usual hop spice is earthy, mildly woody, and honey-like floral. But for the bulk of the session those tastes are lost on the distraction of cucumber. It's that garden variety gourde that diverts the attention toward tart pickles, light sweetness, cider notes, and pungent earthiness that decries ballpark pickle relish. It's very first sip signals the seventh inning stretch even though I'm drinking in February.

Trying hard to ignore the taste, its texture is actually pretty spot on for the style. Dry malts won't allow much sweetness to linger very long- allowing the early effervescence and short-lived creaminess to transcend quickly to a dry peppery bite with medium acidity and alcohol warmth to close the session. (Boy, it's hard to ignore that "pickle" taste when assessing mouthfeel.)

But in the end, I rather enjoyed the beer. I wanted the clean, crisp, and refreshing taste of cucumber to show up in its most vibrant and perfumy scent. But what I got was pickle relish. Though I like it on those ballpark hot dogs, its presence in my beer glass is slightly misplaced even though the base saison has much to celebrate.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 07:46:43 | More by BEERchitect

jegross2

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Reviewing the Cucumber Saison from Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa, Florida.

Score: 86

2012 vintage bottle served in a plastic wine goblet and enjoyed on 07/29/12. Review is from iPhone notes I jotted down at my birthday bottle share.

Appearance: Pours three fingers of white, soapy head atop a cloudy, dull golden-wheat colored body. Good lacing and retention. Looks a lot like you’d expect a saison to look. 4/5

Smell: Totally cucumber forward. Cucumber water, light wheat and yeast. 3.75/5

Taste: Cucumber waiter with a light funk and straw/grain flavor. Simple and straightforward. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light-plus bodied, medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel, somewhat dry on the finish. 3.5/5

Overall: Light, summery and refreshing. It should be pointed out that I am not a fan of saisons. However, this one was pretty solid and “inoffensive” (and I mean that in a good way). No horse blanket, barnyard, etc. This beer essentially smells and tastes like lightly fermented cucumber water. This is not one I would go out of my way to seek out, but it is certainly a beer that made a good palate cleanser at the tasting. While no one loved the beer, no one disliked it either.

Pairings: A very basic salad.

Cost: $10 for a 750 ml bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 06:21:55 | More by jegross2

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

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

Florida9

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Bottle opens with an audible pop. Beer itself is mostly clear light amber in color. Unsurprisingly, this one forms a large, very carbonated, white head. Good retention, moderate lacing.

S: aroma is primarily Saison-like. I mention this because I was expecting the cucumber to dominate. It's there, but I certain,y get a lot more of the yeasty phenols and spice with a "green" cucumber aroma more in the background.

T: Taste is similar. Lightly sweet blend of lemon-lime and cucumber. The some yeast, a slight tartness, and a bit of spice. Finish is a touch astringent with a cucumber skin bitterness. Again, the cucumber is noticeable. Unmistakable even, but it doesn't (thankfully) overpower the beer itself.

M: on the lighter side of medium. Very aggressive carbonation. Light sweetness. Fairly crisp. Mild astringency.

O: I found this to be a fairly nice beer. I was rather curious about it when I learned of it and sought on out, especially for my wife whom likes both Samson's and cucumbers, but ended up hating this beer. I on the other hand, enjoyed the combination of the cucumber along with the lemon tartness and yeasty spice giving this one a "salad in a glass" feel to it while still retaining its beeriness.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 03:20:04 | More by Florida9

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

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a lovely thick apricot color with a large bubbly head. Head does fade fairly quick though.

Damn, smells like salted cucumbers. Some faint spice and yeast and somehing vaguely metallic here too but the nose is dominated by cucumber to a frightening extent. Preparing for the worst...

Taste is way better than I expected. Some yeasty saison flavor, mild spice, good amount of cucumber but not nearly as much as in the nose. Some fruitiness in the finish. This is actually a subtle and fairly balanced beer.

Very drinkable, good mouthfeel. Very refreshing beer.

This is a kindof odd beer but I really like it. Very refreshing.

7.0/10

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 00:29:32 | More by AlexFields

kylehay2004

Florida

4.04/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Large foamy head with nice lacing on a cloudy orange and gold body. Cucumber dominates the aroma but it doesn't overwhelm with tropical fruit and bealgian yeast undertones. The cucumber flavor isn't too strong but also dominates but has a musty Belgian yeast, breads, cream and hint of tropical fruit. Medium creamy body and moderate carbonation. Much better tha I was expecting. Wouldn't necessarily have again but a must try at least once.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 02:02:02 | More by kylehay2004

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

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

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

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

Thanks to Momar42 for the bottle sharing! Part of a 750mL bottle poured into a Hunahpu's snifter. Notes from last night's Skins/Cowboys game.

A: Pours a cloudy golden color. The head is a one finger white shade with great texturing.

S: A lot of cucumber on the nose - like whoa. Best part is how it combines with a touch of acetic, vinegary tartness to create a vibe of pickles. Pickles in beer - and I'm enjoying it.

T: The flavor profile loses the faint hint of tartness in the nose, so there are less 'pickle' qualities and more 'cucumber' ones. Rather simple, unfortunately - the only other significant note I can detect are some midpalate tropical fruits and a vague hint of bready malts. Having said that, the singular flavors this provides are balanced and melded superbly.

M: At first sip, it seems heavy, thick, and almost yeasty...and then it leaves the palate in a rapid fashion. The finish is pure crisp, dry, light goodness. Well carbonated and so damn refreshing.

O: Shockingly good! This could make me enjoy cucumber a lot more...well played, Cigar City. This would be fantastic in the summer time.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 17:57:41 | More by ThisWangsChung

ehammond1

California

3.6/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for opening this with me, VaTechHopHead!

Clear golden with a small near-white cap. Leaves the glass dotted with moderately-sized bubbles. Very little retnention. Appropriate enough.

Distinct aroma of cucumber and little else. There's perhaps an earthy quality to the aroma that actual cucumbers don't have, but the dominant aroma overall is very clearly cucumber.

The flavor, too, is, not surprisingly, very cucumber forward, along with a bit of earth and some bitterness. Very simple and straightforward, while obviously very unique as well. Very drinkable. I enjoy it, but it's simply not a very complex saison.

Thin bodied with moderate-high carbonation.

A wonderful cucumber drink, but an uninteresting saison.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 00:18:14 | More by ehammond1

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber in to a couple of pints to share

A - pours a straw copper look; exceptionally heady...some soap foam qualities

S - it smells like a traditional saison, although the cucumber essence really brings out a pickled aroma

T - well, this is pretty much a perfect cucumber saison...all the flavor you'd expect from this combination: cucumber, a lil salty, organic/earthy; and again, that element of pickle juice; some real light melon flavors

M - it's really heady/carbonated; the gherkin flavor lingers

O - this is a really unique, albeit totally 'accurate' saison infused with cucumbers; I'm not a huge fan of farmhouse ales or cucumbers for that matter, but if you like either, it's def worth a try

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 19:49:58 | More by SkeeterBoganski