Saison VOS - Sly Fox Brewing Company

drtth

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a 10 oz goblet. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served the beer is a bright clear golden yellow color with a 1/8" white head that quickly recedes to a small ring around the glass. The ring persists for a while leaving small speckles of lacing when sipping. Not much clings to the sides of the glass.

Smell: The aroma has some light malt character that mingles with and supports the spicy yeast. No alcohol is detectable.

Taste: The flavor is much as expected from the nose with some nice light sweetness from the malts that mingles well with the spicy, white pepper flavors created by the yeast.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium to light bodied with light carbonation that persists to the end but isn't very noticeable. The finish is medium length and is where the dry bitterness of the hops show as the sweetness fades first, leaving them behind.

Drinkability: This was an easy drinker which I enjoyed and could easily have another. That said it seemed to me to be a touch lacking in complexity so I'll not be going out of my way to stock it and there are a few others I'll buy in preference.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2010 22:39:00 | More by drtth

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to yourefragile for grabbing a bottle of this for me. Served in a Mikasa tulip.

Pours a clear light golden color with loads of visible carbonation bubbles that continue all the way down. Big fluffy white head with a sheet of lacing on the sides of the glass. Great retention, as it settles to a half-inch cap for the duration.

The nose is clean with some light spicing and a very faint fruitiness. A touch of earth in the background. Everything is a bit muted, which is a bit surprising given how heavy the carbonation is; I would have thought that those little bubbles would have been pushing out a bit more aroma, especially as it warmed.

Flavor is much more intense than the nose with some nice spicy yeast notes plus a bit of apricot and pear. Other stone fruits in there as well. Some white pepper through the finish. It gets a touch fruitier as it warms up. The feel is dry and somewhat bitter. Very crisp. Body is light to medium.

Overall, this is a very nice sipping beer and great for warm weather on the deck. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 21:53:59 | More by Thorpe429

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appears a light hazy gold with mild streams of carbonation coming up to the top. Solid white head does not want to yield to the surronding pressure. Spotty and streaky lacing abound.
Smell is of slight barnyard funk mustiness with apple skin, coriander, pepper, and lemon zest with perhaps just a touch of bananas.
Taste is of the same aromas matched with that slight funkiness.
Mouthfeel is dry with some of the lemony zest and coriander peaking quickly before the dry finish.
This is going to be the shiznit when bottled. Only a few weeks away.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2005 21:01:54 | More by weeare138

walleye

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

thanks to weeare138 for this big bottle tat was corked and caged. poured a golden color with a big fluffy white head that took forever to go down and left a lot of lacing. aroma big citrus nose with pepper and yeast, orange, musty. flavor a nice orange and lemon yeast and a nice bite of hops. I think this my 5th saison and it is the best I have had. I not a big fan of this style but I think this one is changing the taste buds

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2006 02:06:54 | More by walleye

chefdejour

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a Yellow, light honey color, slightly hazy with a tight creamy head. No lacing.

S: Lightly phenolic, light sweet malt and peppery aromas.

T: Bready, spicy (rye-like) malts, light bubblegum sweetness, mild lemon finish.

M: med/light carbonation though crisp, sparkling and refreshing

D: Very pleasant and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2007 17:38:56 | More by chefdejour

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This beer had a slight haze and the color was golden orange with a thin white head.

S: Citrus, honey, vanilla, jasmine, toasted grains and spicy yeast.

T: Sweet and spicy with a healthy dose of floral and citrus hops. Very fresh tasting hops. Toasted grains and mild honey with some spice and a nice belgian yeast.

M: Smooth light to medium body with small carbonation.

D: Very easy to drink and refreshing with a true to style flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2010 01:00:50 | More by scottbrew4u

stingo

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a pale straw color with hints of orange. Nose is light fruit flavors suggesting hints of banana and something citrusy/acidic, carried on an earthy, open breeze. Most of the taste is centered in the middle of the palate, with the flavors in the nose carried through. It seems to be fairly temperature sensitive - when served too cold it has an astringently dry taste which sours the rest of the experience, but when served somewhat warmer that dryness receides into the background to form the foundation of the beer. Mouthfeel is near ideal, with a light small finish.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2004 04:49:59 | More by stingo

bmills1608

Pennsylvania

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

Darker yellow with an orange tinge in color. Smallish head, fades fast.

On the nose was a little funk, floral/citrus goldings and a wee bit of earthy goodness. Taste was bright and clean, with spicy Belgian yeast notes. Overall very drinkable, with some slight earthy tones. Towards the end a lot of orange flavors began to push through. Carbonation was good, not super fizzy but not too soft either, nice and tight. Finish was fairly dry, clean with some more spice.

Overall a very drinkable and approachable beer. Perfect for summer quenching. Perhaps a bit on the light side with lower end complexity, but very well done.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2005 00:14:09 | More by bmills1608

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

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

Poured (or should I say the beer expoded for the bottle) a hazy light amber color with massive white puffy, chunky head. Champagne-like carbonation bubble strem to the top. Nice lacy coating. Smell is malty, peppery, spicy. banana-like. Taste follows through with a firm spice, fruity, malty texture. Good creamy mouthfeel. Very drinkable and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2006 23:45:26 | More by tgbljb

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in a talk sided tulip glass)

A- This beer has a lemon yellow crystal clear body with tiny bubbles swirling around forming a super thick mousey foam that soon turns to dish soap bubbles.

S- The biggest aroma is the dry green herbal note that is still light but followed by a lighter earthy perfume note.

T- This beer has a smooth dry taste that develops into a slightly sweet note followed by some light pepper and spice finish.

M- This beer has a light mouthfeel with a tight fizz in the finish.

D- The light smooth flavor makes this very nice to quaft with some subtle hints of flavor that add a good depth.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 01:43:53 | More by rhoadsrage

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

A corked and caged 750 mL bottle, a remnant from the Stone Soup III gathering.

A: The saison is a golden yellow color, hazy even after it has warmed. The bottle opened with nary a pop and barely managed a head. All that remains after the pour are some isolated patches in the middle of the glass.

S: The aroma is dry, fruity with a combination of sweet honey and dark licorice. It doesn't jump out as exciting but it fits within the saison style.

T: Dry yeast and pale malts set the stage for the saison, leaving little in the way of sugars. Pepper and biscuity bread mix with licorice and citrusy non-hop elements. Despite the lack of bubbles on pour, the ale is well-carbonated as I drink it. There is little in the way of tart funkiness, making this a nice sipper that remains sweet (if not sharply dry) throughout.

M: The mouthfeel has a sweet/sour edge that keeps the ale firmly in the saison family. The finish takes a nice twist towards anise that makes it worthwhile.

D: The ale is a little heady, packing more alcoholic punch than it should. A nice saison.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2009 01:38:47 | More by akorsak

zoso1967

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Holy carbonation batman! A gentle pour yields a glass that was 75% foam and seems a bit over carbonated. That being said, the foam was bright white, rocky and lovely, leaving nice sloppy lace as it recedes. The beer itself is pale golden and dancing with bubbles. The aroma is typical saison with a nice floral and grassy sweet aroma, with a slight pepperyness and sweet malt. Flavor is very nice. Gently sweet and very light and clean. Grassy, floral, biscuity and light, with a nice dryness in the finish. Great pepper spice notes and a refreshing slight tartness. Very well balanced, and a bit more restrained than some of the classic examples. The mouthfeel is light with a nice lingering sweet/sour note on the tongue. Very drinkable, and a great American brewed saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2010 01:57:59 | More by zoso1967

DavoleBomb

Ohio

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

Poured into a tulip. Big thanks to psudrew for this.

4.0 A: Slightly hazed golden straw color. Three+ fingers of white frothy head with pretty good retention, but not too sticky.

4.0 S: Fairly simple, but pleasant. Main component is musty basement funk and there's plenty of that. As the beer warms up, a peachy fruitiness becomes more and more apparent. The fruitiness always plays second fiddle, which I like as I tend to prefer saisons on the dry end. Slight acid notes as well.

4.0 T: The taste is a bit more complex than the nose. Same basement funkiness and peachy fruitiness with the addition of hay, lots and lots of pear, and a lemony zing at the end. Moderate balancing bitterness. Pretty good.

4.0 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Reasonably creamy and smooth.

4.0 D: Good beer. Not much is spectacular, but nothing is flawed either. Actually, scratch that last part, there is one problem. The label is fucking ugly as hell. I have to get this last pour going so I can get it out of my sight. Anyway, back to the beer. All 750ml were well received and this is a good pickup if you haven't had it before.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2010 01:20:27 | More by DavoleBomb

craytonic

District of Columbia

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

Bottle: nice golden pour, bigg off-white mother of pearl head that stick around.

Aroma: Bit of earth, oranges, lemons, wheat, spice and peppers.

Taste: Spices (coriander), honey, lemon grass and light malt

Mouthfeel: Light body, well carbonated, very smooth

Drinkability: It isn't Fantome, but a good american take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 03:42:36 | More by craytonic

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

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

A: Pours a nice bright golden orange color. Provides a thick white foam head with sufficient lacing.

S: Plenty of spice and yeast up front. There is some suble fruityness that comes through in the way of peaches or necterines.

T: A yeasty and spicy beer, with some nice citrus fruit undertones. There is a slight hop bitterness present as well.

M: A very dry and sweet taste on the palate, if that is possible.

D: This is a very nice Saison that should be tried. Not overly complex but quite tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 20:53:44 | More by IronCitySteve

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally a Slyfox brew that I can enjoy. This beer poured out as a really nice clear golden yellow with a fizzy white head and that doesn't leave much lacing. The smell is a little on the muted side but there are some fresh grains on the nose. The taste is very floral and hoppy, there is a nice sweet malt finish to it and is pretty refreshing. The mouthfeel is light and sharp, very crisp feeling. Overall it's a pretty damn good beer. Glad I had it!

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2011 22:57:54 | More by Knapp85

railman

New York

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

Pours a somewhat hazy off yellow color with a huge billowy white head. Lots of sticky lacing on glass.
Mildly carbonated with tiny bubbles

Aroma of yeast and lemon/citrus.

Clean and refreshing taste. Would be perfect in the summer.

A little on the thin side as far as body goes.

Overall this is a decent brew for the style.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 16:53:43 | More by railman

rawfish

California

4.01/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

Thanks to lookrider for the opportunity. Corked and caged 750mL bottle. Pours a glowing summer sun yellow, opaque with yeast but with a dense cap od white that sticks through the entire drink. Terrific.

Yeasty, active carbonation brings up the aroma of orange peel, coriander, powder, ginger and lemon zest. Not much fruit or other complexities here.

Bright lemon zest, orange peel, and powdery yeast and coriander. Very bright. Unobtrusive malt character. Finishes very clean, powdery and palate scrubbing.

Active carbonation, bright and lightens up the yeast considerably. Not detection of alcohol. High carbonation doesn't impede the flavor profile either. Ideal.

Very nice take on a saison, not very complex but a bright beer, perfect refresher. Clean and crisp.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 06:23:55 | More by rawfish

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloudy straw yellow with a rocky, fluffy, white head supported by constant streams of bubbles. As the foam subsided, thick clumps of lace were left on the glass. Very nice. Lemony, bready aroma with a bit of tartness and white pepper. Sweet, doughy flavour with some citrus and spice. Alcohol and peppery tingle lingers on the palate along with a hint of tart fruit and white grapes. Medium/light body and high carbonation that fills the mouth with foam at each sip. Just off-dry with a hint of residual sugar. Nicely balanced and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 01:02:31 | More by DrJay

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a corked and caged 750ml bottle into my Duvel tulip glass. Appears a dark golden yellow with a huge three fingers of dense and fluffy foam. Smells of peppery spices, and citrus. Tastes fruity, bitter from hops, sweet from the malt and spicy from the yeast. Stays very dry through the finish. Very crisp and clean tasting with moderate carbonation. This is one of my favorite Saisons. It paired nicely with some Asiago, Fontina and crackers.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2007 03:08:40 | More by ClockworkOrange

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pretty decent beer. Doesn't jump out at you as "saison". Belgian pale similarities... Really, the closest thing this resembles is a saison, I guess.

Served in a 10oz chalice. Has the color of peach nectar - yellow-orange and slightly hazy. No head.

The aroma is fruity and only vaguely spicy. Has a juicy, medium-light bodied, mellow feel despite some noticeable carbonation in the appearance. The essence of peach or blush remains potent in the aftertaste and my mouth gradually became puckery and bordering on dry with successive each sip. The "special strain" of yeast felt pushed to the back. It's presence was just enough to notice and far from strong enough to frighten away someone hesitant about or uninitiated to the style.

Paired wonderfully with their amazing Jamaican Jerk wings. The fruit factor dropped out quite a bit and the beer became more crisp and clean.

It's a solid beer, lacking much of the zippy yeast and farmhouse nuances that characterize the style. But it's quite Refreshing and enjoyable, nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2010 01:18:31 | More by Bouleboubier

HotHands

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - arrived a clear gold color with a very rich, creamy white head.

S - Belgian yeast, citrus, fruitiness.

T - lots of different fruity and spicy flavors dancing around here with a good yeast backbone. There is a bit of toasty smokiness going on in the background, but it's significant. Finish is bitter and clean.

M - slightly below average carbonation. Good body.

Overall - a very nice American made saison that could give Hennepin a run for its money. Good job, Sly Fox.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2011 05:27:45 | More by HotHands

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Undone gold caged & corked bottle released into a Duvel tulip with a fantastic hazy straw light golden pour loaded with frisky bubbles topped by a huge ivory headcap that just won't quit. Amazing lacing and retention. Truly deserves this 5/5.

Scents are lightly peppery and doughy with a welcome airy note that opens up to a dry signature Belgian doughy aroma.

First swigs: Mirroring the nose, a light dough and pepper with an airy Earthiness. Some mineral notes and a touch of flour dough and a touch of lemony zest. Dry lingering aftertaste. This saison is like all other Sly Fox beers in that it is spot on. Just a fine interpretation of dry peppery dough and airy.

Feel is a medium bodied and super clean with a slight dry aftertaste. Quite frothy in the kisser and a frothy shush in each sip.

Last swigs: Was looking for a bit more horseblanket to please my personal palate, but still quite flavorful. Paid $12 for a 22 oz bottle at my local Union Jacks. A little step but I don't mind supporting Sly Fox, especially at a good local beer bar. This is also a great bottle to trade with fellow BA saison appreciators. Not Saison Dupont, but dry like it and a touch less funk.

Beer is good. Happy saison local beering.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2006 01:38:13 | More by blitheringidiot

DaggerEyes

New York

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

the cork really shot out of this bottle, thought I was popping a bottle of champagne not a bottle of beer.

pours a hazy gold with a thick craggy froathy white head with small beads of carbonation rising to the surface...only visible when held to the light.

clean peppery aroma with sweet notes of lemon and some funky earth

Tons of spice on the taste, hits the tip of the tongue like a ton of bricks. Cirtus notes mingle with some bubble gummy flavors

Medium Carbonation/body a clean and somewhat dry finish

Super drinkable beer...I could just drink decent Siason's all night

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2007 04:06:30 | More by DaggerEyes

WesWes

New York

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a nice gold color with a towering white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great! It has a wondefully fruity nose along with a dry spiciness as well. The grassy noble hops blend nicely with the yeast esters. The taste is good. It has a solid pilsner malt flavor that goes down easy and finishes quite dry and fruity. THe earthiness is outstanding. The mouthfeel however is lacking. The carbonation is a bit too powerful. Otherwise, this is a top notch saison. It's well brewed and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2008 20:58:33 | More by WesWes