Saison VOS - Sly Fox Brewing Company

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at SF in Phoenixville. Appears clear gold with little head retention. Very spicy and clove-like in aroma. Pepper notes aplenty. Tastes spicy with good hop presence that tinges the tip of your tongue. Light bodied feel that does not feel like a 6.9% ABV brew!

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2010 16:22:38 | More by jwhancher

dougofthefuture

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to yourefragile for this one. Best by 5/26/12. Corked and caged.

A - Giant head on a very slow pour, very light golden in color underneath all that fluffy head.

S - The crisp pils malt and the bright hops from the stronger hop level make this smell like a dry hopped pilsner instead of a saison. While it is fresh and inviting, it is somewhat confusing.

T&M - Again, very confusing. Part pilsner (light body, dry), part english bitter (bright crisp bitterness), part spicy belgian saison. Overall, the bitterness wins out on the yeast profile, which is a little disappointing, but it is still quite good.

D - A very refreshing beer, albeit one with a bit of an identity crisis. A great end of summer beer on Labor Day.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2010 22:01:48 | More by dougofthefuture

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

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

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a glass that I have no idea how to categorize or name...

A- Pours a hazy yellow straw color with about 2 fingers of perfect white foamy head that takes a little time to subside.

S - Lemony aroma up front with some spices and some yeasty/bready smells to it as well. A nice honey like aroma comes out as well.

T - Very sweet, yeasty and lemony flavors. A good bit of spices comes out as well; coriander and clove I think. Some grassy, earthy notes as well which makes it more like a saison than a strong pale ale to me.

M - Quite carbonated as I would expect from this style. A bubbly mouthfeel with a nice crisp feel as well.

D - Quite drinkable and would be great during the hot summer months. Very easy to drink and is light and airy enough to come back for seconds.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 17:45:56 | More by KAP1356

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-pours a golden straw colored head with a hint of haze and a thin bubbly white head.

S-yeast up front, light lemon and orange peel notes, oily aroma, floral herbs, corriander.

T-yeasty lemon, orange peel, corriander, notes of floral grassy herbs, light bitterness in back. very simple and straight forward.

M-grainy feel in a good way with a syrupy texture and nice carbonation to back it up with a lightly dry finish.

D-very easy drinker, very straight forward beer, not a lot happening here but still a great summer drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2010 01:18:13 | More by cpetrone84

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter on 5/15/10

Appears to be dated 11/18/11

Thanks to wedge341

Pours a light, golden amber in color. Bright yellow highlights. Faint cloudiness. A few stray chunks of yeast have settles on the bottom of the glass. Two fingers of billowy foam dies down quickly. Swirling revives an impressive layer. Retention is thin but decent. Marginal lacing at best.

The aroma is enticing enough. Lots of bright spicy tones; clove & citrusy lemon peel. Grassiness abounds, smelling fresh & clean. Mild hops & toasted grain overtones. There's an appreciable mustiness well-suited to the style.

The taste is pretty good; it mimics the nose for the most part. The grassiness is most apparent & actually seems to relegate everything else to a supportive role. Mustiness is prevalent, too. Thankfully the mustiness gives way to clove & lemon zest. Possibly some pear & apple to be had buried way down in it. A bit of toastiness as well.

Medium-light in body with ample carbonation. It's quite vigorous & pointed; definitely a higher-carbonated beer (maybe too much, actually). The finish is sharp with spices & grassiness lingering on the finish.

Drinkability is alright for the most part. I like the taste, but the carbonation just seems to overwhelm it at times. Other than that, it's a reasonably solid beer. While I likely won't go to geat lengths to try it again, it's worth a shot if you happen across it.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2010 00:05:44 | More by Ryan011235

jorg2619

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was happy to get this 750ml bottle in my quest to drink more regional brews from Pa and the Mid-Atlantic region.

I was surprised by the carbonation after opening the bottle. I carefully poured a tulip glass of foam and waited. This aside the foam settled into a clear light amber color with lots of carbonation rising throughout. It smelled of yeast and and a hint of bread. The taste is crisp, again bready, finishing smoothly with a mild tart ending of hops not noticed until a few drinks. A refreshing farm house ale, and another solid brew by Sly Fox. Over carbonation was not that big of a deal for me as it is bottle conditioned. I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 20:59:50 | More by jorg2619

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

Patrick999

Florida

3.48/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Always good to see an American brewer taking a crack at saison. And bottle-conditioned, yeah, I'll definitely give this a go.

The cork took some coaxing, but it eventually blasted out. Big alabaster foam, sunny gold body. Looks great in a tulip.

Slightly sweet aroma, pears and a little pungent yeast. Smells more like a tripel to me.

Hmmm. This might be one of the best domestic Belgian Strong Pale Ales I've had in quite some time. Underlying sweetness, sweet pears and apples, little pepper, minor bitterness. Bit of a sweaty sourdough. Not really pulling too many saison characteristics here other than peppery. I think it falls short of the mark for a saison, but succeeds wildly as a Belgian pale.

As such, it has a very good, nah, damn near outstanding mouthfeel. The bottle-conditioning has really done well for this beer, it's soft, bubbly and full all at once. If I didn't know better I'd think this is Belgian.

As a saison, not my favorite, but that doesn't stop it from being a tasty, drinkable beer. Would be versatile with food, and I can also see a lot of people liking this. Saison or no, I can't deny the visuals, feel and overall drinkability. My low-ish score for taste only reflects that I think it doesn't meet the criteria for a saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2010 19:49:41 | More by Patrick999

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

Richardberg

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Cork exploded as soon as the wire was loosened! Guess that happens when you have a yeasty, bottle conditioned beer marked "best by 4/13/09." Once things calmed down: hazy, pale, and golden with a big lacy head.

S: citrus zest, pepper, white grape, yeast, grass, bit of sweetness

T: surprisingly mild given the complex nose. Basic mixture of pale malts, lots of hopping (but still basic; doesn't give the impression of blending too many things together), and some yeasty residue. Finish is crisp, bready, and mostly dry despite the sugar/lemon you might expect from the smell. Overall a very pleasant and unpretentious balance.

M: medium body with tons of fizz (see above!)

D: Spicy & interesting without anything to offend or overwhelm the palate. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2009 02:25:49 | More by Richardberg

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a sightly golden color with a big cap of white foam that left plenty of lacing down the tulip glass. Nice aroma of yeast, pear, pepper, spice and lemon--a very appetizing combination.

On the palate, the beer is light to medium bodied but with nice carbonization. Club cracker-like malt along with with fruitiness from the yeast. Refreshing through the center with a pleasant sourness. Spice finishes it off.

A drinkable and tasty brew. I enjoyed it very much.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2009 20:41:04 | More by BeardedBoffin

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

armock

New York

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured a golden color with a white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of yeast spice and lemon

T - Starts off with banana then the yeast and spice come out with a touch of lemon lots of stuff happening in the taste

M - This beer has a medium body with high carbonation to it

D - One of the best Saisons that I've had very enjoyable definitely a beer to get others into Saisons or craft beer in general great taste that very easy to drink glad I picked this bottle out worth trying

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 16:19:23 | More by armock

deanhead

Vermont

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured aggressively into my Tripel Karmeliet glass producing a voracious head. Golden colored with a pure white billowy head that took some time to settle. One settled billows of foam seemed to coagulate in the glass here and there. These pockets stayed with the beer to the bottom of the glass. It was an amazing sight to behold.

The beer itself had a yeasty, spicy, grassy aroma with a hint of coriander and lemon zest and waffles.
Taste was slightly yeasty, with hints of biscuit, and honey.
Light to medium bodied beer that coated my tongue and teeth leaving a slightly sweet residual taste in my mouth.

Fabulous example of the style. I really really enjoyed this beer. Highly quaff-able!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2009 13:52:53 | More by deanhead

DIM

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

a: This was a bright, clear, pale yellow. It poured with a large, sticky, incredibly long lasting bone white head.

s: Sweet banana esters, candied sugar, and some prickly yeastiness. There was a little warmth coming off of this one.

t: This was one of the sweeter saisons I've tried. The banana esters tasted a bit like banana flavored candy. There are some subtle flowery berry flavors as well before a semi-dry yeasty finish.

m: Mouth filling creamy carbonation and a semi-syrupy body.

d: I prefer Sly Fox's Saison Brune, which isn't as sweet. Still, this was pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2009 11:41:50 | More by DIM

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The smell is a bit barnyard, with lots of malt behind it. The taste, from a medium plus mouthfeel,is hoppy and mildly spicey, and is a bit astringent (likely from pepper) in the finish.Drinkable though not best of style.Orange with off-white head.Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2008 04:38:02 | More by northyorksammy

ccrida

Oregon

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to johnmichaelsen for bringing me this bottle!
Poured into my large Gulden Draak tulip, Saison Vos is a chill-hazed, dark brassy gold, with a bigger, very light tan white head that leaves decent, foamy lace.

Smell is very floral, nice fruity esters, pears and bubble gum, very nice, if a little soft.

Taste is a little stronger, spicier and thicker then usual. Slightly waxy, with an earthy must and honeyed sweetness. Served cold, with a very sharp, lingering spicy finish that's phenolic with sugary fusels, but rounds out some as it warms. The effect is a puckering sourness, sugary grapefruit or lemon juice, but a more vinous acidity, almost akin to young chardonnay, or pear wine.

Mouthfeel is thicker, with an exceptionally creamy carbonation, yet dry, prickly on the tongue, a little solvent like.

Drinkability is ok, I'm really surprised this is only 6.9%, as it drinks a good bit stronger, to boozy and full for the style. It does, however, say it's made to age, and I probably should have done so, garding it until next spring, as a bière de mars or printemps. Oh well, we're still early into the fall, and having never had it before I couldn't wait!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2008 03:00:49 | More by ccrida

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

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a clear golden-rod with a huge billowy white head that was fully lasting leaving a great film lacing behind. Visible carbonation was high and steady.

S: yeasty, bursting with a big banana aroma, some lemon bread and light dried citrus.

T: The flavor was spicy, lemons, dry oranges, coriander and bananas. There is also a noticeable fruitiness (pineapple) and some spicy tart citrus notes as well a lemony hopping.

M: medium bodied, citrusy and very clean with a good carbonation bringing out the spicy tart nature of the beer.

D: Great drinkability, clean and well balanced drinking very nicely. Can easily drink this in multiples and not tire of it, great complexity and spiciness.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 14:55:13 | More by beerthulhu

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle, purchased at Capones.

Clear, bright yellow. Large, rocky, yellow tinged head. Good lacing, no legs.

Scent was lemon and grass.

Taste was candi sugar, with lots of citrus - orange and lemon. Spices. Crackery middle. Good herbal bittering at finish.

Light to medium body. High carbonation, could tone down a bit. Fairly dry.

Very tasty session beer. A little sweeter than I like, but very good. Sly Fox puts out another winner.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2008 16:10:44 | More by

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

AltBock

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I was able to try this Sly Fox beer on tap during High Street Grill's Sly Fox promo on 4/22/2008. They served it to me in a Sly Fox standard pint glass.

This Sly Fox poured a lightly hazy golden sunshine yellow with a decent 1/2 inch fluffy head of white foam. I thought it had good retention that left behind a small white film and single solitary blot of white lace. The aroma was lightly citrusy with hints of lemon, bubblegum, yeast, and pine needles. While the aroma was lighly citrusy, the taste couldn't get enough of the citrus flavors. Beyond the citrus flavor front was pine needles, grapefruit, lightly toasted wheat, yeast, and ended with a mild hop punch of dried citrus hops. The mouthfeel was light like it should have been, but it had a funky aftertaste that mixed together dried citrus hops, malted wheat, and something that tasted like it was antiseptic. It's hard to explain, but it sure was funky. In the end, I think Sly fox did a great job on their Saison. It's just too bad the aftertaste had to be funky.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2008 16:47:40 | More by AltBock

dennarb

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had my first taste of this surprising beer from a freshly opened keg at Standard Tap. Bright yellow with a big snow white head. This is a crisp, exceptionally refreshing beer with a hint of apple cider in the nose and a fun spicy quality including a little smack of home made root beer when it goes down. As the days get hotter this is going to become a favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2008 23:29:36 | More by dennarb