McBane's Abduction Saison - Sly Fox Brewing Company

tobelerone

New Jersey

2.33/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

On tap at the Phoenixville brewpub. Very odd beer brewed or at least created by the guys at the Tap and Mallet. I was told the beer had evolved quite a bit over time and in my opinion, at least, it wasn't for the better. Pours a clear gold with a small, quickly settling head and minimal lacing. Aroma is overwhelmed by thyme; there are aspects of lemon and the spicy saison yeast but they're faint and one has to strain to pick them up.

The nose is confirmed in the flavor; the thyme has run amok, completely smothering any other aspects of the beer and making this borderline undrknkable. And I like thyme! Its just way, way too much. There's a bit of yeast and lemony citrus underneath, and a suggestion of ginger, but the thyme flavor is simply way too powerful and the results are, sorry to say, awful.

Medium light bodied with crisp carbonation, decent enough feel overall, but it doesn't come close to saving this beer. I would have liked to try this when it was younger and all of the elements might have been in harmony. As it was I was I 'd have thought twice about even serving this.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2012 14:19:56 | More by tobelerone

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +32.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the 2012 Goat Races.

A - Poured with a very hazy, dulled golden yellow body...the head was one finger tall and didn't last long...it became very a very spotty cap and left some light, patchy lacing

S - The lemon characteristic stands out above everything else...the other two spices are left behind, but the ginger has the upper hand on the thyme...some Belgian yeast is present

T - Again, the lemon dominates everything and makes this beer boarder on being a radler/shandy...but I am not complaining...the ginger and thyme balance the lemon out in the middle, giving the beer a slightly spicy characteristic...more spice is added from the Belgian yeast, but it also adds some body...the finish is all citrus and even a bit of bitter rind

M - Light bodied...crisp, refreshing, thirst quenching, citrusy

O - As I said, the addition of the lemon almost makes this one a radler/shandy...but the yeast and spices round out the lemonade flavor in the middle and the other citrus notes make for an enjoyable finish...easy to drink on a warm day

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2012 14:47:58 | More by thain709