Saison Style Ale (Sonoma Farmhouse) - Lagunitas Brewing Company

litheum94

California

4.4/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler from Lagunitas. Awesome glass!

Pale golden body, slightly opaque, but you can still see through it. Short, tight, bone white head. Settles out to a thin cover, with some pools of bubbles.

White pepper and some clove spice. Grassy. Lemon twinge with some tea like aromas. Earthy yeast. Perfect saison nose.

Bright, lemon flavors, tending more towards the sweet side, but with some tartness. Nice spicey bite mid-palate, with some pepper warmth. Light flavors of stone fruit with earthy tones. Finish has some chalky flavors, and more earthy tones from the hops. Dry and crisp, with a good amount of carbonation. A little bitterness lingers.

This is one of my favorite saisons. It seemed to disappear for awhile, but now seems to be in regular rotation at Lagunitas. Refreshing and tasty. Glad I can get this again.

Serving type: growler

09-09-2012 23:26:05 | More by litheum94

metter98

New York

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On-tap at Beer Authority, New York, NY

A: The beer is slightly hazy pale yellow in color. It poured with a quarter finger high off white head that left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of lemon citrus and grainy malts in the nose along with some hints of spices.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has lots of lemony citrus and grainy malts in the flavors. There are some very slight hints of sourness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. No dryness is perceptible.
O: The lemony aromas and flavors of this beer are nice except that it seems it could have used some more dryness and spices.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 18:20:07 | More by metter98

elNopalero

Texas

3.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours with a big heady foam atop a golden, clear yellow beer. Think hazy blonde-straw yellow.

The aroma has some estery notes. Very floral, with just a hint of wet hay.

The flavor is light, floral, spicy, and dominated by yeasty estery notes. The characteristic Lagunitas hoppiness is dialed down on this one. Easy drinker, albeit not terribly interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2012 19:45:41 | More by elNopalero

ehammond1

California

3.68/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Clear golden yellow with a somewhat small near-white head that doesn't leave much stick down the glass.

The aroma is that of a classic saison: some lemon, distinctive yeast, a bit of black pepper, and a bit of hay and grass.

The flavor is similar to the aroma and quite classic. The lemon and yeast are the main elements, with a bit of distinctive pepper and grass character.

Medium bodied with lower to moderate carbonation.

A classic saison that lacks a bit in appearance and mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 22:15:49 | More by ehammond1

djbreezy

Washington

3.65/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Belmont Station in PDX.

appearance - yellow and transparent, some lacing, white head

smell - fruit, grass, lemon

taste - lemon and spice, fruit, grassy, wheat

mouthfeel - light, well carbonated

overall - pretty standard saison fare, refreshing

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2011 21:44:39 | More by djbreezy

Reidrover

Oregon

3.73/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Venti's Taphouse Salem..full Imperial Pint.
Golden ,bright straw coloured ale with a good sized pure white head.
Nice breezy saison/pepper aromas..but not too strong
Veery nice semi-dry taste..not too sweetv ,just right
Very nice on the tongue..not too carbonated
Overall a good drinkable attempt

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 05:08:05 | More by Reidrover

Mora2000

Texas

3.58/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Common Table.

The beer pours a gold-amber color with a medium-sized white head. The aroma has a lot of wheat in it, with some grass from the hops and also some Belgian yeast notes.

The flavor is similar. I get a lot of pepper from the yeast, as well as a little bit of orange citrus and a lot of wheat. There is some hop flavor but not any bitterness.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 04:06:51 | More by Mora2000

scottfrie

California

4.15/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the brewery 8/20/2011.

A: Served a very light clear yellow with a long lasting white head that eventually faded into a fuzzy film that left some streaks of thin lacing down the glass.
S: Tons of fruit on the nose. I get sweet and strong notes of peaches and golden fruits with a touch of hay.
T: Super fruity like the nose with flavors of peach and lemon. I also get chalky yeast, a touch of minerals, bubblegum, lemon zest, bread and grassy hay. Flavors are light and refreshing.
M: Soft carbonation but airy, medium-light body, and a refreshing mouthfeel. The finish is drying but not too dry.
O: This is one fresh and bright smelling/tasting saison. There was a good balance between fruit and hay. Glad to see they’re making this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2011 03:14:37 | More by scottfrie

ckeegan04

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Picked up late last year at Beverage World in Ft O, GA. Always interested to try a new saison.

A - Dark golden-yello with a thick creamy white head. Very clean and clear with very active carbonation.

S - Surprisingly strong bready aroma with just a hint of peppery spice. As the beer warms a touch of lemon zest comes through. Very muted saison aromas.

T - Light fruity tastes along with a big bready backing. Just a hint of lemon zest a nd some very muted peppery spice. Alot of the typical saison tastes are in here, they are just not very noticeable. Light sweetness in the finish.

M/D - Light and crisp without a whole lot going on. Easy drinking but dissapointing by saison standards.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 20:40:59 | More by ckeegan04

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +28.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the new Lagunitas tap room/Beer Garden on 7/18/09. Served in a logo plastic cup.

A - Very effervescent pale golden body with solid one-finger, rocky bright white head that settled into a quarter inch of retention and yielded lots of sticky foam all around the cup.

S - Initial aroma blends subtle spices and barnyard funk with hints of clove, hay, yeast and light citrus notes. Some sweet honey notes and an inkling of easthy hops also emerged as the liquid warmed up.

T - Very subtle yet flavorful farmhouse ale with spicy, yeasty notes suggesting clove and hay. A subtle earthy hop character emerges, reminiscent of fresh mild herbs. Finishes with a very slight sour funk accompanied by a light citrus hop bitterness.

M - Light bodied with a light syrupy texture and lively carbonation, resulting in lots of bristle all over the palate. Finishes with very mild funky and bitter notes on the back of the tongue.

D - Excellent, sessionable farmhouse ale with lots of subtle flavors that all blend together quite nicely. Nothing really stands out to the point of domination.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2009 00:07:05 | More by ffejherb

beertunes

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I don't have much experience with this style, so I may re-review at a later time. This was a very active beer and the publican had difficult time getting a good pour. After finally getting the beer it was a very sharp, clear yellow with a thick, bright, white head that dissipated at a medium pace, leaving lots of sticky lacing.

A lovely spicy, yeasty aroma greeted the nose. In a change for me the aromas were stronger and more pronounced than the flavors (this may have to do with how active the beer was causing it to be a little flat by the time I could drink it). The favors were were subdued compared to the aromas and I was slightly disappointed by this.

Again, without a lot of time with the style, I' calling the body and drinkability average. I found the body slightly thin and the drinkability to be very good, but this may be typical of the style and not representative of the beer.

A good beer, worth trying, from a brewery I like.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2009 22:02:00 | More by beertunes

everetends

Alabama

3.13/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber that I picked up at Arbor Place Beverage in Douglasville, GA. I think the bottle was a little under 4 bucks, which keeps with the nice priced Lagunitas theme. Always, always dig the price of Lagunitas brews. Well its Saison Sundsy so I figured this should be in my Free the Hops tulip.

A: Well it hits the glass and I am a bit thrown off. This has the thinness and color of a pretty typical macro. Really generic golden yellow that is crystal clear. The head was a good finger of bubbly white foam, but it fell to a decent ring with an amoeba-like cap. It doesn't throw up any lace due to lack of stick. Carbonation is incredibly active, with a fountain like appearance of constant streams of quick moving bubbles. Sadly this is the only thing that stands out about the look. This straight up looks like a lager.

S: Smell is not bad. Getting some lemon first. Probably some zest actually. Touch of pear and maybe some peach. Light pale malts are coming across with a touch of breadiness but not sweet in the least. I am getting just a touch of earthiness, maybe some hay and dirt but no real funk or tartness. It really does have the bare minimum of what you expect from the style.

T: Pretty much the same as the nose. Getting a bare minimum in the effort to make a saison. Yet again there is a light lemon presence coming first, maybe a touch of sour mix type flavor mingling with the lightest of pear flavors. Malts are light, no real sweetness or heft. Just a dull pale malt presence. There is a touch of floral hops coming out and that does make me happy . . . a little happy. Yet again no real funk coming out. Maybe touch of wet hay and some earth. There is a residual honey sweetness lingering here. Also a touch of tart flavor on the backend. Its ok.

M: Light bodied with a big time and very crisp carbonation. It is refreshing with all the carbonation and the thinness. This beer does have a pretty decent dryness to it, almost of a white wine quality. Its wierd but this beer almost seems to have a heavier ABV than the recorded 6%. Thats strange. Aftertaste is a little honey and touch of tart.

D: Well, it seems I got what I paid for. 4 bucks for a Saison got me a 4 dollar quality Saison. With that said, yes it is simple bu its not breaching the bad real. Maybe it just rests in the disappointing arena. This beer is just there, doing just enough and at times not enough. It is very accessible but that may not necessarily be the best of things in this example. Ah well. Shit happens.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2009 05:14:46 | More by everetends

blackc5

Washington

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

This saison struck me as being completely average in all characteristics. Unfortunately, nothing really stood out about it, and I wouldn't make an effort to really go back to it.

It poured a cloudy amber, with a medium head and little lacing. Smell was earthy hops and pine, with some floral and fruity notes. Taste was fairly routine with a fairly bitter aftertaste. Mouthfeel was crisp and dry, improving a bit as it warmed.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2009 20:33:38 | More by blackc5

Grabbin2nd

California

3.43/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From Notes: 3/17/09
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Saison Farmhouse Style Ale
22 oz. Bomber
6% Abv.

Appearance= Nice Fluffy 2 finger head that dissipates into 1. Pale Yellow color. Slightly cloudy, minimal carbonation.

Smell= Yeasty. Not much going on.

Taste= Taste is average. Not good, not bad. Definite flavor though. Heh.

Mouthfeel= Creamy on entry and initial feel. Thin on the backend.

Drinkability= Very drinkable, nothing wrong with this beer, so it's highly drinkable. If you want to sit down and pound some of this or eat it with a meal, it works both ways. Overall, not really my style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2009 19:21:21 | More by Grabbin2nd

OStrungT

California

4.28/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a very light golden yellow color, with a thin white head. The head fades fast, leaving pretty much no lace.

This beer has a pleasent grainy aroma. I can smell some spicy yeasy notes. Coriander and ginger. Slightly peppery also.

This beer tastes much like it smells. Grainy with some spicy flavor. It also has a slightly grassy hop flavor.

This beer is crisp and refreshing. It leaves a slightly peppery aftertaste.

This beer would probably make a good session beer. It is not too high in alcohol, and the flavor is nice.

Overall: Lagunitas has always been, to me, hit or miss. This beer is a hit. I liked it and I am sad that it took me this long to try it.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2009 21:27:39 | More by OStrungT

lehkost

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer would receive better marks from me if it were not marketed as a saison-style ale. I will explain why:

1. The beer is filtered, giving it the appearance of a pale ale, not a saison.
2. The body is extremely mild. Spice is mild. The interplay of the yeast and the spice is not there, and so it simply doesn't taste like a saison.

On the other hand:

I really enjoyed this beer, and I think it's a wonderful session ale. While a saison shouldn't be chuggable, this beer certainly is, and I feel the beer stands on its own, but markets itself for something it isn't.

The figure I received for the ABV on draft is 6%, but the site lists it at 5.2%.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2009 18:25:06 | More by lehkost

MisterClean

California

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Lagunitas night at Davis Grad.

A - Pours copper with a 1 fingered white head, which dissipated immediately. Left no lacing obviously.

S - Honey, sour esters, and creamy.

T - Honey, toffee, bready, and lightly bitter.

M - Full-bodied, well-balanced, and sweet.

D - Not bad, could have more spice flavors and better head retention.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2009 18:49:58 | More by MisterClean

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

Grabbed this bottle in a trade recently as well. One of those that I never would have sought out, but was very glad that it found me. I used this as a nightcap believe it or not as I was just in the mood for the style. Served cold and poured into a fluted pilsner glass, this one was consumed on 04/12/2009.



The pour was very nice, very bright with a rich head of white that came up over the top almost immediately. Really nice retention at first before it faded down into nothing after a few moments. Loaded with carbonation that kept reinforcing it though, this was definitely top notch. The aroma was light, airy, with a hint of light hops and a touch of peach like fruit notes. Hints of light grass and lots of grain as it warms, a touch of sour as well in the nose. Nice smooth, clean and light feeling as I take the first sip, it was really quite refreshing I have to say. Light apple and grass like flavors were the dominant notes here. Really nice and tight flavor profile, I had no issue at all with getting this one down in a hurry.



Overall a very solid, very light and quite session able version of the style. I could see this one as my go to summer beer. Really very, very well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 00:27:28 | More by mikesgroove

IRONRakkasan

California

4.2/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice orange/amber color to it, with a minimal head.

The aroma was full of fruit and a blend of spices I wish I could pick out. I'll just say they smelled "rich".

It was a sweet fruity bitter offering, and the bitterness in the aftertaste was just fine.

The alcohol was hid well.

This one you might not get tired of.

Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2009 06:52:21 | More by IRONRakkasan

snpub540

California

3.65/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a slightly hazy gold color. Small white head and some lacing on the glass.

Smell is very earthy and grassy. Also some spice notes in there.

Taste has alot of banana and clove flavor. Some orange zest bitterness with a dry grassy hop finish. It is a clean and crisp taste but it doesn't linger.

Mouthfeel is crisp and refreshing. Very easy to drink because it goes down smooth.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2009 02:36:22 | More by snpub540

magictrokini

California

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is different from the Pinot Barreled version as it is not barreled. Hazy gold pour with a dense white head. Excellent lacing Banana, yeast, straw, and apples in the nose. A hint of pineapple and metal may occur. Smooth, sweet bubblegum and banana in the flavor. Honey, wheat, pears, orange zest, spice, and yeast come around frequently. Slightly musty, but in a good way. Leans toward the trippel in flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2008 17:44:12 | More by magictrokini

kimcgolf

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Taco Mac in the Highlands. Poured to a light orange yellow with medium white head that lingered well and left okay lacing. Nose was a very mild, yet pleasant banana, spices and hint of orange. Mouthfeel was full and a little chewy, but led nicely into the malty fruit taste, which improved more as the beer warmed slightly. Rounded off to a nice finish.

Had two and could have had more.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2008 03:43:22 | More by kimcgolf

Jettanbass9

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

this was a last second pick up from Capones in Norristown.

Slightly cloudy with a pale pilsen gold hue. a high level of carbonation can be seen as tightly knit bubbles float to the top. A light thin eggshell hued head caps this refreshing looking brew.

Earthy, grainy notes take the forefront but a metallic blast cuts through it all. I searched for some sour notes but only found sweet malts and possibly some earthy/herbal hop aromas. The metallic note is very distracting.

Pilsner grains, sweet malts and an earthy, just barely, pepper character come through. This beer is clean, way too clean for the style. Nothing is offending, too extreme or too subdued but it just lacks any umph.

Mouthfeel is smooth and dry with spot on carbonation. What it lacks in taste makes up in mouthfeel and body. This beer is easy to put down, no doubt about it. There is nothing offending about this brew just not a lot of character. If this were on tap, this would make a helluva contender to pair with just about any hearty dinner or rustic sandwich at lunch. It's clean, crisp profile makes a perfect pair with just about any meal.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2008 03:11:22 | More by Jettanbass9

atsprings

North Carolina

3.3/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Tyler's in Durham, served a crisp clear straw yellow with a thin diminishing head. Aroma is some slight spice and sweet malts. The taste is all the spice and yeast flavor I'd expect in the style, quite generic for the style with nothing standing out to make it memorable. The beer is certainly crisp and refreshing as the style calls for. This is just another American-made Saison that does not hold a candle to true Belgian ones and Hennepin.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2008 01:49:24 | More by atsprings

twiggamortis420

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very clear dark gold color. Head is little to none and there is no yeast.

What is this? Maltyness from Lagunitas?! Malts dominate the nose, but not sure that they picked the right style to start doing that. I get honey, hawaiian bread, malty sweetness and flour.

Definately strange. Might be the most malty saison I have ever had. Not much funk and some...but not much hops. Kind of wheat-esque hay tasting. Earthy.

This is not a bad tasting beer, but definitely not a good example of the style. Lagunitas surprised me with this one...both for the fact it is heavily malty and that it does not taste that great. Will pass on this one next time.

BTW...Came in last in a blind tasting we did with DuPont, LeMerle, Phantome, Boulevard and Hennepin

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2008 04:17:02 | More by twiggamortis420