A Saison Darkly (Import Series Vol. 2) - Stillwater Artisanal Ales

nhindian

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -34%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

11.2oz bottle poured into a Cantillon wine glass.

Batch #2, best before October 2012.

A - Pours a chestnut brown color with some dark hints in the middle of it. A bubbly head quickly rises from the depths, finally culminating in a 2-fingered head with moderate retention. It leaves pretty quick, but a half-finger cap lingers behind. Lacing is pretty low, not leaving foam.

S - The nose is much fainter than I would've expected, and bears almost no similarities to a typical saison. There's some burnt and even roasty notes here, as if it's trying to be like a Black IPA. Outside of that, some yeast and floral notes are buried here, but aren't readily apparent.

T - As in the nose, the taste brings elements of roast and chocolate, which honestly I don't think melds with the saison backbone nicely at all. The spices, hibiscus, and floral qualities also add a third element which doesn't quite fit anywhere as well. Strangely smokey and overly malty. Not a fan.

M - Mouthfeel is relatively light-bodied with high carbonation. A decent feeling beer, and finishes rather dry which is nice as well.

D/O - Drinkability is moderately low. Can't say I'm not disappointed in this one, especially for $5.99 a bottle (although the price doesn't factor in to this particular rating). A nice concept, but I'm not sold on it as you don't get much benefit from either the saison or the malt here without the other interfering. I'm glad I tried it, but won't be seeking it out again.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 06:06:11 | More by nhindian

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-21-2013 20:51:09 | More by InspectorBob

jtladner

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-18-2013 21:55:51 | More by jtladner

jklecko2

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

05-06-2013 19:23:46 | More by jklecko2

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-02-2013 05:00:50 | More by spycow

LambicPentameter

Kansas

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-28-2013 16:39:09 | More by LambicPentameter

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

P: Vivacious dirty dark brown cola appearance with a ridiculously massive crown of rocky foam about 4 fingers high. The head was so large it took about 5 minutes to finish the pour. Retention is great but minimal lacing.

S: Rotten wood, dried grain, barley, rye, basement funk, saltine crackers, blueberries, cherries, apples, allspice, clove, herb/medicinal aroma and Belgian yeast. A subtle undertone of fresh ground coffee beans, cracked pepper, and bubble gum. Aroma is similar to an Oud Bruin.

T/M: Coffee and a strong fruity medicinal flavor engulfs the palate. Dark fruits, musty funk, vanilla, oak, bitter fun dip powder and b-vitamins. Molasses and brown sugar sweetness combine with the smoldered grains. Zesty carbonation exploding across the tongue in a sloshy medium body. Super dry powdery finish that lingers ground up nuts.

O: Not sure about this one. This is a beer that must be enjoyed warm. I was shocked at how much changed once it warmed. When it was cold it was just a mess. I'm still on the fence with this one. Not one that I would seek out.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 05:53:13 | More by Hopswagger

MostlyNorwegian

Illinois

3.56/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Massive head that would not quit on this bottle snapped up from West Lakeview. First pour was all foam. Not personally a big fan of massive carbonation levels, and not sure how all that actions works with this ones very dark complexion. Instantly though, I got a hankering for some charcuterie, gherkins and spicy mustard. Definitely something to leave out and let warm up and absolutely a beer that begs to be paired with food, the kind of which I didn't have. Not terribly spicy in the peppery way. It's more a tartness from the berries and hibiscus peaking through which would probably only become more pronounced served closer to room temp and have more to say without the carbonation levels piercing the profile so much. Perhaps I missed the point as I didn't have anything to pair it with and didn't ignore it long enough for all of the components to really get their dance on. Would seek out another (if possible) for a more relaxed leisurely stroll to the end of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 14:26:36 | More by MostlyNorwegian

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a dark black color ale with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of solid rustic malt with light funky ester with some light spices notes also easily identifiable. Taste is a somewhat unique mix between some roasted malt with dry notes with light funky yeast ester and some spices also discernable. The hibiscus and berries were quite hard to distinguish. Body is quiet full with great carbonation. Interesting experiment with good balance between different ingredient but not something I would necessarily seek on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 16:06:22 | More by Phyl21ca

laituegonflable

Australia

3.58/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a healthy umber colour, with some unfortunate chunks of unavoidable yeast. Beige head, nice and fluffy. Lace is pretty decent. Looks good.

Sour smell; pretty pungent. Bit of solventy goodness with licorice, unfermented cacao and a Chinese medicine shop as well. Oddly sweet, too, a funky mix.

Taste is really smoky upfront; about the only possible beer character I'm yet to get on this beer. Suffocated wood smoke, black pepper and juniper, with a touch of balsamic and fig on the back. Decidedly odd, not really accessible in some ways.

Pretty decent texture. Full, bitty, almost gritty, and somewhat dry on the back. Good.

Really extreme beer when it comes down to it. Funky, pungent, spicy and weird.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 05:03:48 | More by laituegonflable

Vroom

New York

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

03-17-2013 06:44:19 | More by Vroom

rumorsofsurf

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

03-10-2013 23:20:54 | More by rumorsofsurf

jsanford

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

03-07-2013 23:36:03 | More by jsanford

t0rin0

California

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

02-21-2013 02:50:49 | More by t0rin0

Immortale25

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

02-02-2013 22:08:51 | More by Immortale25

iKrystin

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

01-13-2013 21:25:59 | More by iKrystin

nafredet1

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

01-11-2013 04:50:39 | More by nafredet1

strongaf

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

12-08-2012 08:18:50 | More by strongaf

nickfl

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with two fingers of off white foam on top of a nearly opaque, black body. The head settles slowly and leave nice lacing on the glass.

S - Vanilla, pepper, mango, clove, and a touch of chocolate.

T - Dark sugar up front with notes of toffee and light molasses. Spicy notes of clove and black pepper I'm the middle with a finish of clove, mango, dark bread and a lingering mocha note.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - Nicely done, the roasted malt is just light enough to work with the strong yeast character. Lots of spice and fruit without becoming cloying or harsh.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 04:51:59 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: two finger head with excellent retention on a very deep brown amber body.

S: very nice full nose with belgian yeast, corriander, herbal hops, and peppercorn.

T: raisin, chocolate, belgian yeast, herbal hops, peppercorn, spices, and roasted malts

M: medium body and fairly high carbonation. semi dry, a little over carbonated even for the style

Overall: this is a very good dark saison. balances the saison belgian character with roasted/chocolate malt notes.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 04:50:39 | More by kylehay2004

djrn2

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

11-22-2012 19:46:41 | More by djrn2

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased from Belmont Station in Portland, OR. Shared with @LaitueGonflable and @tobeerornottobe.

Pours a pretty chunky brown colour, with plenty of yeast floaties. Head is frothy enough, and forms a bubbly mess of beige. Body is pretty light and fluid, but holds erratic fine carbonation. Not much in the way of lacing. It's solid enough, but I can't say it's enticing me with looks alone.

Nose is biting, herbal, slightly astringent and almost with a hint of smoke. Slightly minerally, almost chlorine character comes through, along with some hints of roast, and the antiseptic aroma of a hospital. This is so weird.

Taste blends that antiseptic bite with a really confusingly smooth and rich chocolate malt character, which gives a toasty depth to the palate. Astringency on the end tries to dry things out and create a bit of a pucker, but oddly the malt wins out, leaving a smooth and long finish of roast and toast. There's perhaps a slight boozy/peppery/antiseptic character at the very end, but it's disconnected somehow from the rest of the beer. Weird, weird stuff.

OK, I really like it, probably because it's so weird and so disconnected from the regular standard beers that you can find anywhere you go. But that doesn't mean I'm not confused and aggravated by it. Keep it up.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 03:59:23 | More by lacqueredmouse

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Gehrig13 for this long time want.

Pours very dark, sort of a dark, dark brown, almost black. A dark tan head adorns, dissipating to a slight foamy ring. Definitely the most roasty dakr saison I've had. Slightly burnt, with noticeable spice notes, yeasty esters. The taste has some sweetness up front, a hint of fruitiness, roasted malts with some sweet toast, spices and yeast esters. The carbonation is a bit nippy. Light to medium body.

Overall, it's quite enjoyable. Dark saisons are a unique thing and no two are alike, but this is a nice and more roasty iteration.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 23:11:02 | More by EgadBananas

YobroitsJoe

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

08-19-2012 22:57:29 | More by YobroitsJoe

M27

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.3%

08-11-2012 01:14:04 | More by M27