La Luz - Craftsman Brewing Co.

augustgarage

California

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes; on tap from Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood. Beer list had this at 7.2% ABV, and called it a "Belgian Style Golden Ale" rather than a Saison. It was served in a non-branded tulip glass.

Pale amber to golden poppy body with a bit of haze, topped by a thin but persistent and very creamy ivory head which left generous soapy legs.

Yeast (Brett. I think), light wheat, a little pepper, and a little citrus rind in the nose. Delicate but pleasant.

Yeast again on the palate, a little bitterness, a faint fruity hop flavor, malt (I would guess Pils, though it brings to mind certain aspects of American pale ale too), with a fast dry finish. Clean, refreshing, nothing particularly offensive or assertive.

Fairly light bodied, not quite creamy. Carbonation is lowish but still sufficient. Alcohol is slightly warming but subdued in flavor. A bit devilish.

This sits somewhere between a Belgian Golden Strong and a Saison, lacking the clarity of most examples of the former or the complexity or sophistication of most examples of the latter. It has some elements of a Blonde as well. Overall, a good Summer ale, and a nice, though rather generic take on Belgian ale.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2009 16:17:46 | More by augustgarage

Halcyondays

California

4.43/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a cloudy yellow, with a pillowy Belgian style head with great lace all around. Beautiful looking beer.

S: Herbal notes, light sage, good aromatics.

T: Strong notes of pear and herbs. There was a light cotton candy note which I thought was quite interesting. Grassy, rich earthy hop flavours, fantastic complex flavour.

M: Smooth, soft, light carbonation, medium-bodied.

D: This saison was great, one of the best I've ever had, and from a local brewer like Craftsman makes it that much more special. Loved this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2009 23:24:41 | More by Halcyondays

errantnight

California

3.55/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pouring at El Prado in Silverlake/Echo Park.

A Belgian-style Saison...

Pours a brilliant clear light gold with minimal head and lacing into a tulip. A bit clean looking for a saison, but pretty nonetheless.

Aroma is very spice and pepper forward, but delicate and restrained. Tons of bubble gum/juicy fruit aromas... but it's not terribly complex. The spice is a bit of nutmeg/clove behind a black pepper center.

The taste is more the same, but the spice is dialed back and a bit of pilsner malt comes through the middle. Properly dry, but it's missing an edge, a funk, a complexity. Seems more like a lightly spiced Belgian Golden Ale than a true Saison.

Mouthfeel is a bit crisp, lacking the smoothness or velvety texture I'm looking for in a Saison, or the delicate sparkling of others.

Totally fine, I'd drink another, just fails to really capture the spirit of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2009 22:03:13 | More by errantnight