Cranberry Saison - Haymarket Pub & Brewery

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.76/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Served in a goblet at the brewpub.

I know when I think saisons, I think cranberries... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear midnight ruby-brown topped by a finger of pinkish off-white foam. The nose comprises earthy cranberry, light earthy greens, and a pinch of clove. The taste brings in more of the same, with the cranberries coming through a touch tarter and with an added bonus of mild red wine grapes. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a surprisingly solid fruited saison, though the "saison" part of things seems ignored in favor of full-on cran-action. I mean, the end product is still pretty tasty, but it's decidedly one-dimensional for the style. Just sayin'...

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2013 01:53:12 | More by TMoney2591

fastenoughforphish

Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Had in a bar but appeared nice reddish pink. 2 finger white head.

Smell: Smelled pretty yeasty, with a touch of funk and tart berry. Not too much going on here.

Taste: Wow. Tart cranberry, tannic a bot sour. Just a perfect level of tart. Background is your saison funk and spice, but this is layered under the tart cranberry. Awesome.

Mouthfeel: nice heavy carbonation. Normal for this style.

Overall: Nothing special until I took a sip. Loved the taste of this beer a wonderful balance. Drinks like a fruit beer more than a saison but great and unique version of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2013 03:43:38 | More by fastenoughforphish

MasterSki

Illinois

4.19/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On-tap at Haymarket. Multiple 4oz tasters consumed.

A - Creamy pink foam settles to a thin cap and thicker collar, leaving behind splotchy lace. Transparent pink-red body; odd that this style of beer is filtered.

S - Tons of cranberry, with hints of phenolic farmhouse yeast, lemon, and hand lotion.

T - The taste is even more heavy on the cranberry,with the spicy farmhouse yeast barely making an appearance. Tart, tangy, and refreshing, with light notes of lemon and pale malt to support the fruit juice addition.

M - Tannic and dry, medium-light body, but with a sticky, juice-like, residual feel. Pleasant carbonation, and no alcohol presence at all.

D - I liked this quite a bit. It's more of a fruit beer than a Saison, but the base supports the fruit flavors quite well and succeeds through its unobtrusiveness. Would gladly drink this again, although it seems like more of a summer beer to me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2013 18:17:30 | More by MasterSki