Saison Noel - Oxbow Brewing Company

dasenebler

Maine

3.88/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Oxbow Saison Noel
12/31/12, draft

Not much head, dark ruby translucence. (3.5)

Aroma is slightly acetic, notes of cherry, ripe fruit, light smoke, a bit funky. (4.5)

Flavor is complex, good amount of malt, yet dry. Strange acidity, unrestrained yeast character, a bit soapy (Brett?). Tobacco, black cherry, date. Alcohol is warming, though not terribly detectable in flavor. A bit thin on the tongue, could use more carbonation too. (4, 3)

Complex, though not as malty as expected. Soapy yeast character is a bit strange. Not Oxbow's best offering, but still interesting and drinkable. (4)

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2013 23:54:38 | More by dasenebler

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

06-03-2013 04:53:43 | More by orangesol

DRBiser

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-16-2013 00:59:23 | More by DRBiser

Gatordaddy

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-08-2013 05:22:54 | More by Gatordaddy

YoungTeach

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.2%

04-14-2013 22:05:06 | More by YoungTeach

AngusOg

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

03-04-2013 18:28:06 | More by AngusOg

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

03-02-2013 20:08:43 | More by yourefragile

CypherEnigma

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.2%

02-19-2013 01:06:11 | More by CypherEnigma

mendvicdog

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

02-17-2013 16:02:40 | More by mendvicdog

ToasterChef

Maine

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

02-03-2013 01:16:49 | More by ToasterChef

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Churchkey. Served in a snifter. Pours a medium-dark brown with some crimson highlights. Short head and a collar throughout.

The nose has some like cherry and faint caramelized grain. Nose and flavor both have background spice and a nice dryness. A bit earthy, especially as it warms up.

Body is medium with relatively-soft carbonation, though appropriate for the beer. Light bitterness through the finish.

Overall, very well integrated and smoothly executed. I'd happily order another glass of this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 01:03:51 | More by Thorpe429

LostTraveler

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

01-19-2013 17:53:35 | More by LostTraveler

Snellgg5

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

01-04-2013 11:28:44 | More by Snellgg5

HiAIPA

Maine

3.55/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Obtained in growler form from the taproom. At 10% ABV, this is smooth and hides it well, but this years version is not as good as last years. This is amped up a notch and has lost some of the distinctive wheat flavor of last years recipe in the process, which to me is what made the beer so great last year. Still good, but I hope Oxbow revives last years recipe and keeps it each year without alteration, saving the experiments for the freestyle series. Having said all that, this is decent and Oxbow is a great place with great folks, and great beers overall.

Serving type: growler

12-30-2012 21:33:38 | More by HiAIPA

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

04-23-2012 00:17:19 | More by brewandbbq

valdieu2

Maine

4.3/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Ebenezers, so it was better than great. Very dark amber with a thick creamy head and much lacing My nose picked up dates, figs and anise, very pleasant. The taste was much the same as the nose but with a bitter hoppy after taste unlike most saisons.The mouth feel was very soft and pleasant. I would have this again. Another hit from Oxbow.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 22:24:21 | More by valdieu2

mikeale

Maine

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

04-11-2012 22:21:23 | More by mikeale

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -1.2%

02-29-2012 14:22:56 | More by ElGallo

redleaves

Maine

4.05/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Black, in a pint at when pigs fly pizzeria. Very dark fruit and tobacco on the nose. Almost had a Zinfandel nose. Easy drinking, dark fruit, tobacco, leather and a bit of bitter. Very dry, and dark for a saison. Definatly in the Christmas saison spirit. Dark malt, spice and a hop roundness. I liked it, wasn't my fav of the night, however interesting and damn worth a try. Oxbow seems up and coming and I see them here and there, but sure not everywhere.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2012 03:28:24 | More by redleaves