Celia Saison - The Alchemist

popery

California

3.26/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Pours a dark orange, brownish. Quite cloudy. Not much head kicked upon the initial pour, but I was able to kick some up with a few swirls. Small, dissipating head, beige in color - kinda yellow in an odd way. Not a ton of aroma. I'm picking up the orange peel. Some mildly gummy grain sweetness. The taste is rather clean for a gluten free beer, but there isn't much character. Quite dry which probably helps avoid the off notes I've noticed in other sorghum beers. The orange peel is probably the strongest flavor, though there's also some pepper to it. Touches of other spice as well, probably from the yeast. Mouthfeel is a touch gummy but better than almost any other gluten free that I've tried. This is decent but I expected more. I feel like the orange peel is covering flaws.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 00:14:02 | More by popery

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.11/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours light golden color, nice orange tint and basically clear, with a fairly thin head.

Smells of citrus zest, black pepper, yeast.

Taste is a little odd--zest and pepper again, something oddly tangy and just slight weird about the flavor. Definitely not bad, this is drinkable for sure, just kindof strange.

Mouthfeel good, very nice carb.

6.1/10

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 23:36:35 | More by AlexFields

mpedara429

Massachusetts

1.99/5  rDev -37.2%
look: 2 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

A: Poured out a hazy amber color, thin white head, no real retention or lacing to speak of.

S: Booze, bubble gum, clove/spices, and a funky musty scent.

T: Similar to the smell plus hints of orange and dirty gym socks.

M: A lighter body with medium to heavy carbonation. Sharp bitter bite after the beer goes down.

O: If I didn't know any better, I would think this beer was infected. Gym socks and bubble gum are off flavors in beer that are totally unfavorable. On the other hand, I'm perfectly capable of consuming gluten so this may be a treasure for those who are gluten intolerant.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 00:37:08 | More by mpedara429

mdfb79

New York

3.23/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

From 03/10/13 notes. Picked this up last week at City Swiggers in NYC for $2.89 based soley off the fact that it was from the Alchemist...didn't realize until I got home it was a gluten free beer. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my Duvel tulip.

a - Pours a hazy deep auburn orange color with one finger of off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of oranges, spice, coriander, spice, floral hops, and some light fruity malts. Nose is decent; lot of orange and lot of spice to it.

t - Tastes of spice, pepper, coriander, oranges, citrus, earthy notes, light vegetable, and light fruity malts. Not a big fan of the taste here; I can't put my finger on it but it is kind of weird. Not offensive, but not great. Big step down from the nose.

m - Medium body and high carbonation. A bit overcarbonated.

o - Overall I wasn't a big fan of this beer. Haven't had a lot of gluten-free beers that I've enjoyed, and this wasn't an exception, though I'd imagien it would be exciting to see a saison style that is gluten-free if you had a gluten allergy. Nose is decent but I didn't really like the taste and it was overcarbonated; while I love the Alchemist I'd skip this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 14:23:10 | More by mdfb79

DanH83

New York

2.6/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Gluten free beers are something I've sought only because my GF is gluten intolerant. Once in a while it's nice to cheers beers!

Anyway, this was okay, a little thin and uninteresting. So far, nothing that's Gluten Free can match Tweason'ale. I'll keep searching, but this Saison won't be the go-to for her.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 22:11:06 | More by DanH83

rlee1390

Indiana

3.66/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear bright orange, not much carbonation or head.

S-Lots of sorghum, or at least what I assume to be sorghum. The orange peel is there as well.

T-Starts with sorghum? Also has a good deal of citrus fruit flavors, like orange and lemon. No bitterness.

M- Light, not much carbonation.

O-The best of two gluten free beers I've had. Shared with someone who is gluten free and he said it was the best he's had.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 16:41:40 | More by rlee1390

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Appearance: A slight haze on a dull gold. Head is fizzy, bright-white, and drops to a small cap in short order. Solid carbonation with minimal lacing.

Smell: Loaded with orange peel. Backing spiciness from the sorghum pushes something distinct. Vaguely herbal with some lemon and mild backing grassiness. Citrus. Malts are light and bright. Vague notes of peppery spiciness. Almost Belgian in its approach. Hugely floral. So very odd, but not necessarily in a bad way.

Taste: Typical saison yeast hits on barnyard funk with a big push toward damp hay. A solid punch of earthiness and oily orange zest. Pale malts add a touch of sweetness. Some underlying peppery notes. So very floral. Almost like pineapple at times. Apple, pear, and some raw honey. Belgian yeast hits big notes of bubblegum and clove with seriously ripe banana. A bit aggressive.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a solid, yet not intense, carbonation. Relatively smooth. A touch of lingering dry bitterness.

Overall: A Vermont-made saison named after a woman? Perhaps we should leave that to Hill Farmstead.

Overall it's not terrible, but it's oddly fruity and floral. The Belgian yeast compliments the unique flavor of sorghum, but it doesn't quite work in the long run. Spice levels are nice but a bit confused.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 20:44:13 | More by Goblinmunkey7

brewtus

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from the brewery poured into dogfish tulip glass

A-pours light copper with a bubbly white head
S- big Belgian yeast, banana, a little orange
T/M- slightly dry from start to finish, I get Belgian yeast, licorice, a little orange zest, ironically tastes a little bready, finishes little sour. After a few sips I get a little tomato flavor. Mouthfeel is as expected for the style.
O- yeah this isn't a greatest beer but it beats drinking cider all the time for those who can't drink gluten. It could use more orange flavor to balance out the bitterness. I'm glad to see a gluten free offering and I'm glad I got to try it. I don't think it's fair to compare this to HT and if I couldn't drink gluten I'd be even more excited to see this.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 02:41:56 | More by brewtus

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.08/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz, Winter 2012
Heady Topper stemless

A: Slightly hazy, but mostly clear pale orange color. Didn't get tons of head. Thin layer of bright white bubbles. Seems like there is some carbonation.

S: Strange chalk like smell on nose, sourgum maybe. Then I get the Belgian yeast and orange peel there.

T: Sourgum is strange. Doesn't really taste like a Saison to me at all. Get some off flavor right away. Then some spice from the Belgian yeast. There is some orange there. Dry finish.

M: Medium bodied.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 14:23:06 | More by inlimbo77

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.28/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from dope (thanks man!) split into tasting glasses with the wife.

A: Hazed gold with some minimal creamy head that recedes quickly.

S: Dry estery Belgian yeast. Floral, herbal, earthy, spice...black pepper? Orange peel, hint of banana. Soapy character turns phenolic...definite medicinal bite.

T: Follows the nose; crisp bready malt and yeasty tones. Herbal spices, black pepper. Unique floral spice...lavender? Sage? Its almost soapy in a way.

MF: Lighter medium body with a dry finish.

O: Not that great IMO. Compared to other GF offerings this seems to be a decent stab. That floral/soapy component is a bit off-putting to me, but whatever it is seems to fit in the Farmhouse Ale-style of brews.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 16:35:40 | More by Scotchboy

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Celia pours a flat, cloudy hazy honey amber with a small fizzy white head on top. The foam disappears quickly leaving no lace behind.

The aroma is very spicy. Notes of pepper, clove and bubblegum. A touch of orange and lemon citrus is also present. The aroma fades after the first few sips.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is somewhat creamy with moderate carbonation. The flavor is spicy with a balance of malt sweetness. Pepper, coriander and orange peel are balanced with bubblegum and some bready malt. It finishes sweet with lingering pepper when gone.

Not the best saison I've ever had, but a great beer made without barley. Lots of flavor and fairly well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 22:28:54 | More by WanderingFool

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-slightly hazy amber color with a decent white head and some lacing

S-citrus, earthy, spices

T-citrus, earthy, grassy, sour, astringent and somewhat off aftertaste, can't quite place the off taste

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp but with the astringency noted above

O-not a great Saison, just not the flavor profile one would expect, especially from The Alchemist

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 17:38:23 | More by MDDMD

smcolw

Massachusetts

2.53/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Decent starting head. Some spots on the glass. Cloudy gold color.

White pepper and plastic smells. Reminds me of Creepy Crawlers.

Medicinal and plasticy taste--a clear miss. Behind this are the typical Saison flavor of astringent malt and hop bitterness. Good, lasting aftertaste of bitterness from the hop finish. Respectable body with a mildly elevated level of carbonation. Overall, I can't get over the plastic.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 20:48:51 | More by smcolw

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Clear pale amber body with a frothy finger of white head that settles into a nice cap and leaves some light lace. Pretty.

S: Hugely phenolic, dry, citrusy Saison yeast - definitely reminds me of the Wyeast French Saison strain that I've used for homebrew in the past. Intense and enjoyable.

T: Spicy, medicinal, dry yeastiness dominates, with a bit of mildly sweet sorghum underneath. A little muddled, but really great for being gluten free.

M: A little thin, moderately carbonated. All right.

O: By far the best gluten free beer I've ever had, but that's really not saying a whole lot. It's not a Saison that I'll be seeking out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 03:03:14 | More by woosterbill

RyanLigeia

Massachusetts

2.78/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy golden color. Lowish level of visible carbonation. Around a finger of head. I was expecting more head because after i popped the cap off foam started to slowly rise out of the bottle. Looks decent.

As far as the smell goes, Im getting belgian yeast before anything. Or at least some sort of belgian aspect. A slight sour smell, not sure if that was intentional. A hint of caramel maltyness. Lemon/orange citrus scents, faint grassy hops, slight peppery spice.

Tastes lemony, bitter orange peel, peppery,yeasty. Acidic. Apparent alcohol. Way more sour than I would have liked.

Mouthfeel is interesting. It has a strange "coating" characteristic. Sort of feels like it leaves an oily film behind. I woudnt mind that at all if it didnt leave the sourness along with it. Moderate carbonation. Slight grapefruit-like bitterness.

Overall this beer is...interesting. I haven't tried too many other gluten free beers, nm gluten free saisons, so its hard to judge without much to compare it to. I wasn't too impressed. Maybe not the best choice for my first beer by The Alchemist. Its definitely an interesting style to try and pull off though, so I'll be giving them another shot with an open mind.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 17:08:50 | More by RyanLigeia

metter98

New York

3.18/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: The beer is hazy golden yellow in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head that gradually died down, leaving lacing on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of orange peel in the nose.
T: The taste has a mixture of sorghum and orange peels along with some hints of medicinal flavors and faint bits of spices.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. There is no dryness.
O: This beer has some off flavors but at least the orange peels help to mask some of them.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 02:52:36 | More by metter98

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip glass. Color was a slightly hazy golden with a white 1 finger head. A few minutes in the head was down to a thin layer that clung a bit to the sides. Visible yeast at the bottom of the bottle. Aroma was heavy on the yeast, and was slightly sweet floral. Flavor was very upfront. A bit of tangy floral with a tad of sour in the back. Over time the sour seemed to linger in the mouth. Coated reasonably well, perhaps too well from the sour that was left lingering. A bit of strange feeling in the mouth. Overall a bit off from the sour, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 23:21:03 | More by mountdew1

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a lightly hazy medium golden yellow in color with some orange highlights and moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a half finger tall fizzy white head that quickly reduces to a very small thin patch, a very thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of coriander, orange peel, sugary sweetness, alcohol, and some very light grassy hops.

T: Upfront there is a fairly strong flavor of peppery spices followed by the taste of coriander and orange peel, giving it a moderate amount of bitterness. Slightly medicinal.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Light to moderate amounts of chalky dryness in the finish.

O: Definitely one of the best gluten-free beers that I have tried but unfortunately as a saison fan I was a little disappointed in this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 00:15:40 | More by dbrauneis

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

First had: bottle from the Alchemist

Poured into a Heady Topper stemless snifter, a darker amber color, fairly hazy, with a rocky off-white head that retained well and left some lacing on the glass. Bready malts and lots of funk in the nose, lesser notes of citrus rind and floral hops. Taste of funky wet hay, earth, cardboard, cobwebs, hints of old orange peel, pith and all, imparting a lasting bitterness. Stale and astringent, and not very good overall. Body was about medium, carbonation moderate. Seemed like a beer past its prime, though I got it straight from the brewery and it was in my fridge for just a couple weeks, so...I don't know. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 20:25:39 | More by Rifugium

vfgccp

New York

2.4/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A - Poor head with low retention and lace. Hazy orange gold body.

S - Lightly floral, honey, Smarties candy, tangerine, honeydew melon, just the faintest hint of sour.

T - Oh man, something is reeeally off on the back end of this. Rancid bacteria just absolutely wipes out everything else in the profile.

M - Medium body. Really low carbonation for the style.

O - Given the quality of the brewer I'd be willing to give this another shot in the future, but man... this bottle was really, really off.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 23:13:40 | More by vfgccp

Amalak

New York

3.73/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A. Bronze color, completely opaque, with a big bubbly white head, and some lacing.

S. Very rich wheat scent...for a gluten free beer. Sweet.

T. Very nice and smooth, with a good lemony and wheat tingle. Some passion fruit taste to it.

M. It's carbonated, with a sourish aftertaste.

O. Not too bold or tart.Flavorful and refreshing. Surprisingly good for a gluten free beer. In a one off it is good.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 17:21:18 | More by Amalak

davey101

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'll preface this by saying that I have tried quite a few gluten free beers on the market. Green's, Bards, Red Bridge, New Planet, T'weason'ale, New Grist, Daura, etc. This is the best one I have tried hands down. As a gluten free beer its excellent. As a saison...well....its average.

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Contract brewed in Ipswich, MA. Fancy! The label is lacking the words "Gluten Free" as well as the required nutritional facts.

A - Hazy burnt orange body with a very thin edging of bone-white foam. Lacing is on the thin side. The head is almost non-existent, but the beer itself looks amazing.

S - An odd, but somewhat pleasant aroma that is also hard to describe. It smells almost wheaty, but there obviously isn't any grain in here. Its somewhat grassy and sweet, almost syrupy. Finishes lightly spicy with a touch of dried orange peel.

T - Very neutral. The strong sorghum spice that I normally associate with gluten free beers is missing. Instead its a boring take on a saison. Sweet grass, light coriander, black pepper and orange peel. Finish is cereal like. Its tasty though. Mouth feel is probably a bit on the thin side but its very well carbonated. Drinkability is high.

O - Well it certainly can't compete with a beer like Fantome, but when compared against other gluten free beers its a clear winner. The sorghum is barely present and it has a nice and refreshing flavor with some light spice and sweetness. Very well made beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 02:43:35 | More by davey101

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Celia opens with a lovely Saison aroma, full of musty fruits, breads, and spices. Especially noticeable are the pineapple, banana, and cherry fruit esters, backed by lighter touches of orange and peach, and the floury rye bread toast crust, which adds a layer of pepper and earthy dough. There is, however, still a strong remnant of the sorghum used to make gluten-free beers, adding an acrid-sweet burnt sugar and molasses overtone to everything, which doesn’t mingle very well with the sweet esters and lovely breads, and in fact comes across smelling slightly like bicycle inner tube. As a whole, the Saison aromas in here are lovely, and perfect for the style but the sorghum doesn’t quite mix, providing a strange and slightly off-putting counter.

On the tongue, the beer presents much the same problem. The Saison aromas are full and lovely, with musty pineapple, cherry, and banana notes mixing with floury bread dough, and bits of sour apple cider floating through everything and mingling with pink grapefruit and touches of pine resin. But again, the sorghum adds an acrid-sweet burnt sugar and molasses layer that makes it seem like the mash was somehow overcooked, much the way slightly-burnt garlic still tastes like garlic, but also like charcoal and ash. The effect does slightly meld with the sour and musty Saison notes, but not completely, and the result is strange. The aftertaste is a continuation of these main notes, with slightly less emphasis on the sorghum, and lingers for a good while on the tongue. Mouthfeel is medium-light to medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, and recognizing that this is a problem I have with all sorghum-based beers, I found the sorghum flavors simply too overwhelming, and not able to blend well with the other textures. Having said that, Celia does qualify as one of the more flavorful and enjoyable of the gluten-free beers I’ve had, and I can see why it won a gold medal in its category. But for someone who doesn’t regularly encounter sorghum flavors in beer, the result is still strange and overly reminiscent of burnt sugar.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 20:39:47 | More by jondeelee

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

1.43/5  rDev -54.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Sorry but this was horrid, and it's not that I've never had a gluten free beer before either. Poured a half inch off-white soap suds head which faded fast. The body is a hazy apple cider color with no effervescence left in it. It smells weird, hard to describe, yet I do smell the citrus and spice. The taste is heavy on the spice, which I guess I understand considering without the spice it's a weird sour unpleasant taste, but really this comes across kind of like one of those overspiced pumpkin beers (without the pumpkin of course). Long finish but not of a taste I wanted to stick around. 90% of this bottle got poured down the drain. I guess I should just feel lucky I don't have celiac disease. But then again I've had gluten free beers I did think were OK.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 10:56:31 | More by MoreThanWine

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.15/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into my New Belgium globe. Pours an orangey haze with lots of bubbley head. Belgian dry yeast aromas, but very veg like...its unique but weird and not in a good way. Taste is very dry and vegteble like..I taste tomato, herbs, some hops, but mostly veg...its the V8 of beer for me. Its way overly carbonated, champagne like with no real body. Overall, its probably one of the worst saisons I ever had, but I guess its unique and good to expand on the gluten free category...just not sure why they chose to go from Heady to this....

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 00:44:29 | More by DrinkSlurm