Saison Sayuri - Baird Brewing Company / Fishmarket Taproom

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Baird's Nakameguro location in Tokyo, Japan.

On the menu this is identified as 'Baird Saison Sayuri - 2009', but I'm not sure how it differs from previous versions. Regardless, of all the Baird beers I've come across, this one is one of the best (and would be the best were it not for the heavenly Divine Vamp 3 served at Popeye's). Listed as 5.6%.

Clouded gold pour with a frothy white head that fades to a thick film, but leaves some fingers of lace on the way down. The nose is very Belgian, with its spicy yeastiness and hints of banana mixing with garden aromas of flowers and herbs. Limited funk, which makes this quite vibrant and bright for a saison.

My first sip reveals an outstanding flavour which could be placed alongside the better examples of the style. At first its the citrus that makes a big impression. Apparently this beer uses rinds of the Shizuoka Daidai fruit, which is a kind of sour orange, and it lends a wonderful bouquet that hits the top of the palate at the beginning of the sip. After a brief moment, though, other flavours start to assert themselves. A glorious earthiness underpins everything, and acts as a background to the funk, leather, cider and marmalade flavours which high five the tastebuds. There's even a eyeopening mix of lime and strawberry floating around, which adds yet more complexity. The body is fairly light with a spritzy carbonation, and manages to be paradoxically drying and quenching at the same time.

This is really an excellently made saison, and one of the better Japanese beers I've come across. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2009 15:15:42 | More by bobsy

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.51/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours amber with a small, white head.
Nose shows funky saison yeast, light fruit, banana, and sweet clean malt. Subtle.
Light fruity flavour with a fair bit of sweetness following. Dries out a bit in the finish.
Carbonation really could be higher.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 08:43:36 | More by CrazyDavros

heygeebee

Australia

1.58/5  rDev -56.2%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

From Jim's Cellars. No BB.

Before I had written this, Mrs heygeebee chirped up, 'it doesn't have a smell and it doesn't have a taste'.

Oh dear, not good bode of things to come, but as usual, Good Lady Wife is in fact correct :-(...

Looks ok - hazy straw body, fluffy one finger head that dies to leave no real lace.

Hint of earthy aromas, hint of lemon.

Taste is the same, but really could almost be macro lager. Bready, doughy, helles-like .

Carbonation is way too light. Watery body.

Bad bottle. Had only just hit shop, so let's not point the finger there... Given the price point, have taken 1 off.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 10:17:28 | More by heygeebee

dgilks

Australia

4.08/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy dark straw colour with a smooth yet short lasted offwhite head. Mild lacing.

Dank, musty lemony aroma with some light herbal notes. Nice light tartness and a hint of malt. Good spice. A nice Japanese Saison with all the greatness that Sorachi Ace brings to the style.

Light, crisp malt with earthy and lemony hop notes. Plenty of spice and some musty notes. Quite nice.

Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. Good.

A delightful little saison packed full of flavour and the curious notes that Sorachi Ace add to these types of beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 10:10:50 | More by dgilks