Saison-Brett - Boulevard Brewing Co.

GonzoHomebrewer

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2011, consumed a few nights ago.

A- Looks great, golden with some haze, but that is to be expected with dry hopping, frothy white head with some nice lacing on the glass

S- Surprised but I can still pick out some hop aroma in here in addition to obvious brett notes of funk, which seems to blend with the hop aroma and is reminiscent of pineapple juice kept in a barn? Best I can come up with, crazy how the hops and brett are mingling though

T- More of the same, honestly did not expect to pick out much of the hops still, but they are definitely there. I have had an '09 that had 3 years on it and it was too much; no hops at all and brett was very one noted of just this farmhouse funk. This is much better, 2 years seems to be the limit to being able to still have some hop quality

M- prickly fresh carbonation, makes for a quick sipper

O- Great beer, if you have some '11 Saison-Brett laying around, open and consume. I've had this beer with more age on it and it does absolutely nothing for it. Looking forward to opening the '12 I have in the coming to days to see what I prefer.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 23:27:31 | More by GonzoHomebrewer

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.6/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

2012 Vintage

L: Bright gold, fairly clear, with a huge soapy white head. Carbonation causes little particles to swirl around like yeast flocks in a glass fermenter. Incredible lacing.

A: Big, funky brett notes, very fresh and earthy, as well as some fruity alcohol and zesty citrus hop notes with spicy and herbal complexities. Subtle breadiness from malt and yeast.

T/M: Soft bitterness upfront that roles into a blend of earthy brettanomyces and zesty citrus, herbal, slightly spicy hop flavor. Fruity yeast notes and a dry, bready, pilsnery malt backbone round this one out, combining to give an apple like character. The mouthfeel is thin with a slick texture, and the finish is bone-dry. The high abv is incredibly well masked.

Overall, an amazing Saison. Not just a great showcase of what brettanomyces can do, but an incredible balance and blend of ingredients by the brewer. The complexity is incredible, and all the flavors perform perfectly. I can not recommend this one enough, about the best Saison most states have the honor of receiving.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:09:46 | More by Siriusfisherman

deltatauhobbit

Maine

4.11/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 2012
Bottle #5650
Best by February 2014

Pours a golden color with a large bubbly white head, big bubbles, fades fast but actually takes awhile because of the amount of head, only the smallest bits of lacing on the glass.

Smell has a nice funky aroma, hop presence has been muted with the Brett character taking more of a leading role, touch of light fruit and candied sugar.

Taste starts out with a light citrus flavor and builds upon a layer of funk, neither of which is overpowering but nicely balanced, candied sugar adds a touch of sweetness, hop presence is non-existent, carbonation is very light, active and explode in the mouth much like a champagne, finishes slightly dry, alcohol is very well hidden, I would think this closer to a 5% beer except I'm starting to feel it on an empty stomach.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 21:01:00 | More by deltatauhobbit

theruckus33

Kansas

2.89/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.75

A: Sudsy white billowy foam with a about half a finger head. Bubbles stick to the glass in nice globs. The body is a dark straw, with a subtle a slight orange hue. Effervescent, super bubbly, with lots of globules floaters - a bit intimidating.

S: Hints of oak, coriander, slight white wine - perhaps a bit of grapefruit or other citrus notes. A bit of medicinal "funk" almost like an antiseptic smell - not bad.

T: Funky, in all the right ways, subtle hop characteristic lends the bitter notes that play with the funk. Those wine notes are really starting to come to the forefront.

M: Light, beer lingers on the palate but not sure if that is what I am hoping for.

O: A bit underwhelming, perhaps my expectations were too high.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 00:56:51 | More by theruckus33

craft_shannie

Indiana

4.19/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

batch 2012-2. took a bit of time to pour an almost full glass - 4 finger plus off-white frothy & tight bubble head, with soap-like clumps of lacing. hazy straw color w. suspended yeast. smell is tart apple skin and white pepper. taste is a bit restrained - definitely has room for more funk. taste is smooth, crisp pepper spice, w. bit of a green apple/citrus, w. woody/earthy quality. finishes wicked dry.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 18:00:31 | More by craft_shannie

tectactoe

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Huge thanks to Mike for splitting this with me to break up some of the monotony of a mini-BCS tasting (hah!). Been on the "wants" list for a while now. Pours a heavily cloudy, almost completely opaque golden-yellow color with little bits of sediment raging about. The head is enormous - foamy, thick, and chunky, leaving fat patches of lacing huddled around the entire circumference of the glass.

I may have been ever so slightly inebriated at the time, but the first line in my notes for the aroma simply says, "...goddamn ridiculous amounts of Brett, funk, and barnyard..." and there really is no surprise there, given the name. Lots of soft bubblegum aromas, hay, wet wood; probably one of the funkiest things I've smelled. However, one of the beautiful things about this beer is that the Brett is still contempt in all of its power, and balanced by a nice inclusion of some light lemon and citrus zest and well as an earthy and grassy hop blanket. Spicy and funky, out of this world.

Much like the aroma, the taste is funkadelic as well. Plenty of barnyard and "horseblanket" flavors about, including lots of damp cellar, cork, and wood notes. Yeast resides in every corner with lots of clove and kitchen spices to it. Earthy, grassy, and herbal hops ride in and out on a wave of lightly toasted, bready malts. The hops seem to also carry a mild, white pepper flavor to them. Splashes of citrus peel and mildly tart lemon zest work the palate a bit, keeping things fresh. Awesome combination of fruity sweetness, earthy harshness, yeasty funkness, and and saison spiciness. The finish is ultra dry, as expected - medium bodied with ample carbonation.

Wow, I was expecting good things from this one and it certainly delivered. A funk-lover's wet dream in beer form. Despite the unadulterated amounts of funk, it never seems too harsh or too out of balance thanks to the numerous other flavor contributors. All-in-all, a very nicely crafted and well put together beer. Bravo.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 20:15:16 | More by tectactoe

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

The beer pours with a very aggressive and massive head which has me thinking that the brett has been busy in this beer. The head is slightly off white and made up of a gradient of bubbles going from small to large and creating a creamy crown that stretches above the lip of the glass. The head also takes forever to calm down in the glass, which makes drinking the beer a bit difficult. The head leaves a lacing of large soapy bubbles on the sides of the glass, leaving a roadway of lacing moving across the glass. In color, the beer pours a pale golden yellow to straw yellow with a maelstrom of bubbles whirling around and feeding the massive head. The beer’s body actually looks stunningly clean and clear, with only the slightest hint of a yeast haze. On the nose, the beer smells of hay and sweet funk with bits of pineapple citrus and slight sweaty horse. This beer smells bretty and beautiful with nice grassy spice notes and hay-like character. On the tongue, the beer tastes of spicy funk and bitter, chalky grass with bites of acidic citrus. The flavors begin as spicy malt, moving quickly into grassy bitter notes with splashes of funky pineapple with touches of chalky bitter flavors and big hay-like hops. A slight sweet caramel malt sits beneath everything, and the finish alcoholic pineapple across the palate. The aftertaste rings with slight citrus funk and touches of hay. In the mouth the beer feels medium in body with some thickening of the palate. The carbonation is rich and creamy on the tongue and helps to keep the sweet funk in check. The mouth is left with acid-neutralizing spittle swimming on the tongue and a slight dryness from the grassy bitters. Overall, this is a lovely, funky, complex saison with some nice weird characters. The alcoholic finish is the only complaint I have with this beer. This is a superb saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:03:26 | More by Maxwell

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.34/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle opened on 4.11.13
Bottle 11351
Batch 2011-2
Best By 03-2013

A - Pours a hazy medium orange with a huge foamy-cream colored head with good retention and lots of lacing.

S - Bretty, funky, hoppy. Very welcoming.

T - Brett, hops, grass, citrus, all on some funk.

D - Tons of carbonation with a light body.

O - Hoppy and Brett on a great saison, Terrific beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 04:12:01 | More by HuskyinPDX

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Served from a 750ml bottle into an Allagash chalice. Vintage 2012. Bottle 9579.

Appearance- Clear gold with tons of carbonation. 3 finger fluffy white head with a fingers worth sticking out over the rim. The little bit of head that has gone, has left some insane lacing around the glass.

Smell- Intoxicating aromas of apple cider, tart apple skins with brett mustiness, funky Meyer lemon, and an indescribable wild ale element that reminds me of Resurgum.

Taste- Musty floral flavors and funky yeast with some intense grape notes. The mild tang of Brett mixed with the light booze and woody characteristics is a great combo.

Mouthfeel- Very carbonated and smooth. Finishes crisp and dry.

Overall- Incredible smell and look to this beer, but unfortunately I wanted a slightly more tartness to it and a bit more brett character to it. I will have no problem finishing this bottle though.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 16:46:42 | More by Seanniek91

cvm4

Mississippi

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2012 release.

A - Pours golden straw in color, slightly hazy with a white 2 finger head.

S - Light melon, hay, Brett to the extreme & some floral notes.

T - Lemon, funky, belgian yeast and light spices.

M - Lighter body, high carbonation.

O - The best of the best when it comes to this style. Saison qualities with the Brett funkyness makes for a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 21:01:02 | More by cvm4

dasenebler

Maine

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Boulevard Saison-Brett
3/27/13
750mL, 2012 release.

Pretty clear straw-gold, though the second pour had some floaties. Big, eggshell-white head, great retention. (4)

Aroma is pleasant with plenty of hops, though not quite what I expected for a dry-hopped Saison. Granted, this was probably bottled about a year ago. Good amount of other complexities: slight funk, though mainly Belgian ester/phenol character. Rustic. (4)

Initially there's a honey-like sweetness and biscuity malt flavor, but this disappears quickly amid a brisk finish. Now I'm starting to get the Brett– hay, earth, sweat, wood and that tongue-stripping dryness. Alcohol is apparent, but man, this stuff is easy to drink. Fruity hop flavor complements the pear-like esters, while the spiciness of heavier hop oils works off of the spicy Belgo-phenols. Bitterness is spot-on. I'd like to reiterate the dryness of this beer: other US brewers of Belgian styles, take note! Wonderfully high carbonation level adds to the refreshment and makes the aroma and brighter flavors pop. (4.5, 4.5)

Nice Saison. Hoppier than most classics for the style, but still has many of the other components that put it right in the wheelhouse of the genre. Brett character is relatively restrained, which is nice. If I find this stuff again on the East Coast I'll be sure to drink it fresher to see what it's like. This year-old bottle treated me pretty damn well. (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 23:59:26 | More by dasenebler

WunderLlama

Massachusetts

4.41/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into a pilsener glass

Mazy, hazy opaque and golden with swirling carbonation. Thick, white clouds of frothy foam filled the glass. Looked beautiful.

Clean and crisp , smelled and tasted delicious.nice finish, light to medium mouthfeel.

Definitely worth repeating.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 00:10:21 | More by WunderLlama

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to foofaa aka Dan for sharing this with me, enjoyed chilled from a tulip out of a 750ml corked and caged bottle.

The beer nearly filled the glass with white foam but in minutes settles to a fluffy marshmallow top on the golden hazed liquied with tight bead and sticky lace. The smell is very nice with slight apple and tropical odors with some hop citrus accents and light sweet malt elements which bring out the brett qualities even more. I like the way the feel is highly carbonated if you hold it in your mouth but has a scrubbing effect also with nice tanginess and slight bitterness from the hops with dry, not too heavy on the finish.

This is a decent saision, it has many facets with some brett giving the tropcial fruit and subtle spice alongside some malt which is toasted but lightly sweet with some nice hop bitterness to keep it balanced and somehat spicy as the malt recedes and the carbonation settles you get a light yeast flavor in the dry finish. Overall this was a beer I have been wanting to try, Thanks Dan this was an unexpected treat. I like the drinkability I could have probably drank the whole bottle myself. If you are a fan of saison or brett I recommend this.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 11:30:18 | More by Slatetank

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4.84/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

bomber served in the smokestack series glass

this beer is incredible..from the impressive head retention, to the smooth carbonation, to the light effervesent feel of it, it is top notch 100%...it starts delicious and keeps on getting better and better..even the left over "floaters" in the brew give it an extra boost of flavor...great find

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 04:05:22 | More by alex_hart

owend

New Hampshire

4.15/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A) four finger off-white head over a hazy golden body. Well carbonated, but less so than the forceful pop upon opening would suggest

S) juicy melon and brett mingle very nicely, with a hint of spiciness as well

T) mild brett flavor, with nice melon flavors the give way to a mildly spicy and dry finish. Personally I always hope for more pronounced funk, but a very fine balance nonetheless

M) medium bodied with a dry crisp finish

O) A very pleasing, complex saison. This is a refreshing sipper that would be perfect on a warm summer day. This would be a great introduction to brett

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 17:29:29 | More by owend

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I was very impressed with this beer. I need another bottle to refine my review. I am so far very impressed but a little cautious. Yes 4.5 was cautious. LOL

An excellent look and head set on top of this classic saison look.

Wild aromatic aromas emit from the top of the glass. Wondrous strong almost perfume strength bright smells. I taste the classic peel in this beer and a number of incredibly lovely flavors merge for an American accomplishment in masterful brewing. Almost a spiritual elixir.

As compared to Hennepin, the saison of all - time, Brett is a very different animal. Brett hits you with a strong coriander and huge clove flavors while Hennepin is more sweet and orangy with light spices some good malt a little hop. Brett has a nice balance of hops so it makes for a hot day's thirst quencher.

Nice texture to this beer. A bit fizzy for me.. but very drinkable. Brett is a special beer ... a must try.

This beer drinks well to ambient sounds of the group Oregon "Out of the Woods" or Deuter's Reiki: Hands Of Light .

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 03:43:18 | More by frankiepop

gueuzedreg

Colorado

4.41/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

If you have had the Tank 7 and like Brett, grab this! This beer seems like it could use a few years on it. Great taste, but needs aging to make it even better. Great smell, ditto. Very happy with what I paid for this. Have four in the cellar for a few years. Get it if you can.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 02:54:17 | More by gueuzedreg

isaiahcutright

Oklahoma

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A 2011 vintage been holding on to this one for some time.

Appearance: pours a hazy orange with a thick 3 finger pale white head.

Smell: horse blanket, citrus, Brett all over this one, some floral notes, sweaty

Taste: bready yeast notes, clove like flavor, a touch of earthy musksy, citrus, horse blanket brett, nicely balanced by the alcohol, spicy yeasty finish

Mouthfeel: Dry, a nice brett flavor on the tongue, medium bodied.

Overall: a very solid brew that any one could enjoy. Keep them coming.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 02:16:55 | More by isaiahcutright

Homebrew35

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a hazy straw colored body with a fluffy white head. Lots of clingy fairly tight bubbles.

Smells quite a bit of lemony, tropical fruit, wet hay and a touch of funk.
Some sweetness and yeast esters.

Tastes like a dry, lemony, funky, tropical fruity Belgian saison. A bit of typical metallic notes on the finish, not exactly a flaw but you get this in quite a few belgians styled beers.

Medium dry, highly carbonated and sprity feeling.

Overall this is a great beer. I feel this is made in the old part of the factory. The massive large factory section may have made the non-bretted saison and my take on that beer was that it is quite different in taste and overall flavors. This bretted version is very good. I recommend this to anyone into saisons in general.
$11 750ml

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 23:22:11 | More by Homebrew35

jsanford

Georgia

3.94/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

2011 vintage.

Pours a cloudy gold with a big, fluffy white head that settles to a thick cap, leaving a coat of soapy lacing clinging to the glass. Definitely Brett-heavy in the nose, got some plastic, citrus, dry funk, and pineapple in here, along with some crisp grain. Taste is similarly funky, more "plastic-y" notes, along with mild orange peel and pineapple, and earthy Brett. Mouthfeel is light and moderately crisp, with a touch under medium body, nicely scrubbing carbonation, and a bone-dry finish. Really standout Saison, I won't sit on it so long next time.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 23:23:56 | More by jsanford

alexipa

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'm a huge fan of Tank 7 so I know Boulevard does the saison style right. Excited for this one.

A: Beautiful straw yellow, crystal clear, thick pillow of a white head.

S: NAILED this. Smells like a freaking barn! Some citrus notes and some light malts are discernible as well. Exceedingly complex.

T: Spice hits me first- pepper and others I can't quite pin down. Some apple, possibly pineapple, lots of citrus, and a great malty back bone. Throughout this a fantastic funky farmhouse taste was present.

M: Full bodied and creamy, very low carbonation. It could have been a little more carbonated to be perfect. Still a great creaminess was achieved, which allows all of the flavors to really shine. ABV is hidden perfectly.

O: Just an excellent, complex saison. Would not be out of place during a fine dinner, or out in the backyard on a lawnmower. I would have liked a bit more carbonation to lighten it up, but I appreciated the complexity from every sense.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 04:38:42 | More by alexipa

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Saison Brett pours a cloudy honey amber with a fluffy white head on top. The foam dissolves slowly to a thick sheet on the surface. A good amount of netted lace clings to the glass. Some particles are floating in the beer. I guess I should have left a little in the bottle.

The aroma has notes lemon rind, a touch of pepper and a light fruit tartness.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is very soft, a bit creamy with light effervescent carbonation. The flavor begins tart with notes of lemon and green apple. In the middle the brett appears with a light fruit (apple, pear) flavor. It finishes dry with a touch of pepper. Once gone the tartness and lemon lingers on the palate.

This is a very tasty, easy drinking beer with a lovely velvety body. The tartness is well balanced with all the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 21:27:52 | More by WanderingFool

herman77

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 1; 2012 bottle

A: Clear straw yellow with a big, light and fluffy white head. Good retention and nice lacing.

S: Pears, funk, lemongrass a mild sourness. A bit of herbs with a hint of black pepper. Some Vick's Vapor Rub wafts throughout as well.

T: Green apple skins, lemongrass, pears and some yeasty breadiness up front, then some funk comes. Hay with a bit of sourness and a small amount of barnyard funk. A bit of pepper at the end. Finishes dry.

M: Medium body, lots of carbonation but it's not sharp. Tons of little soft bubbles.

O: Good drinkability. ABV is not really noticeable. A complex and well crafted Saison. Worth seeking out. Would like to try this with even more age on it.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 00:55:35 | More by herman77

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 Bottle
Solid two fingers of foamy head. Light to medium straw colored but cloudy.
Smells of lemon and spice.
Lemon flavor, but with a mild bitterness. There's a general dryness to it, which is nice.
Crisp texture with a lightness to the body.
Pretty good, though a 2010 bottle I had a year ago was better.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 02:33:55 | More by Fatehunter

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Boulevard tulip

Appearance: one inch head, high carbonation, bright gold in color, clear, sediment

Smell: earth, hay, and straw

Taste: earth, hay, straw. some tropical juice--maybe pineapple, and faint apple

Mouthfeel: light body, funky and slightly bitter, high carbonation

Overall: Another Smokestack winner, and maybe one of my favorites. Amazing complex saison that I will pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 15:16:21 | More by tigg924