Thumbprint Saison - New Glarus Brewing Company

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Shared by cmrillo during BRoss242’s send-off party before he moves! Will miss you man! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller taster flute. Poured a golden yellow with a one finger white head that remained throughout. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, banana, earth, and spice. The flavor was of sweet malt, fruit, banana, and earth. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. As far as saisons go this one wasn’t too bad, but it definitely didn’t stand out like I would have hoped it would. However, most of the right aspects were there, but there was no sign of the spices typical of the style but was rather a little more fruity and sweet. Worth trying if you get the chance, but I wouldn’t seek it out specifically if you have to trade for it.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 11:43:44 | More by thagr81us

dirtylou

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz single, returned from a recent visit back to Madison. Wow - what a terrible uploaded picture of this bottle.

appearance: served in a new holland autumnfest pint, hazy straw-golden body, fluffy white head with nice retention

smell: belgian yeast, white pepper, corriander

taste: a much more traditional effort than the imperial saison of yesteryear. fresh and crisp - corriander, white pepper, loads of yeast, lemon peel, fresh citrus, soapy. A good saison - not very funky, but solid and drinkable

mouthfeel: very yeasty, floral

overall: would make a nice year-round offering, a little standard for the thumbprint/unplugged line

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 23:14:35 | More by dirtylou

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured into a new belgium globe.

Appearance: straw yellow bodied beer that has a slighty opaque quality to it. Huge white head that starts at about 3 finger tall and drops fairly slowely. Spotty lace.

Smell: Yeasty, bready, lite citrus, wet hay and touch of sweet fruitiness. Maybe a hint of banana bread.

Taste: Wet hay, dusty, musk, and wheat notes. Bananas, cloves, pears. Fairly fruity. Mildy bitter hops that are grassy, earthy, and floral that linger into the aftertaste. Also a touch of bitter orange zest.

Mouthfeel: light bodied beer with carbonation thats on the high end of moderate. This beer has such fresh and crisp mouthfeel. Really easy to drink; almost like a 4% beer. Carbonation is near perfection and carries the beers flavors very well.

Overall: Really well made saison by Dan! I can get a hint of the brett that he threw into this beer, but it sure is subtle. I would recommend this beer to anyone who loves saisons!

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 12:18:24 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out a very murky and opaque golden orange color with a two finger creamy head for about a minute and a half, but no real lacing is left behind on the glass. Medium-heavy body and medium-light carbonation levels.
Smells and tastes mostly of apricots, with medium-high amounts of fruity belgian bubblegum, pears, and lighter amounts of banana, orange peel, and clove spice. The yeast is hearty and thick, lending a bit of a chewy texture to the body that fits well with the boldness of the flavors inside. Straight fours across the board.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 03:04:59 | More by WastingFreetime

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Briight golden orange with a light haze, active bubbles lead to a long lasting, almost permanant head, good stuff. Scent brings peppery spice, bready yeast, light floral and citrus notes, honey, light earthyness. Taste follows suit, firm in spice with a splash of earthyness at the end. Medium bodied, bubbly, crisp but smooth. A very nice, full flavored saison - one of the best American made saisons in 12oz format.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 13:33:36 | More by rfgetz

yamar68

Minnesota

2.7/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours an orangish gold with a short-lived, fizzy white cap. After a few brief moments, it looks like a glass of apple juice.

The nose is dominated by bubble gum aromas. A slight suggestion of clove-like yeast. A bit of funky fresh barnyard stuff.

The taste takes the same direction but the bubble gum isn't quite so pungent - it is, still, the lead player though. There's some other grassy bits and spicy notes as well.

Very little carbonation - exceedingly drinkable but just not working for me.

I wish these bottles had dates as I suspect this one is past its prime.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 00:22:15 | More by yamar68

sjccmd

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours very nice. Deep golden with a large off white head. Bubbles streams up to the top. Head recedes slowly and leaves a trickle of lacing.

Spicy and fruity aroma. Noble hops. Grassy, citrussy and floral. Slightly restrained, but very good.

Juicy citrus upfront. Orange peel and spices round out. Slightly biscuity malt character. A little phenolic. Some clove. Finish is quite dry.

Carbonation is nice and spritzy but still has some body. Pretty clean dry finish.

A lot of saisons from American breweries often disappoint me. So many end up tasting one dimensional. Usually being a slightly fruity or sweeter less hoppy version of a generic pale ale. This is not the case with New Glarus. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 02:40:27 | More by sjccmd

faernt

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

spritzy...light...a great yard beer as most saisons are for me. There is an absence of idiosyncrasy that I enjoy in the style which gives me a reason to try many others. It's a solid beer and well made, but it doesn't have the curious notes that I've come to enjoy in a saison.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 23:55:46 | More by faernt

Duff27

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Big near two-inch white fluffy head on a slightly cloudy golden body. Excellent head retention and well above average clumpy lacing.

S- Cloves in the nose, perhaps a hint of lemon zest.

T- "Lemongrass, pear, green apple". More with the clovey/non-sweet banana yeasty notes. Perceived ABV is right in line with the stated one.

M- Foaming carbonation in the mouth, compliments this beer well I feel. Medium mouthfeel, dry finish.

D/O- Although it has a closer-to-weizen feel to it then most saisons, New Glarus' version excels at what it is. A near perfect (flavorful) beer on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 02:36:45 | More by Duff27

Florida9

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Slightly hazy darker shade of straw yellow. Forms a large bubbly white head that reduces down to a fairly thick and creamy surface coating. Light lacing.

S: Green apples and black pepper. Yeast-derived spices, lemon, and a touch of orange rind.

T: Again green apples. Tart, yet with a light sweetness. Light bubble gum, then a mild bit of yeast, slightly peppery, and some white bread. Some light floral notes on the finish.

M: Lighter bodied, crisp with carbonation approaching the heavier side of things.

O: Another pretty damn good beer from NG, this Saison is just about spot on for the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 23:27:36 | More by Florida9

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.23/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a clear amber orange with gushing carbonation that leaves 3 inches of a dense white head. Once the head settles to a constantly maintained quarter inch blanketing I can see that there is excellent lacing and no sediment. The nose is a potent punch of fruity yeast with an underlying honey sweetness and citrus bite. The taste is very sweet up front reminding me of orange marmalade spread thickly onto a fresh, warm biscuit. The beer has terrific body and a mouthfeel that leaves a lingering, dry sweetness and subtle citrus bite after each sip. I'm uncertain what the %abv is on this beer, but I'd imagine it's relatively low.
Easy drinking and a well crafted saison.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 00:08:56 | More by ThePorterSorter

gford217

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle.

Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with a big creamy white head with little lacing.

Plenty of spicy Belgian yeast and some fruity esters, hints of banana. Orange zest and white pepper.

Crisp, spicy Belgian yeast with some sweeter malt and grain notes, which I wasn't expecting as much. Lemongrass, orange zest and even a bit of sugary pears in the finish.

The mouthfeel is less carbonation than many saisons and definitely on the heavier side of things. It's also sweeter and less dry than most in the style.

This is another great beer from New Glarus but I don't think it's one of the best versions I've had (unlike their wheat beers, which are stunning).

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 03:05:10 | More by gford217

FosterJM

California

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1441st Review on BA
Bottle to Pinot Noir Glass
12oz

2012 Bottling
Thanks to Oreo & DrewBA for the gift

App- Pours like a like a saison just a bit darker and murky. A nice goldenrod with with yellow wheat colors. A small 1/2 in head was there and gone. No real head on this one.

Smell- Pleast strains of yeast and some floral notes with a decent amount of pepper in the nose. A bit of an oily note but still pleasant.

Taste- A nice saison with good flavors across the board. Maybe its too thick for me? Not bubbly enough. Its good but missing something. The yeast and pepper play well with a slight pear/apple flavor.

Mouth- A thicker body saison with a good medium carbonation. Residual pear/apple and spice notes.

Drink- Nice, saison, could be better. Wish I had more to sit on. Thanks for the gift while I was in town though fellas!

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 03:24:45 | More by FosterJM

emerge077

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Wil for sharing this one!

into a dry tulip glass, it ours a glassy saturated orange with a slight haze from suspended yeast articles. Thin layer of foam that breaks apart fairly quickly .

Big orange and phenolic spice character n the aroma, lemondrop, white pepper.

Tart fruit, orange peel, clover honey, light phenolic spice. Light to medium bitterness, smooth feel. A nice rendition, lightly sweet and more fruit/spice forward rather than dry, better than many American saisons.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 02:42:54 | More by emerge077

ChadQuest

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lightly hazy juicy lemon color. Head doesn't last that long, but this one is quite cold.
Pear and spices are on the nose. white pepper.
This one starts off juicy and ends spicy. Pear, apple, a spritz of lemon, cracked white pepper, esters, wheat, chamomile.
Mouthfeel is medium body with good carbonation.

I like a lot of Danny's beers, and this one is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 02:22:09 | More by ChadQuest

THANAT0PSIS

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

New Glarus Thumbprint Saison

Appearance: New Glarus’ unplugged Saison pours a slightly opaque and foggy golden/orange yellow with a pure white two fingers of head topping it off. The carbonation is quite active and there are no alcohol legs at all, which is not really a surprise with its (assumed) low ABV. This saison is a very average looking beer, but it looks the part of its name.

Aroma: Again, a very average smelling beer. It really smells very “beery”, which may seem obvious, but it is a statement that deserves to be said. True to its type once again, this saison smells very yeasty and spicy, while retaining a touch of the malty. There is not much in the way of hop aromas.

Taste: Like most New Glarus beers, this one comes into its own and makes up for its lacking characteristics in the taste department. Spicy, yeasty, sweet, and sour all vie for control of the taste buds. Cloves and cinnamon are present, while a grape/wine-esque quality fight away the bit of sweetness from the malt. There is just a touch of hop bitterness in the very back of the taste.

Mouthfeel: The lively carbonation originally spotted does not disappoint in the mouth. A very playful fizziness does well to assist and elaborate upon the spicy and sour characteristics of the beer. There is also a welcome warming sensation (perhaps from the alcohol?) that persists through the entire bottle. It also has a dry, wine-like finish that adds to the drinkability.

Overall: Though this saison was disappointing to look at, it more than made up for its shortcomings where it counts. The mouthfeel really supports and complements the tastes perfectly and makes this saison excellent. It is also extremely, dangerously drinkable and refreshing; New Glarus released this at the perfect time in this unseasonably hot Wisconsin summer. 17/20

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 00:25:49 | More by THANAT0PSIS

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into Tulip.

A. Poured 3 finger head. Color is a cloudy golden with a good bit of carbonation rising up from the bottom. Good retention. Decent lacing.

S. Yeasty, lemon, spices. Smell crisp and refreshing. Grains of paradise add a nice touch. Really nice light Saison smell with a touch of extra attention. Good smelling beer.

T. Lovely. Pale malt, grains of paradise, lemony hops, some light pepper and a little clove. Great yeast flavor displayed in this beer. Very refreshing. Very drinkable.

M. Medium light bodied. Finishes with a bit of sweetness. Medium carbonation.

O. Can't say that I have ever been disappointed with one of New Glarus's specialty or seasonal beers. This one did not disappoint either. Incredibly flavorful and easy drinking. New Glarus's Imperial Saison is one of my favorite beers, and this one is pretty damn good too. Maybe I am a sucker for Saison's, but it is nice when someone does one like this.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 23:49:45 | More by siradmiralnelson

gatornation

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

from12 on bottle about 30 days old

A- pours a hazy golden yellow with a fresh brilliant white head

S-fruit,pepper,spice,wet hay lemon grass and musty funk

T- superb its spicy with slight sour fruit and funk wet hay

M- slight tart with nice carbonation fruit and pepper/spice finish

O- Superb saison highly drinkable

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 19:43:19 | More by gatornation

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a cloudy orange color. The head is one inch of off white foam that recedes quickly into a small cap of lacing. The aroma is of flowers, leathers, soil, passion fruit, and those chalky heart candies you get for Valentine's Day. The taste is similar to the aroma with a nice mix of bright fruit, and earthy barnyard notes. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with an appropriately high level of carbonation, and a smooth texture. Overall, this is a unique saison that I truly enjoy. I can see myself drinking this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 23:03:24 | More by KarlHungus

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Hazy golden with bubbly white head that quickly fades to a ring of foam.

S - Crisp malt, pepper, lemon, juicy fruit aroma, almost a ginger spice note, tartness with some yeast character.

T - Wheat malt with some pepper. Hints of ginger, pear and fruit. Starts with sweet malt then becomes tart and spicy.

M - Well carbonated with a little zip on the tongue from the spice, carbonation combo. Dry finish.

D - A solid saison. Sometimes the spice gets to be a tad much

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 01:52:37 | More by brewcrew76

Strix

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hazy golden, nice frothy head that eventually fades to a ring.

Lemon zest, pepper, banana in the nose.

Pepper, juicy fruit, yeast, lemon zest, biscuit, pear, ginger. No funky aftertaste.

Crisp, bubbly mouthfeel.

Love the complexity on this one. Thumbprints continually impress me.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 02:53:15 | More by Strix

Jason

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz brown bottle with no freshness date

LOOK: Bubbly, hazed golden straw, big head, good retention

SMELL: Peppery, taffy, dragon fruit, chalky yeast, biscuity, clementine pith

TASTE: Expressively crisp, lighter bodied, peppery, gummy, ginger-like, biscuity, earthy, fresh grain, dried grass, bread crust, phenolic, semi-dry finish

A delicate brew in someways but very intricate the more you sip it. Without a doubt one of the best Saisons I have tried this year. Beers like this would be worth a visit to the brewery and I am pretty sure I have said this about of their beers before.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:08:18 | More by Jason

Jparker37

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

A - Hazy and golden with lively carbonation. Pours a big white head that recedes immediately. No sign of a head after a short while.

S - Bright lemon zest with some lighter orange peel. Also there is a juicy fruit character and some banana esters.

T - Light/mild biscuit malt flavor up front. There is a touch of wheat. A nice peppery/earthy/spiced flavor blends well. Has a crisp/dry finish that leaves a pleasant spice aftertaste alongside some warm phenols.

M - Light to medium bodied, high carbonation.

O - The appearance was a let down from the vanishing head, I found the smell stylistically complex along with its taste. A little warm in the finish but still a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:00:53 | More by Jparker37

adman08

Wisconsin

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours clear pale gold with ample white head that leaves minimal lacing.
S-Spicy phenol aroma upfront, slight pineapple sweetness with a very slight tartness.
T-Very complex flavors of spicy/warm phenols balanced with a slight fruity banana sweetness. Slight malt sweetness with an underlying, very slight tartness.
M-Moderately warm alcohol, medium bodied with sufficient carbonation.
Overall, a really good saison. The sweetness and the spice/phenol flavors balance very nicely. There may be too much phenol warmth. If you're a fan of the style I'd suggest trying this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 02:14:03 | More by adman08

uwmgdman

Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours every so slightly hazy light golden/deep straw color with a bright white head that lingers nicely and leaves some lacing. The aroma is very inviting--quite peppery, citrusy, fruity, some phenols. The flavor is wheaty, quite spicy and peppery from start to finish. The swallow and afterwords is rather dry and slightly tart. There is some lemon zest in the flavor as well. The body is medium-light and carbonation medium-high. Overall a very refreshing, flavorful beer, still have yet to find a thumbprint series to miss the mark.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 01:52:38 | More by uwmgdman