Philosopher's Stone - Two Brothers Brewing Company

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I haven't been biting on Two Brothers' anniversary series, but there aren't many dark saisons around, so I couldn't pass this one up. Tasted 23 November 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours dark brown in the glass, but light behind it reveas some reddish tones. Clear from the top of the bottle (though dark enough that that's only apparent when backlit), cloudy from the bottom as the yeast got stirred up. One finger of light tan head, fades pretty quickly, but some decent lacing.

Smell is spicy saison yeast. Definitely darker than the average saison, with slightly more roasty flavors, and lacking the fruity buoyancy that the pale malts give so many beers in this style. Spice is difficult to describe; something along the lines of cumin, but that's not really it.

Taste is kinda dull, and lacking any real character. I just don't have a whole lot to say about it. Peppery spice, a little bitter. The malts are almost there, but just when I go looking for them, they vanish.

Medium-bodied, tingly carbonation that fades out a little too fast. Okay, not great.

An interesting beer. I like their take, and I like the way the spice works with the darker malts. But I want more from it, especially in the taste. Finished a bomber no problem, so I can't really complain.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 07:01:35 | More by zeledonia

Lynn

Ohio

4/5  rDev +11.1%

05-05-2013 19:30:24 | More by Lynn

DrFunkenstein

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-18-2013 00:39:13 | More by DrFunkenstein

vande

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-31-2013 01:03:48 | More by vande

matjack85

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%

02-03-2013 00:31:54 | More by matjack85

pathman

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

01-21-2013 00:11:32 | More by pathman

TheSSG

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.7%

01-20-2013 18:41:44 | More by TheSSG

brandoman63

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%

01-16-2013 15:23:59 | More by brandoman63

Craftonly23121

Rhode Island

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%

01-02-2013 18:32:13 | More by Craftonly23121

Jerry

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

11-29-2012 01:40:35 | More by Jerry

Lorihall1

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

11-21-2012 20:34:36 | More by Lorihall1

Rmatuszak2

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

11-17-2012 20:08:48 | More by Rmatuszak2

lisahope27

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

11-16-2012 02:33:23 | More by lisahope27

imperialking

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

10-18-2012 19:07:05 | More by imperialking

falloutsnow

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

From: Friar Tuck's, Savoy, IL
Date: None on bottle, found in stores
Glass: Standard US pint glass

Two Brothers' black saison is a fairly subdued version of the style, lacking the complexity and depth I've normally come to expect. While some of the Brett character is there, it's not particularly strong, reducing the dimensions of spice and fruit that could be found in the style. One I wouldn't seek out again.

Pours a 1cm head of light tan foam. This quickly recedes to a thick ring around the glass and a few wispy islands of residual foam. Modest lacing, a few large spots/clumps along the sides of the glass. Body is semi-hazy, amber with orange tints; light brings out orange-brown colors. Carbonation is visible through the body, appearing fairly active.

Aroma is slightly sweet, a bit of white pepper, composting hay, and Brett character. Overall, fairly mild, not very inspiring.

Front of the palate features Brett character and palstic resin, slight caramel, and slight toasted malts. Mid-palate features continued plastic resin, slight caramel malt, and mineral chraracter. Back of palate showcases ethanol, plastic resin/Brett, mild caramel and toated malts, and a bit of ethanol. Aftertaste is grainy, a bit of caramel sweetness, and a bit of Brett character.

Beer is medium to medium-light bodied, and not entirely appropriate for the ethanol level. Carbonation is a bit high, fizzy for the weight, leading to a slightly prickly mouthfeel, then creamy and smooth later. Finish is not dry.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 05:05:56 | More by falloutsnow

Stevie_Janowski

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%

09-24-2012 01:21:34 | More by Stevie_Janowski

BobCobb

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.7%

09-08-2012 03:56:58 | More by BobCobb

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Duvel tulip glass.

Review #2500! What's an anniversary series without a return of a black saison? Amiright? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear ruby-sienna topped by a short finger of wan cream foam. The nose comprises lightly-toasted biscuit, black pepper, clove, very light orange zest, and a touch of vague funk. The taste focuses on spice: clove, black pepper, light nutmeg, and mace. Slithering behind the spices are long streams of mild coffee, light roasted malts, very earthy greens, and straight-up dirt. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a pretty dry finish. Overall, a solid black saison, but one that seems restrained somehow, as though they didn't let the saison yeast really blossom and get all funky and whatnot.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 18:45:51 | More by TMoney2591

denimdemon

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

09-01-2012 18:06:06 | More by denimdemon

wallyworld68

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.7%

08-20-2012 01:57:22 | More by wallyworld68

bashiba

Iowa

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a dark Brown almost Cola like in color with a thin off white head.

The smell has a nice mixture of Brett funk mixing with dark chocolate malts.

The flavors are solid in an understated sort. Light bits of chocolate, burnt barley, and spicy saison yeast with a bit Basement funk.

The mouthfeel is lightly carbonated and a bit tingly.

Not bad, just nothing great either.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 04:10:16 | More by bashiba

cfh64

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

08-17-2012 23:35:54 | More by cfh64

barnzy78

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

08-16-2012 03:09:42 | More by barnzy78

illini4x4

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

08-07-2012 17:39:14 | More by illini4x4

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The Philospher's Stone has made a re-appearance as #9 of 15 of the retri release. The beer poured a dark, almost opague, mahogany with thin head that did not lace. The scent to me was wet burnt corn husks. The taste has more of a roast/burnt than fruity. The mouthfeel was medium to light body with good carbonation. Overall it was ok....I didn't like the smell and never really was a big Saison fan, but I think it is worth the taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 15:40:42 | More by WoodBrew