Saison - Nøgne Ø - Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/S

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Luminous lemon (when backlit) with much less yeast than expected. Perhaps it's hiding in the bottom of the bottle. The pearl colored crown is a tightly packed collection of glassy bubbles that doesn't look very Belgian. A smattering of sticky lace decorates the sides of the glass in the form of half-moons and assorted curlicues.

The nose is fresh and clean, with an abundance of lemony, herbal, light spicy, modestly musky aromas that are due to what smells like a wonderful Belgian yeast strain and two well-chosen hops (East Kent Goldings and Crystal). There's no horse blanket, since Brettanomyces isn't used, but there is a subtle funk of a different nature.

Since the first mouthful was good, but wasn't outstanding, I've decided to add the good stuff from the bottom of the bottle to the glass. The beer is now signficantly murky and the flavor should be more intense as well. At least I hope so.

My opinion hasn't changed a whole lot. Saison is a much better than average version that doesn't deliver the transcendence of an expertly crafted Belgian ale. That's okay, roughly 99% of the world's beer doesn't either. The body/mouthfeel is partly to blame, but that isn't the whole story. On second thought, it might be most of the story.

The malt backbone (wheat and 'lager' malt) does a good job of anchoring the bottom end and providing an underlying cereal grain sweetness rather than an overattenutated crisp dryness. Things begin to dry out on the finish, which is where the top notes of yeast and spice begin to find their groove.

Lemon, lemongrass and a potpourri of spices (clove, cardamom, white pepper) share the spotlight. I'm beginning to agonize over the flavor score, and wish, yet again, that 4.25 was an option. The beer's outstanding drinkability means that the glass will probably be empty before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

The mouthfeel is the only (minor) disappointment. Undercarbonation is the main reason. Saisons should be lush and fluffy, with an ethereal creaminess that caresses the mouth and tongue. None of that is true here.

Other than the amazingly delicious Porter and Imperial Stout, Saison might be my favorite Nogne beer to date. It's tantalizingly close to greatness and is already there in terms of drinkability. Cutting through the waffling, I will gladly buy multiple bottles in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2008 14:50:06 | More by BuckeyeNation

prototypic

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Saison is hazy and a light gold color. Despite its haziness, there's no swimming yeast. A foamy white head rises to about two fingers. It fell to a surface level covering nearly as fast. Lacing was sticky and rather light.

The nose is kicked off with a very musky and earthy aroma. It has a slight funky aroma. It's not Brett, but something else. A generous amount of spices amp it up quite a bit. Clove and pepper are apparent, but there may be other spices I'm not picking up. A floral hop presence attributes a grassy aroma that only further its strong earthy character. A little Belgian yeast is noted on the tail, but it's not prominent. No alcohol is noted. Not a bad effort at all.

A nice grainy flavor kicks it off. It tastes a little sweet at first, but that quickly disappears. Clove and pepper spices are quite tasty and boost the overall flavor a notch. Hops are more prominent than one would expect. They're mostly floral and earthy in character, but add quite a bit to the overall flavor. I like it. Lemon and light orange citrus notes creep in toward the end. Belgian yeast is noted, but certainly isn't that strong in overall flavor. Incidentally, there's no appreciable funky flavor here. I was expecting it. Alcohol is blended very well and goes unnoticed. Overall, this has a pretty nice flavor. It's a solid effort by the Scandinavian crew. It's not quite on par with some of the best, but it's firmly in the second tier for the style.

Saison's body is light and has a decent, smooth feel. Carbonation feels a little too light and doesn't hold up its end very well. It doesn't have a substantial negative effect. Perhaps minor. Drinkability is good. It goes down way too fast and easy. The flavor is overall pretty impressive. I could handle a few of these.

Saison's a nice release from Nøgne Ø. It's probably a little better than the score here will reflect, but it's tough to stack up against some top notch releases of the style. The flavor isn't quite as refined or artful as those examples. But, it's difficult to call that a problem. The biggest problem is that its carbonation is too light. Pretty impressive outside of that. Definitely recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2009 01:34:47 | More by prototypic

laituegonflable

Australia

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly orange-tinged gold with very frothy off-white head, bubbles are fairly visible and webbed, and sinks in a beautiful melting-marshmallow style, leaves tinges of lacing around. Quite hazy as well, with healthy bead.

Nose is fairly fresh and organic, with some lucerne character and some pineapple esters as well. Good dose of mildly sour funk. Not excessively complex, but everything present and accounted for.

Taste is a nice fresh one, nice and complex palate. Some sour, resiny notes on the front give way to some pleasant bitter and hoppy flavours, blended well with some fresh fruit characters - mango and pineapple on there. A big rubber sensation, great deal of that, with a fair amount of barnyard funk and a carrot flavour as well. A bit of a metallic character on the back which leaves a slightly acerbic hang, almost like a corked wine. Allover a nice blend though, fairly light and fruity with good saison characters.

Beautifully textured feel - full-bodied but smooth with a great earthy feel. Wonderful.

Very pleasant and drinkable beer. Thirst-quenching and refreshing. Shame about the aftertaste which is the one downer to an otherwise great drop.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2009 00:26:40 | More by laituegonflable

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an oversized wine glass a pale golden with a touch of honey colored hue a thinner but tight formed white head atop.A mix of a aromas slightly funky with a firm toasted wheat component,some residual honey sweetness and orange linger,flavors are a bit phenolic and yeasty at the onset flollowed by some honey-like sweetness and light citrus fruit maybe a touch of pineapple,toasty thruought with a big herbal near medicanal hop finish.A solid saison here no major flaws and not overly "funky" relying more on fruity sweetness and herbal hop.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2007 21:19:05 | More by oberon

satowns

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Gusher!! Upon popping the cap, a large plug of foam begins to eject. Not quite an explosion, but a little messy.

Poured into a goblet where the foam quickly disappears; what a short life it lived...Glowing gold in color, the carbonation is hidden behind a veil of haze.

First whiff reveals leather, orange and a brett-ish mustiness.

Spicy and nicey! Good white pepper quality; a little tart in the finish. Yeasty earthiness work well with the spicy E. Kent Goldings. Wildflower honey in the finish.

This is a very quaffable beer. Complex enough to satisfy the Belgian lover, but tame enough to serve as an entry into the Belgian world of beer. I would prefer a bit more spice in the flavor. The only repellent from future purchases would be the price for 500mls....$8.50!

Music enjoyed whilst sampling: Where the streets have no name by U2 (just listening to the radio...)

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2008 02:17:50 | More by satowns

Gmann

New York

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a bright yet cloudy pale orange color with an average head that dissipated into a light cap. The aroma is earthy; some pepper, light lemon and a good whiff of a banana bread. The taste is of banana bread, light citrus, and a light funk. A light hop bitterness in the end. Taste reminds me of a hefe with a little funk. Not tart like most saisons, has more of a yeast profile. Still very tasty though. The feel is moderate and has a creamy texture, finishes fairly balanced. Not a typical saison as I didn't pick up much in the way of floral notes, tartness, or the funk. However, still a very fine tasting brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2008 02:37:01 | More by Gmann

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark gold, almost orange beer that has a solid one-finger head that dies slowly and leaves some lace. Some malts and a citric burst in the smell. A sweet malt taste is there, with caramel being prevelant. There is some tartness in there also, like sour apple or raspberries (some fruit sharp in nature). Medium-bodied and passes over the tongue with minor crispness and finishes with a drying sensation but doesn't have a funky aftertaste. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2008 02:45:13 | More by clayrock81

popery

California

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Glowing, dusky, gold, lemon liquid with a pretty good head.

S: A bit refined/constrained for my tastes in a saison. Lemony citrus, earthy Belgian yeast, summer barley. The funk could be amped up, but it's still there.

T: This beer isn't quite as differentiated from other Belgian styles as I would like. It is quite focused enough on Saison funk. Nøgne Ø has brewed a very good Belgian-style ale, but judging it strictly as a saison, it doesn't have quite the kick of a Dupont or Fantôme beer. There is a complexity of spice blended into Belgian earthiness that reminds me of an excellent Tripel more than anything. The hopping is moderate but noticeable and pleasant. The funk is mild and reminiscent of an extremely clean, fancy barn, rather than a rustic country farm (if that comment means anything to anyone).

M: Smooth, mild, pleasant aftertaste.

D: Good, easy on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2009 05:26:22 | More by popery

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours out a clouded, darkened yellow body with a medium-sized, frothy, white head.

Smell: Mild, airy malted grains in the nose rounded out with a few fruity scents and some nicely fragrant wafts of fresh spice.

Taste: Lightly sweet tastes of light pale malts and delicately tangy malted wheat. An array of subtle flavors graciously pass by the palate: finely-ground pepper, mild cloves, and both lemon and apple peelings. Very appealing! Floral, zesty. lightly citrusy hop character with a smattering of complimentary bitterness. A few sugary honeyed hints dodge in and out and amongst the various flavors. Finishes fairly dry with a lingering mix of citrus, spice, and mild earthiness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-plus carbonation. Some slight creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Drinkability: A pleasant combination of fine flavors, fluffy (but not too fluffy) mouthfeel, and overall drinkability. Nogne Saison is a pleasant saison -- won't you give it a chance?

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2009 21:16:56 | More by ChainGangGuy

JohnnyP3

Alaska

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

.5L bottle. Batch 570. Best before 101213, brewed 101210. Poured into a C&B Belgian tulip. Pours a gold-yellow with some orange hues. Lovely 2-3 fingers of white foam cap the beer. Excellent lacing on the sides. Rather hazy in appearance.

Smell consists of lemon/orange peel, some spice, e.g., black pepper, and tartness, if that's a smell. Has a general fruity aroma.

Taste is very crisp and refreshing. Delightful tart fruit up front consisting of some lemon, orange. Green apple as well. The pepper is there for some spiciness. Gives way to a crisp and dry finish. Taste is complex. As this beer rolls across the tongue, there is a touch of honey sweetness there. Yeasty and earthy are the final adjectives I would use to describe this beer.

Mouthfeel is crisp and dry with lively carbonation. Overall, very tasty and enjoyable. I wish I had some other Saisons from Belgium to compare this to. Nevertheless, a good representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 17:10:38 | More by JohnnyP3

danieelol

Australia

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good yellow-orange colour with good head and lacing.

Smell is banana, orchard, nice typical saison flavours with some band-aid. Is there Brett in this?

Taste is similarly refreshing and flavoursome. More banana and a slight sourness. Lots of bittering hops. Interesting, tangy.

Mouthfeel is thick with quite a bit of carbonation.

Overall a good saison, a bit heavy in the taste and mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 13:36:07 | More by danieelol

theboozecruise

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up at Calandro's in BR, and poured into a goblet. IRS a hazy deep golden color as expected from the style. About a finger of head in the goblet with good retention and really good lacing.

A good Saison aroma as well, floral with some honey notes and a little bit of sour funk.

The taste is more of the same with the floral hop notes coming through the strongest. The honey is a little faint and the funk fades into the background a good bit as well. Nothing wrong though, it's a very nice beer.

Really well done, a good example of the style. "Good" across the board on this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 21:32:08 | More by theboozecruise

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Churchkey in D.C. for the Nøgne Ø event. Thanks to Kjetil Jikiun. Review from notes.

The beer is hazy and yellow hued with a lasting white head that leaves a nice sheet of lacing on the glass.

The aroma offers grass, lemon, lemon zest, yeast, light spice.

A balanced flavor. Tasty beer. Earthy, herbal, light floral notes. Everything comes together nicely. Fresh and crisp.

Light bodied and refreshing, while offering a complex bouquet of flavors.

A solid beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2012 23:48:37 | More by Huhzubendah

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

P:  A glowing and vibrantly carbonated body of clear gold crown with a finger of white dense head. 

S:  Delicious Belgian yeast, lemon zest, oak, soft packing foam, fresh sun soaked grains, very fresh and vibrant. 

T/M:  Taste follows the nose but packs a big bouquet of fresh flowers, a touch of booze, timid grapefruit, waxy apples, apricots and white grapes.  Body is sloshy and playful with a zesty carbonated sting. Finish is super dry with lingering fruit and flowers. 

O:  A fruit packed cornucopia of yeasty flavors that meld well with the  great yeast strand. Fresh, clean and super dry a great saison. 

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 02:04:41 | More by Hopswagger

IBUnit63

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From mini-bomber into NBS mug to kick off the race and the continued Euro-taint of the 24...

Cloudy honey/white grapefruit yellow. Active carbonation, thin sudsy head. I'd say it was a 4 'cause it's a little different but I gotta admit - it looks a little too much like something I'd leave at the doctor's office.

Yeasty amd nice, austere (piney?) hops. Orange and coriander aroma is well-distributed with some citrusy (grapefruit?) bitterness.

Clean-tasting balance of orange, vanilla and a little pine. Alcohol is way in the background - slight sourness to yeast. Very pleasant.

This hits the mouth more flat than preferred or expected from the visible carbonation. Tanginess adds the desired palate spike.

Definitely enjoyable for a sessionable offering - based on serving temperature would prefer to serve a little colder than usual. Nice stuff!

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2008 10:44:50 | More by IBUnit63

Oxymoron

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Is it ok if I start putting a slash through all my o's? Pours a mostly cloudy straw colored to lemony yellow hue. Some sediment on the bottom but kept most of it out. A soft white head that is very solid. Did hide eventually to the side of the glass and lasted through the full tasting. Good lacing as well.

The nose is light for a saison but some good notes in there. A soft malt aroma with a noticeable wheat aroma. Some minor bready and salty notes as well. Some fruity notes, oranges, cherries, figs and a herbal lemon balm note. Some light pepper aromas. Some minor stale aromas as well. A bit hoppy for style but ok.

The taste is more on balance. The malt comes out a bit more with more of a malty base. Some bready and biscuit notes, but limited wheaty notes. A bit sweet for style but ok. The yeast is bit light but still having some fruity characteristics. The lemon really comes out more with a slight orange and herbal flavor. Some very light buttery notes but very light. Some hints of Belgium yeast character but would really like more esters and yeast character. The hops come out and enhance the herbal quality.

The body is moderate and has a lingering sweetness. Would like a bit cleaner finish but ok. Carbonation is a bit light and could help out. Overall there are some good notes and some minor off notes. I would have liked more yeast character to come out but what did come out was nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2009 22:33:31 | More by Oxymoron

Rainintheface

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally made it to Julios Liquors and they have many Nogne offerings. The first I've seen, so I picked up this pint+.9oz saison.

A: cloudy, dark straw with a fairly small white head. Quickly to a ring.

S: Smells like a saison. spices, earthy, barnyard hay. faint hops and a tad fruity

T: yeasty with a bigger malt presence than other saisons. pepper. damn tasty.

M: Fuller in body than some saisons. dry finish with some bitterness. light carbonation

D: nice. refreshing. I like saisons in warmer weather than Boston in February, but it's heft in comparison with others makes it all the more drinkable today.

I've only heard of Nogne O, but now that I have, found a source and tried this great offering I'll return to Julios to explore this brewery further.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2008 21:36:44 | More by Rainintheface

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

From notes:

Pours a dark, hazy golden yellowish orange color with burnt orange hues when held to a light source and a half finger white head that fades into a thin lasting ring. Minimal spots of lacing left behind.

Slightly earthy aroma with hints of zesty spice, citrus and light fruit. I'm picking up some banana as well as some apple and pear. Faint hops.

Medium body with soft carbonation up front followed by a creamy full character mid-palate with a slightly earthy, bitter dry finish. A good balance of earthy funkiness(not sour) and crisp fruit notes. Hints of citrus peel, apple and pear as well as some zesty, peppery spice. Nicely balanced, clean, refreshing and quite quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 07:48:45 | More by corby112

GreenCard

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pale straw, quite hazy, nice layer of tight-beaded white froth, good head retention

Aroma: orange peel, coriander, chamomile, canned pineapple, blossom honey

Flavor: dry malt profile with a tangy edge; melange of orange peel, coriander, chamomile, and grapefruit rind bitterness; finishes dryish with a lingering acerbic bitterness

Mouthfeel: medium-light body, fluffy carbonation, soft texture, slightly astringent

Other comments: It's amazing how much spice can be churned out by the yeast. There are no added spices, yet those flavors and aromas are there.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 15:10:50 | More by GreenCard

Ikhoudvanbier

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip a nice peachy, gold color. The yeast and wheat character are well apparent. Mildly hoppy. After taste lingers on the tip of the tongue and roof of the mouth. Refreshing and would be a good summer beer choice.

This is not a common style you would think of for a Norwegian brewery, but this is a well-built beer for sure. Nøgne Ø is more known for the darker brews of Porter and Imperial Stout, but this Saison is totally decent.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2008 01:51:15 | More by Ikhoudvanbier

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yellow to orange coloured beer with a cloudy appearance and a big, foamy white head at the top that has great retention and lacing.

Citrus fruits, lemon and orange zest dominate the smell of this one along with some grain and yeast. The smell is light, summery and refreshing with a touch of lemongrass and spice to it as well.

A refreshing, summer time beer with good yeast and citrus fruits flavours including the lemon and orange from the smell. There is also a little pinneapple and perhaps some berries along with a tiny amount of grain and an almost wheat like taste.

Medium and smooth with a citrus tang to it and a sweet bitterness through the middle. The finish is crisp, slightly sour and very dry.

Light and fruity, this one is a great summer time beer with some good citrus flavours and a very crisp yet refreshing feel to it. This wasa beer I had been looking forward to for some time and it didn't disappoint.

1001 Beers Blog: http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 08:50:39 | More by flyingpig

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark golden color with a slight haze. small creamy white head. Minor lacing left behind.

S - Sweet malt, yeasty fruit esters, pears, apples, and lemon, grassy, mild clove, herbal skunk-like aroma. Dried bananas and doughy bread come out as it warms.

T - Sweet and fruity upfront with apple sauce, pears, lemons and oranges but a chalky dryness flows over the palate quickly bringing down the sweetness. Grassy hops start mid palate along with damp hay creating a musky semi-dry finish. A citrus tartness is left behind on the aftertaste.

M - Fuller body for the style, moderate and tight carbonation.

A nice touch on the style, but very close to a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. The citrus zest helps pick up from the sweet malt. Heavier body but still a tight foamy feel creating the sense of lightness. Letting it warm really brigs out a raw doughy character in the aroma. I really enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 00:24:04 | More by StaveHooks

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours with a three-finger thick, pale tan colored head that is made up of a bunch of large bubbled froth. The beer is a hazy, straw gold color. The aroma is an appetizing mix of grain, hops, fruit and yeast character. Aromas of orange zest, herbal nettle, grassy grain, a touch of honey-like malt, soda crackers, sweet ginger and white pepper are all easily noticed. The citrus character is quite pronounced in this beer, and looking at the label this must stem from the use of Crystal hops.

A soft, creamy mouth feel greets me as I take my first sip. A bit of carbonation adds a little zippy tickle and a touch of peppery carbonic acid that does not overcome the creamy mouthfeel. The combination of the creamy mouthfeel and the citrus-like hop notes make me think of orange-cream candies. Substantially malty with flavors of grassy grain, fresh crushed wheat, honey, and a touch of soda crackers in the finish. The beer is fairly sweet, though at times towards the end it dries out with the grassy grain notes, but ultimately the sweet malt is what lingers on in the finish. This lingering, honey like, sweet malt note is joined by a light, but noticeable hop bitterness and a fair amount of citrus hop character. Spicy yeast derived notes provide touches of ginger, a touch of phenolic soaked cotton ball, definite clove, white pepper and a touch of green apple.

Perhaps a bit full bodied, when compared to my ideal of a Saison, but I find the mix of Crystal hops, sweet grain and spicy yeast character to be quite pleasing here. I really like the use of Crystal hops here; sure it is not in the least a traditional Saison hop, but it reminds me of the Saison / American hop brews that I have bee fond of making over the past couple of years.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2008 00:56:16 | More by Gueuzedude

Beerenauslese

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This has been in my cellar a year. Not really intentional, just a lost sheep.

Body is translucent gold, with a good half inch sudsy white head. Good head retention, leaves small clouds of lacing on the glass.

Smells of tropical fruits, sweetness, and coriander spice.

Tastes of tropical fruits, oranges, and a bit of Belgian yeast funk. Dry finish with fruity hops and maybe some coriander.

Body is medium and lively carbonation gives this a creamy mouthfeel.

Overall, this tastes more like a tripel than a saison, it has loads more orange fruit flavor than one would expect in a typical saison, and is enhanced by the East Kent Golding hops. But then a Norwegian craft brewer doesn't really need to heel to Belgian/French traditions. The result is still a pretty good and refreshing beer regardless, even though it has been cellared a year.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 03:39:04 | More by Beerenauslese

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Started to overflow the bottle (slowly) when first opened. Yet, there was very little head (thin, single bubbles). Properly cloudy with a darker gold color.

Smells surprisingly like a typical American pale ale. A solid level of hops and no sourness like other Saisons I've had.

There is sourness in the flavor, though. Tastes almost as if someone had blended (in a one-to-one ratio) an APA and a Saison. For purists, this may be a little bit disappointing. I, however, like this combination and find it to be an interesting departure from either style.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2010 23:19:22 | More by smcolw