GIVE ME YOUR BEER SUGGESTIONS!!

[MRandall25]

I bought Yards Saison tonight to try it. Also have Brooklyn Brown, Yards Porter, and 3 wheats (Hofbrau, Long Trail, and NCBC).

[MRandall25]

I bought Yards Saison

It's OK. Nothing great.

[Factorial]

Will you be live reviewing all six of these tonight?

[MRandall25]

No just the one, maybe one more.

[MRandall25]

Unless you want an opinion on something specific.

[columbia]

I'm more hoping that you drink all six and then engage Chirpy in a Spaling discussion.

[MRandall25]

I'd just post that gif of Ed slamming his face off the ground multiple times.

[MRandall25]

... OK the Yards Porter is good.

It's the Tavern Porter. Apparently there's more than just one, according to Untappd.

[slappybrown]

I have to second slappy. I've tried several good saisons, just can't get into them. The carbonation is off putting

Third. I still want to try them every now and then to see if it changes.

This is what I do too. Just hasn't clicked

[MRandall25]

I have to second slappy. I've tried several good saisons, just can't get into them. The carbonation is off putting

Third. I still want to try them every now and then to see if it changes.

This is what I do too. Just hasn't clicked

I guess I'm in the same boat here.




Said "screw it" and am drinking the Brooklyn Brown Ale. Kinda tastes like a light porter. Saving the wheats for another time.

[eddysnake]

sipped on a founders imperial stout for about 2 hours last night. For ease of access, it doesn't get much better than that RIS for me. so good

[Kraftster]

I have to second slappy. I've tried several good saisons, just can't get into them. The carbonation is off putting

Third. I still want to try them every now and then to see if it changes.

If the three of you haven't already, I think you have to start at the source: Saison Dupont Vieille Provision. Shaf, you should not be having carbonation issues with saisons, or, at the very least, you should not stereotype saisons as being overly carbonated. There may be some out there--Jolly Pumpkin Bam comes to mind--but many saisons are very soft on the palate. I would say that at the correct temperature, the saison dupont should have what I would consider a medium body with a very soft mouthfeel. Some saisons are more prickly, but one of the things I like most about the more classic saisons is the ability to have a nicely bodied beer that finishes extremely dryly.

The other problem with a lot of the more readily available american craft made saisons (yards, victory, etc.) is that they are pretty low on funk character. That's a big component to subtract.

But, to slappy's original post, I think the "light beer with flavors" comment is probably a reflection of how versatile it seems the style is. I think it provides a great canvas for doing other things, which means you get a lot of "saisons" that are exploring a whole bunch of flavors. That leads to a style that you could easily mischaracterize depending upon what you try. I've had some "saisons" or "farmhouse" beers that piss me off because I think they might ruin a style for people, some that have deserted too many of the common saison characteristics to claim to be that style. I wonder if we'll see some sub-styles of saisons/farmhouse ales pop up over the next few years as more and more american craft breweries jump on board?

Disclaimer: I'm a pretty new, self-taught saison guy. I've tried to drink as many as I possibly can over the past 2-3 years, but I still feel like there's a lot out there that I am missing, so I may not really be a good authority on the subject. Nonetheless, those are my thoughts.

[count2infinity]

If people are looking for a good saison, give Ommegang's Hennepin a try. It's crisp at the back end, but not overly carbonated for my liking. It's really my go to when I want something with some Belgian funk, but not something darker like dubbels or quads.

[slappybrown]

I've had Hennepin. Its fine, like most other saisons I've had, but not anything that I would search out or order consistently.

And if I am being honest, Ommegang doesn't live up to its rep for me. Three Philosophers is good, but not outstanding as its rep would indicate. Their Wit is mediocre. Their only beer that I really enjoyed and will order if I see it at a bar is Scythe & Sickle. That usually starts popping up around this time/early Oct.

Their Rare Vos is also pretty good.

[count2infinity]

I tend to stay away from their other offerings for the most part, but the issue is beyond Hennepin in my area, the only other Saisons that I've got available to me (that I've seen) are the seasonal ones from the big macros, and as Kraftster pointed out, they aren't anything to go out and get.

[Factorial]

What macro brands are considered Saisons?

[count2infinity]

Victory has summer love which they call a saison and also Helios. Goose Island has Sophie. They mostly come out in the spring/early summer.

[Kraftster]

I'm torn on whether I'd point someone I was trying to convert to Hennepin. It's a good beer, for sure, and I am an Ommegang fan, but Ommegang yeast definitely has a particular flavor, and I think the Hennepin just hits 7s across the board in all the important saison categories. It is a safe saison, but it's not one that really delivers the goods in any single category that I'd look to as a selling point for saisons.

Also agree that Rare Vos is good. Gnomengang is a nice BSPA, Hop House is tasty, Fleur de Houblon is good. The Wit is definitely no better than mediocre.

[Kraftster]

The Victory saison is actually Swing Session Saison--Summer Love is some light summer beer. Helios is pretty solid.

I think the Great Divide Collete is the best large american craft saison.

[the wicked child]

Thumbs up on the Collette. I've only had the sample I got at the Summer Beerfest, but it was pretty damn good.

[the wicked child]

Anyone going to this? Sounds pretty cool.
http://www.hopfarmbrewingco.com/events.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[canaan]

The Victory saison is actually Swing Session Saison--Summer Love is some light summer beer. Helios is pretty solid.

I think the Great Divide Collete is the best large american craft saison.

Colette is great. Ithaca Ground Break is great. Saisons are great. slappy and shad can get bent.

[columbia]

Miller can sue me, but I consider the style to be the champagne of beer.

[Troy Loney]

Anyone going to this? Sounds pretty cool.
http://www.hopfarmbrewingco.com/events.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

looks pretty awesome.

[shafnutz05]

If people are looking for a good saison, give Ommegang's Hennepin a try. It's crisp at the back end, but not overly carbonated for my liking. It's really my go to when I want something with some Belgian funk, but not something darker like dubbels or quads.

I actually like Hennepin, so I guess I don't dislike all saisons.

Slappy, re: Ommegang, your opinion of their Witte (which is decidedly mediocre) is about the only thing I agree with you on. Ommegang Abbey Ale and Rare Vos are both world-class beers. I like 3 Philosophers slightly less, I suppose.