St. Feuillien - Saison

Tonight's review is of a beer within a category that I love.  The Saison style is very unique in that the nature of the style includes a varying level of sourness.  In some examples its hardly noticeable or not present at all.  In others, it can be one of the primary characteristics.  It keeps the style interesting and adds a characteristic generally not found in most other styles.  In fact, if you do taste sour in any other style I would suggest that the beer is infected and should not be consumed.  As homebrewers generally term it - "You got some bad bugs in your brew!"

St. Feuillien's Saison hit the states back in 2009.  Its a relative newcomer to the Saison world.  But that didn't stop it from skyrocketing to the top of the craft beer world.  In the same year it was first brewed St. Feuillien's Saison was voted the best Saison in the world!  I don't care who you are but you have to admit that's pretty damn impressive.

This brew comes in a sturdy corked bottle with a very simple label on the front depicting a small bunch of hops.  The solid bottle is critical due to this styles high level of carbonation.  Visually this style is not striking.  Generally cloudy or hazy and pale orange.  The head often quickly billows to the top of the glass and will overflow if you are not careful.  After receding the foam retains a sturdy, rocky texture that continues to linger through to the end.  A very soft malt aroma mixes with a distinct honey sweetness and is backed by a hint of spice.  Not quite what I was expecting.  The flavors continue with this profile and remain sweet but crisp throughout.  A heavy dose of carbonation accentuates a mild sour tang alongside sweet pilsner malt, pepper, candied sugar, and hop bitterness.  The finish is dry as a bone between the carbonation and bitterness.  Hardly any hint of alcohol from this 6.5% ABV brew.

Overall - Honestly, I was a bit disappointed.  I like my saisons to be more on the spicier, bolder side of the spectrum.  St. Feuillien's example is definitely on the more mild, sweet side.  There is nothing wrong with that though.  Its a well crafted beer that is clean, crisp and easy to drink.  And if you like your beers to be a bit sweeter then this will certainly be a winner.  For me, I'll continue my search for my favorite saison elsewhere.

Brau Brothers - Forgotten Flem Farmhouse Ale

Tonight I'll be trying this new Saison farmhouse ale from Brau Brothers.  This will be my first foray into this particular style - Saison has it's roots in Wallonia, the french-speaking part of Belgium.  This style was typically brewed at the end of the farmers' cool season, to be enjoyed during the warm summer months.  It was often brewed with spare ingredients from the farm - giving each batch a unique flavor and coining the 'farmhouse' name. 

This brew is 5.3% ABV and 51 IBUs, and the primary hop used is Willamette.  It's bottle conditioned, and if I'm reading their website correctly, Brau uses champagne-yeast in the secondary fermentation process to add complexity to the brew.  The beer is a lighter amber color with a big-time white head that stays frothy without ever receding.  LOTS going on in the aroma - funky belgian yeast up front, with fresh pears, wheat-grass, and lemons behind it. 

The taste is a roller coaster....very strange.....needs some reflection.  After a couple more drinks, I've pinpointed a couple flavors - things start off with a dry, tarty, spicy bite.  A brief hint of fruits comes next, with those pears and some sour apples.  Then another blast of spices comes through, really harsh this time, and bitter.  The finish leaves a lingering, astringent bitterness - not a happy taste.  

Overall Rating:  This beer smelled great, but didn't taste very good.  It was a dry, harshly bitter, sour beer without enough malt balance.  Sorry folks, didn't dig this one!