 BigBen2120 (503), Gardiner(52 miles from Allagash), Maine, USA
Dec 5, 2007 750ml caged and corked bottle from Florian’s in Auburn. Pours a hazy golden-orange with a half inch of off-white head that dissipates surprisingly quickly. Smells fruity (orange, lemon), somewhat pithy, spicey with hints of vanilla and wood. Tastes orangey/grapefruity, pithy, malty, with spice, piney hops, and vanilla hinted at as well. Medium to light in body with only moderate amounts of carbonation. Extremely (dangerously) drinkable for its complexity and abv. Phenomenal. Extremely impressed with this one - can’t wait to see how it ages.
beermatrix (1497), Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Dec 20, 2007 Beautifully unfiltered honey gold haze with lots of activity within the body of liquid. Creamy capping of slightly parched yellowed foam grows up to about a inch high and stays put for great length. Eventually fades to a compact, thick skim of substantial girth and weight. Lacing sticks across the glass with drippy, boney fingered lace.
Aroma is quite nice and sharp with a well-rounded array of mild grasses, dullish lemon candy, peach fuzz, pineapple husks, and musty breads. Nice little notes of Belgian yeasty spices adding that Saison kick.
Taste has a well developed undertone of malty sweetness and a smooth candied underscoring. Its quite complex, yet seemingly mild and somehow simple in tone. Very unique flavors meld together all throughout with a slightly bready chewyness tied together with active sugary smoothness, peppy carbonation at the edges of the palate and during the middle are favorable; big bubblegum esters underneath and grow from there - and fun little hints to citrusy/tropical fruits; pineapple, peach, orange and lemon. Fantastic chewy bubblegum stuff going on throughout. Yum!
Complex body and nearly full on the mouthfeel. It plays all sorts of fun, sweetened, smoothness and milding yeasty carbonation. Its smoothened creamyness is awesome as it rides, glides, and prepares the palate for a small bite in the middle of yeasty action, partially drying, then rounds off to be and stay fulfillingly rich and lasting in a bubblegummy residue of leftover tropical candy juices.
Wow, a solid Saison by Brooklyn Brewery! I can and will drink this big Ol’ 750ml without a problem as the 9% can’t be found anywhere. Oh, the bottle and label are quite classy too. Me likey this beery!
Squirreldogger (4), Chicago (Lincoln Park), Illinois, USA
does not count  Mar 30, 2007 Damn near perfect!! I don’t know about you guys but I’m geting tired of trying these new Belgian "style" beers that are very harsh and try to mimic every aspect of a true Belgian Ale in1 beer. Relax a bit. Many barely depict the Belgian tradition (not disrespect to the brewery’s what so ever!) This brew howver sems to hit the nail on the head. It’s apparent that Brooklyn basically said.... "ok, lets brew a quality as close to belgian as possible......... and thats exactly what they did!! Fantastic aroma, flavor..etc. Not over the top in any one category. Great all around including the presentation of the 750ml bottle. One the nicest bottles I’ve sen and a great edition to the collection!!! Overall a quality replication of a very difficult style that many have tried and few fully succeeded!! Thanks Mr. Oliver and co.!!!!
Glazed9884 (207), USA
Aug 16, 2007 Golden color, somewhat murky. white head, dissipates but keeps nice layer. Citrus smell, bit of hops. Has a full-bodied taste, smooth mouthfeel. Strong taste and smooth aftertaste. No alocol burn which is shocking for 9%. Very good taste but nothing too exciting.
vikasdesai (12), USA
Jan 24, 2008 hazy appearance, nice foam, that disappears quickly making it easy to pour, wonderful aroma, a dry finish w/ no after taste, a truly wonderful local brew that rivals any belgian
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