Hopfenstark Saison Station 16 (de Seigle)

Brewed by Hopfenstark
Style: Saison
L’Assomption, Canada

On tap at Vices et Versa. Cloudy yellow, small white head. Really strong spice and floral aroma. Taste is very flavourful - tons of spice, more floral notes, medium to full bodied. A really satisfying fresh tasting saison.

Draught (6 oz. sample) at Vices et Versa, Montreal. Hazy golden colour. Lovely aroma of herbs, apricot, and an odd hint of whiskey - probably from the rye. Flavour is quite herbal as well, with notes of orange and lemon, a faint yeasty funkiness, and a hint of pepper in the finish. Very nice!

au fût au vices et versa, belle bière ambrée, nez de seigle, d’épices très raffinée, en bouche les épices dominent, très agréable, finale longue et épicée.

Verre de dégustation, provenant d’un fût, dégusté au Festival Bières et Saveurs 2007 (Chambly, QC). Arôme: Odeur fruité et d’épices. Apparence: La couleur est orangée complètement voilée. Présence d’un mince col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût d’orange légèrement amer et d’épices. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Légère présence d’épices en arrière goût. (Rating #1211)

Sampled draught at the Mondial, Montreal (May 2007). Opaque apricot in color, little head, no real lacing....apricots in the nose as well, at first the fruitiness dominates but a bit of earthy funk works its way in eventually....body starts out rather too sweet, dries out a bit midpalate, gets a bit mineralic and salty to finish....somewhat "dirty" or rough on the palate and too sweet and syrupy overall, too much fruit-sugar....drinkable, but a disappointment.

On Tap at Mondial.
Bright orange, copper with creamy ring on top. Neat hue.3+
Good rich, ripe fruity nose, Soft rye character blended with other notes, Fruity, rich grainy nose.
Wheat and rye in blend, strong fruity notes, soft, sweet finish. Pleasant ale to have.

Modiale 2007. A little white head on cloudy orange. Appealing aroma of spice and yeast. Taste is great, fortified with rye, a good saison in a great style. Sourness in the finish. Good medium plus mouthfee. Lace in the glass. Refreshing. Had it again in 2008 and was not as enticing.

Considering the style, Scores ranging from 1 to 5, 5 being the most intense
Appearance:
Body:   Clear(1)->Murky(5) : 4     Pale Yellow(1)->Copper(5) : 4     Still(1)->Volcanic Sparkling(5) : 2
Head:   None(1)->Large(5) : 3     Lasting: 2     Lacing : 2
Aroma:
Intensity : 3  
Yeast : 3   Bread : 2   Dough : 4   Esters : 2   Phenols : XX   Dusty : XX   Spicy : 2   Apple : XX   Banana : 2   Tropical Fruits : XX   Brett : XX   Barnyard : XX   Leather : XX   Wood : XX   Vinous : XX   Cheese : XX   DMS : XX   Diacetyl : XX Sulfur : XX
Malt : 3   Pilsner : XX   Pale : XX   Vienna : XX   Biscuity : 3   Toasty : 2   Hay : XX   Caramel : XX   Honey : XX   Cereals : 3   Grainy : 3   Wheat : XX
Hops : 2   Noble(1)->American(5) : 1   Leafy : 2   Perfume : 2   Orange : 2   Floral : XX   Lemon/Lime : XX   Herbal : XX   Grassy : XX   Piney : XX
Notes : Pepper : 2   Cloves : XX   Coriander : 3   Ginger : XX   Orange : 4   Earth : XX   Vanilla : XX   Oxidation : XX   Bubblegum : XX
Flavor:
Initial Flavor : Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 3   Finish Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 3   Sourness : 1   Acetic : XX   Lactic : XX   Bitterness : 2   Farmy : XX   Complex : 1   Length : XX
Palate:
Light(1)->Full(5) : 5   Flat(1)->Fizzy(5) : 3   Clean : 1   Sharp : XX   Watery : XX   Oily : 4   Chalk : XX   Astringent : XX   Alcohol : XX   Mineral : XX

Comments: A rather chewy example with the rye’s uniform mouthfeel. Interesting beer per se, but it lacks a bit the freshness I appreciate in the style which sounds rather ironic as Hopfenstark’s beers always feel hugely fresh. How I mean it, possibly a paler grain profile, more pointy, sharp hops and less overall thickness would ease the drinkability. To their defense, their blonde already does awesome in that department.