New Belgium Saison

Brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

Serve in Tulip

Aroma: hay, grass, weeds, farmhouse, light cream, honey, summer
Appearance: light murky yellow, large white head, lacing
Flavor: some cloves, light bananas, malts, grass/hay, light mint, coriander
Palate: smooth, soft, biting mint-grass aftertaste

UPDATED: DEC 18, 2006 Draught at GABF and Falling Rock, GABF 2005 weekend. Pours a brassy, lightly chill-hazed copper-gold, with none of the samples having a well-retained head. Some wispy spots of lace remain on the edges, but nothing spectacular for appearance, by any means. Aroma is severely dry, grainy and filled with bitter, borderline astringent herbs and spices. The lavendar, while nice, is about the only pleasant thing going on here. The Belgian yeast is soft, moderately fruity (lemons, oranges, pears). Fairly mysterious aroma does not allow much of a glimpse of what is to come, other than to foretell much dryness! And dry in flavor it is. Biscuity, husky, grainy malts and a moderate carbonation, with lemons and old toast. Wheat keeps the body very dry, and the mouthfeel smooth and uninspired. As it warms, I think it would be incorrect to say that it gets sweet. It gets sort of oily-tart, with a bittersweet sort of thing going on. Almost like oxidation, though without the sherry notes. Another challenging beer to describe. Mouthfeel is lively, with the wheat adding some pleasant aspects, but the carbonation is not tight, nor is the beer substantial. Seems too filtered even on draught. Strange.

Fully diminishing white head covers the clear golden hue. Faint cookie malts appear surprisingly husky, fruity while the yeast dominate the flavour fight through its estery nature. A good dose of spices (vanilla, coriander, ginger) contribute a majority of the aromatic component while the palate hereby becomes more vinous, à la white wine and thus tannic, tart and citric. Poor example for a special from such a talented brewer.

GABF 2005: Golden hue with a fizzy lasting head and okay lace. The aroma has notes of flowery yeast esters, lavender, cardamom, and coriander. Some tart fruits (apple and grape) and sweet malt as well. The taste start twangy and earthy with a mild spice and wheat background. The feel is lively, clean, and very refreshing. Mikey likey. Is it a great Saison, no but it isn’t bad either.

Tap at brewery. Some banana and chamomille on the nose. Taste-sweet, mild, lotion, some plastic smoke. Not bad, but not a great example of the style.

Pour is slightly hazed golden yellow with a thin bright white head...smell is corriander, vanilla, yeast, sugar sweetness...taste is sweet with some lemon peel, corriander, and yeast...finish is sweet...too sweet...I don’t like sweet saisons...

After having a deluxe tour of NB was directed to a nice sandwich shop and had this on tap. Even after having so many beers this one shone through. Full bodied, fruity, estery and just plain GOOD.

This beer kicks ass. I do have to admit I am a big saison fan and this beer is true to style. Much better the NBB’s old saison. Golden and hazy very effervescent and yummy spice. Top Notch.