Port Brewing Brother Levonian Saison

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Saison
San Marcos, California USA

Serve in Tulip

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750mL bottle, purchased at City Beer Store. Pours a clear, dulled light-copper color; golden edges; fluffy, textured, medium-bubbled off-white head with solid retention and mixed-bubbled lacing; attractive pour, generally. The aroma shows a lot of tropical fruit, passion fruit, and strongly suggests dry-hopping to me; significantly aromatic hop aroma, honeyed malts and fruity sweetness surrounding it; if the Belgian sugar here was turned down just a touch, and all drier, the aroma would be incredible. Medium body: creamy texture in the mouth, fluffy carbonation, and medium-light acidity; there’s a persistent, oily honey character that permeates every part of this beer, but thankfully the similarly oily tropical and passion fruit (I know that passion fruit is a tropical fruit, but it’s most prevalent here) hop bitterness carries through as well; there are some lovely vanilla notes and pleasant esters present here (bananas, most certainly; hints of clove phenols and other things), but the sweetness is just, again, a touch too much for the style and for my palate. That’s really the only detracting point here: lovely honeyed and estery maltiness, the hop character is gorgeous, dry hopping hugely appropriate, and creamy texture throughout. Greater attenuation, por favor. Lasting finish of honey and vanilla-tinged esters, tropical fruits; a pleasantly balanced ending.

In short: An authentic feeling saison with a rustic and citrusy character
How: Bottle 750ml. Consumed about 9 months after the beer was released. This bottle sent to me by kegbear. Thanks a whole lot Craig.
The look: Cloudy golden orange body topped by a medium off-white head with medium retention
In long: Nose has some floral notes, some fruity (orange, citru) notes but it mostly is very rustic and bright. Not really wild/barnyard and certainly not funky, just dusty attic rustic with rusty notes. My first glass was too sharp and disappointing but the beer really took off from the second glass when I started to get some yeast. I recommend mixing the yeast before pouring. Some sweetness in the malts upfront with 2/3 honey and 1/3 sweet dessert fruity like kiwi or something like that. Taste is also rather citrusy, strong Saison yeast character, light coriander note, wild flowers, a tiny spicy/peppery note in the hops. Finish is mildly dry, mildly bitter. Carbonation is body is very lively and feels authentic Belgian. Overall sensation of drinking an improved version of Fantôme Dalmatienne. Excellent beer yet strangely I was hoping for a little more from this top-rated American Saison. And a noble cause too with part of the proceeds going to a college fund for the surviving daughter of Dave Levonian. Brew it more regularly and sell it in my neighbourhood and she will be driving to college in a Porche.

Bottle thanks to TheCheeseman. Pours a cloudy light orange with a small white head. Aroma of brett, lemon, citrus, light fruits, dry hops. Flavor of brett, citrus, sweet malt, light spices with a dry finish. Easy drinking saison, very nice! Great beer! 7/4/8/4/15 [3.8/5]

750 ml bottle from South Bay Drugs (San Diego, CA). Pours a pretty hazy golden orange, fiery, a huge beige bubbly head that cakes and laces well, well carbonated and good liveliness. Aromas are a wonderful tangerine rind, fruity and tart, with some nice grainy malts, a touch of dusty farmhouse, hay, and grass. A touch of Belgian spicey yeast, with some decent fruity esters, some delicate florals, but not a major factor. Initial is a fairly good bitterness from the rind, fruity and citric tangerine, a touch tart, with some light pepper and Belgian yeast working onto the palate, slight spice, grainy malts and hay edge in with some decent fruity esters. The tangerine rind is very prominent, tart and bitter with a big element from the rind oils. This beer is very nice, tasty and good balance on the palate, light spice and heavy tangerine rind influence, as the malts come in and provide a base. Tasty!

On tap @ Lost Abbey tasting room. Vibrant 14 karat pour with a foamy white head that left a bit of lacing. Aroma is filled with fruit and bright citrus, accompanied by peppery spice and glass per the style. Almost got a crisp Granny Smith hint with grapefruit, orange peel, and lemon zest. Mild pepper bite and very little funk here but there is a bitterness in the finish. Medium to light mouthfeel. Really good brew.

Bottle thanks to smokepot23!
Hazy gold with a moderate, fizzy white head. Nose is surprisingly sweet with heavy fruit in tangerine and lemon, but there is also strong yeast and hints of pepper. A long finish highlights the rounded, yeasty flavor, which is framed by orange, pepper, and floral accents. The palate is world class, somewhat dry and decently thick but still light and vibrant thanks to the controlled carbonation. The only complaint is that it misses on the complex farmhouse element. Despite this, it is balanced on all accounts and is a supremely-crafted Saison.

Tasted this beer while on Beer Quest 2010 with the guys. This was beer number 83. Due to Andrew’s diligence and persuasive powers, the pub we were at double checked for this brew under Port and they found it. He is so awesome. Pours a golden Haze. Aroma has some fruitiness, ester, and wheat. Flavor is slightly lightly than expected. Strange finish of tomatoes.

Bottle from Coles in Buffalo, NY. Waitress couldn’t find this becuase listed under port and not lost abbey. Finally found and enjoyed. Subtle tomatoes, funky esters, a bit of orange fruit snack, dry. Taste is strawberry/orange, coriander, dry and chalky, bit of farmhouse funk.

Bottle thanks to ditmier. pours out a cloudy white topped with a sand head. Aroma was of sweetness, belg yeast, and spice. Taste more of the yeast, spice, and maltyness. Not to bad.

Bouteille de 750 ml, chez David et Catherine. Merci beaucoup David ! Arômes de levure rustique et de houblon herbacé et floral. Robe dorée, effervescence active et légère mousse. Très sèche et active en bouche, la levure montre de belles pointes épicées et fruitées. On remarque également une belle touche citronnée. Amertume assez forte de houblon herbacé. Y a-t-il une souche de brett dans cette bière ? Une saison exemplaire et vraiment excellente.