Saison de Pipaix

Brewed by Brasserie à Vapeur
Style: Saison
Leuze-Pipaix, Belgium

Serve in Tulip

A combination rating for two 1995 bottles bought at the same store at the same time and very much different from each other. Both bottles poured nearly the same, hazed coppery hue with a medium sized fizzy head which faded and left little lace.

One bottle had notes of musty yeast and cork, generic acidic fruit, pepper and peat, little depth. The flavors were muted and very oxidized with the black pepper and anise the dominate factor. A lot of sourness up front as well before fading to nothingness.

The other was brighter with notes of mint, green tea, hay, green apples, orange peel, ginger, and star anise. More subdued Saison character with the spices and flowery components in harmony. While a bit oxidized, it did not come off old tasting or as dry on the palate as the first bottle.

The beer is hit and miss so it seems, the overall rating for bottle #1 would be a 2.5 and for bottle #2 a 3.8. My rating is leaning towards the better aspects.

At first I thought this beer was bad due to its extreme lack of carbonation (almost completely flat) and sour and cardboardy taste (along with its 1995 label). Looking at other people’s ratings though, it seems this is quite normal! Doesn’t really come off as a saison at all: more like a gueuze lambic or such. Very drinkable though sour; barnyardy taste; sour apples; cardboard and funk. Can’t say I notice any of those spices listed in the description.

75cl bottle with a neck label from the importer indicating 1995 vintage. The cap was a little rusty and the cork underneath had some signs of seapage, but was tight and gave a slight pop on removal. Instant earthy aroma of sour apples even before pouring. The aroma just filled the room on pouring. A slight white head with continuous light effervescence. The flavor was tart but not sour, with earthy farmhouse flavors and a hint of vanilla to balance the acidity. A little cardboardy oxidation, but not bad considering that this beer probably wasn’t intended for aging - especially 10+ years.

(bottle - capped and corked 750 ml: 1995 vintage) Orange/amber pour with a surprising amount of carbonation considering its age. Aroma was nice and full of tart apples, champagne, farmhouse notes, and dried spices. Flavor was very earthy with a nice apple tartness underneath it all. The finish was very dry, like champagne. The saison qualities were all there mixed with a very nice and mellow farmhouse/champagne taste. Very good. We also tried the 2000 vintage. The only difference was it was a little more carbonated and a little more sharp in flavor. I prefer the older one. The age mellows is very nicely.

Bottle 750ml. golden copper w large offwhite head, min carb. Aroma is very complex of sweet/sour saison, mild fruit, mildly spicey fermenting forest floor and aged wood. Flavor is pushing med bodied, with traces of jasmine tea, mild spices, peat, old wood & aged fruit. Gently tart lingering finish. Delicate & refined but with an alluring mystique. Quite complex, I could have drank this forever. Must get some more.

750 ml bottle purchased at O’Briens and shared by BillK - thanks! Pours clear reddish amber with a creamy white head that leaves spotty lacing. Aroma is very interesting and complex, fruity, yet dry, a little funky with spiced apple, jasmine, sweet basil, hints of wood, tart notes and a distinctive metallic character. Dry, somewhat vinuous, dusty taste, cranberry, mint, tea and hints of wood. Medium body and creamy carbonation. Enjoyable in a unique and complex sort of way.

Oct 1996 bottle. When I uncapped this one a fine yeasty, cidery smelling mist came shooting out from around all sides of the cork. I guess 10 years in the bottle didn’t kill the carbonation. Pours a cloudy dark golden with a good sized white head. Aroma is very yeasty and a bit sour with light fruits. Taste is sour like a lambic with tart fruits. Lots of apple and not vinegary at all. Starts pretty full and finishes very dry with a little spicyness. Damn, that’s really good. After 10 years in the bottle I’m hard pressed to say it tastes anything like a saison, but it has turned into something excellent.

Lots of fruit aroma here.It pours a tranlucent golden color.Flavor was slightly citrus with some spices I cant place my finger on.It was semi sweet with a nice clean finish