Rating: 5/5
Ngongo by TheBruery Terreux is a 7.2% Saison Farmhouse Ale
We teamed with our friends at New Zealand-based Garage Project for this refreshing oak foeder-aged saison as part of our Foeders with Friends series. Called Ngongo (the Maori word for “nectar” and “honey”), this saison features lemon balm, chamomile and New Zealand wildflower honey, plus California wildflower honey for bottle conditioning
Funky, fruity, farmhouse and citrusy goodness
Rating: 4.75/5
Songbird Saison by Tallgrass brewing is a 4.8% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/ Saison
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Tart and refreshing with citrus notes and a light, dry finish, this dry-hopped Belgian-style saison takes flight with unique hop aromas and flavors. With an ABV of 4.8%, Songbird will make an excellent table beer or a go-to for a lazy Sunday.
==Introduction==
Thanks to my friend Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com for sending me this refreshing brew along with other awesome Tallgrass brewing beers which I have reviewed so far. This time, we bring forth a saison. It is always good to know that Tallgrass is definitely differentiating itself with their different types of brews which I think really helps the brewery grow. So far, every beer I have tried that I have not tried before from them has been amazing. Let’s see if the saison also does wonders, cheers!
Aromas:
Peppercorns, lemon zest, biscuit bread, Stone fruit peach, apricot, hibiscus flowers, waffle cone hints, cane sugar, blonde candi sugar, banana, phenolic notes, clove spice hints, biscuit bread, farmhouse hay, tropical fruit hints and herbal notes.
Flavors:
Stone fruit peach, apricot, sour apples, peppercorns, lemon zest, grapefruit peel, wheat bread, floral, earthy and herbal hops, Tropical fruit mango, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, orange preserves, biscuit bread, farmhouse hay, banana, phenolic notes, clove spice hints, hibiscus flowers, waffle cone hints, cane sugar, blonde candi sugar and Danish cream.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with stone fruits, farmhouse hay, peppercorns, earthy hop notes, clove spice, tropical fruit hints and Belgian candi sugar notes. No alcohol in the taste, pale golden light body, crisp, clean and refreshing mouthfeel and easy to drink.
Overall:
A very delicious saison. It is pretty solid showcasing many of the great flavors that come from saisons but bringing in its twist of things. Not too funky and fruitier and refreshing than other saisons. I think this one would be very appealing to average drinker. Worthy of recommendation.
Anime Corner:
Weiss Schnee from RWBY was chosen in this beer because she fits well with the colors of the label and the theme of the beer. Songbird and the music notes works a Weiss is also a singer. Her white and blue colors pair well with the label as well.
Sources:
https://images4.alphacoders.com/638/thumb-1920-638382.png
http://img14.deviantart.net/9353/i/2013/050/5/9/weiss_by_baka_kiiro-d5vkw4e.jpg
Rating: 4.5/5
À Tout Le Monde collaboration by Unibroue and MegaDeth is a 4.5% ABV Canadian Saison/ Farmhouse ale brewed with spices and Dry hopped.
Commercial Description:
A new beer from Unibroue born of the friendship between its Brewmaster Jerry Vietz and Dave Mustaine, legendary lead vocalist and founder of heavy metal group Megadeth, is officially launching today in the U.S. and Quebec. Named À TOUT LE MONDE as a nod to one of the band’s songs and one of their biggest hits in Quebec, this beer recalls the consonance of Unibroue’s flagship beer, La Fin du Monde.
Dave Mustaine became friends with Jerry Vietz during Megadeth tours in Quebec. During their time together, Dave and Jerry created À TOUT LE MONDE as a symbol of their friendship. “At Unibroue, we appreciate flavour – and we know Megadeth is anything but boring,” explains Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster at Unibroue. “To Megadeth’s delight and that of their fans and connoisseurs, we’re offering an uncompromising beer with rich hoppy aromas, created according to Dave’s personal tastes.”
“Our shared passion for excellence produced a one-of-a-kind saison beer,” added Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s lead vocalist and founder. “I’m thrilled to present this new beer to my fans, and everyone who loves good beers with character.”
À TOUT LE MONDE ale is a flavorful Belgian style dry hopped golden saison with hoppy and spicy notes. Topped by an unctuous head, this beer will give fans a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting to take another sip.
==Introduction==
À Tout Le Monde or “For all the world or everyone” is inspired by the actual song in MegaDeth’s 1994 album, Youthanasia. This is the first time MegaDeth joins the craft beer scene after several awesome bands like AC/DC, Iron Maiden and many others worked to release their own brews. This choice to release something light was chosen as it would appeal to the massed. Basically something you can drink a lot of and still enjoy. It seems like a great choice and now that the beer is here on the site, let’s see what this awesome stuff is about. Cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruit peaches, apricots, pepper corn, Herbal, Floral, spicy, earthy and tropical hops, coriander hints, lavender, farmhouse hay, biscuit bread and honey.
Flavors:
Herbal, Floral, spicy, earthy and tropical hops, peppercorn spice, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, mango, farmhouse hay, lavender, banana notes, honey, biscuit bread, wheat, vanilla, lemon zest, clove spices, sour apple notes, cane sugar hints, coriander notes and cranberry hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes semi dry rich with notes of Stone fruits, biscuit bread, herbal, floral and earthy hops. No alcohol in the taste, hazy pale yellow medium body, crisp, clean, refreshing and effervescent mouth feel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A very good saison that has many of the awesome flavors you would find from many of the great saisons out there. While I think it does not bring anything new that I haven’t had before, this one is still awesome and delicious. I would definitely say this one is a good gateway representative and definitely something many people will enjoy, especially since it is Megadeth after all. Find this one, especially if you are a fan.
Anime Corner:
Sakuya Izayoi from Touhou Project and Vic Rattlehead from Megadeath were used in this pairing as I was definitely trying to search for Megadeth and anime. Long behold, I found these to be tagged with Megadeth on them. First, since Vic is in the label and second, Sakuya relates to it as she has the guitar and she stands in front of the lyrics “Never Walk Alone” and “Call to Arms”.
Sources:
http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/155/816/00b6f66b4302028ff09a6b784c01bdcd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tjz9tjZ.jpg
http://i2.ruliweb.com/img/16/07/31/1563f74b4f646c91a.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pq8bV3I.jpg
Rating: 4.25/5
Au Revoir Shoshanna by El Borracho brewing is a 5.25% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed with chamomile, lemon grass and orange peels.
Label:
None
==Introduction==
The fall has hit and my friend William has been busy prepping some new line of beers for the colder season. To start, he ended up brewing this saison in reference to a French quote in one of his favorite movies, Inglorious Basterds. For being his first saison, he added several ingredients to the brew. The use of chamomile, lemongrass and orange peel seems very fitting as many breweries use different types of herbs and flowers to make some saisons.
Aromas:
Herbal, Lemongrass, oregano, peppercorn, chamomiles, citrus, farmhouse hay, funky must, green tea, apple hints, stone fruit, grapes and biscuit bread.
Flavors:
Citrus, Orange peel, grapefruit, chamomile, green tea, basil, oregano, biscuit bread, banana, clove spice, peppercorn, sage, tangerine gummies, musty grapes, tejuino hints, floral notes of lavender, hibiscus, black tea, lemons, lemon peel, honey, agave, apple hints, stone fruit peach, apricot notes, vanilla, grassy and earthy hop notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with rich herbal notes of chamomile, orange, grapefruit, vanilla, honey, earthy hop and stone fruit hints. No alcohol in the taste, Clear to medium honey colored hazy body, crisp, refreshing, smooth and effervecent mouthfeel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very delicious saison with unique herbal flavors. As the beer warms up more of the chamomile is released creating an orange and herbal tea of sweet and funky farmhouse flavors. I do find it an interesting choice as my friend will is not fond of saisons some of the times but what he has here is very definitive of the style and complex like the delicious saisons from Monkish brewing or Jester King too. I hope he makes more of these!
Anime Corner:
Original character by Azuma Syoujuan was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to gather similar colors but also the focus on chamomile in the beer. As you can see, you have the green for lemongrass and the overall orange theme works for the orange peel and the honey colored beer. In reference to the name, it is interesting how in the scene where Landa is about to shoot Shoshanna who is running through a field filled with similar colors and let’s her go uttering the words. The piece of art work I chose denotes the similarities in the scene like the flying of birds or swimming of fish as the action of running and the way sound of awesome music runs through the air mimicking that of the scene of freedom as one slips into bliss. So synonymous of the scene where essentially he had to choose between 2 freedoms. Freedom via Death for Shoshanna or Freedom to let her live. The beer has a meaning of its own where the consumption of the saison frees one of problems. Say Goodbye to your inhibitions!
Rating: 4.25/5
2016 Saixon by The Bruery Terreux is a 6.7% ABV Belgo-German Saison/Farmhouse ale brewed with Hallertau, Opal and Mandarina Bavarian Hops and Brettanomyces
Label:
Crisp – Spicy – Worldly
Saixon is a saison – not a typo. But it’s different. The saison style traces its origin back to Wallonia, the predominantly French-speaking (and bordering) region of Belgium. We asked ourselves what the style would be like if the pendulum swung East and took root closer to the German border of Belgium. And then we brewed it. Presupposition meets new inspiration in this Belgo-German hybrid. In addition to the dry, crisp and funky notes you’d associate with the classic saison style – and the wildly traditional use of Brettanomyces, Saixon also features three generations of German hops: old school (Hallertau Mittlefruh), second wave (Opal), and new school (Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertau Blanc). Santé? Prost? Cheers!
==Introduction==
Released to all societies including some to the public at the Bruery’s online store (the bruerystore.com), this is the bruery’s attempt at a Farmhouse Ale/ Saison but using German hops. It is a different take on the rustic style that many including myself enjoy very well. German beers have a very special place for me and to have a German inspired saison is a great way to take stuff into a new realm for both countries to complement. With that being said, let’s see how this one is, cheers.
Aromas:
Peppercorn, stone fruit apricot, plum, mango notes, funky farmhouse notes, mild tropical notes, vanilla, waffle cone, banana hints, citrusy, grassy and herbal hops, floral notes and mild clove spice.
Flavors:
Funky farmhouse hay, banana, clove spice, farmhouse hay, peppercorn, sea salt, floral hibiscus, chamomile, waffle cone, biscuit bread, lemon peel, stone fruit apricot, plum, mango notes, oranges, citrusy, grassy and herbal hops, white grapes, vanilla, honey, mint, coriander spice, basil, tropical fruit hints of pineapple, passion fruit and dragon fruit.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with stone fruit notes, lemon peel, spicy, herbally, hoppy and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, golden hazy medium body, crisp, refreshing and effervescent mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very good saison show casing a lot of the crisp and clean tasting flavors of the German hops with the rustic Belgian inspired flavors of the saison. Something that is not super complex or super funky but right down the middle of the road and yet very different. Definitely worth a try.
Anime Corner:
Matsumoto Rangiku from Bleach was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of both Belgium and Germany. The Orange and yellow from her hair and the black of her Hakama. It was a simple choice as the beer is Belgian and German inspired and since I haven’t used Matsumoto in a beer pairing in a long time, I figure it was about time then.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/ZW20MtI.jpg
http://76.72.168.19/images/2015-04-12-726521.jpeg
http://static.zerochan.net/full/19/33/19169.jpg
Rating: 5.75/6
Passionate Dragon collaboration by Bottle Logic and Arizona Wilderness brewing is an 8.8% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/Saison brewed with Passion fruit, Dragon Fruit, Centennial Kumquats and aged in Red&White Wine Barrels.
Label:
Level 1 Limited
Brewed in collaboration with our bearded brethren at Arizona Wilderness Brewing, Co. This Saison boasts 6 different locally sourced fruit varietals plus heritage Sonoran white wheat and local harvested Arizona bay leaves.
#Science + #Nature = #Passion! End Transmission.
==Introduction==
Dragonfruit has been one of those elusive and exotic fruits that really don’t get around much as like let’s say cherries or bananas. Neither does Passion fruit and usually is why the price of these fruits is higher than common fruits. So, since I like rarity, a beer with these 2 fruits is definitely something I would want to try. Heck, the use of these fruits has inspired me to make a beer using them. I like to take stuff a step beyond but only time will tell how it will be. Either way, this is a dragon and passion fruit beer that really intrigued me so the fact that I was able to bring it to the site is such an honor. I hear this one was well coveted and to get this one was not an easy feat. Let’s see if it stands to my expectations.
Aromas:
Rich Dragon Fruit, Passion fruit, Stone fruit tart apricot, mango, kiwi fruit, honey dew melon, prickly pears, lemon, farmhouse hay, white wine grapes, red wine grapes, musty oak, Apples, Kumquats, Crab Apples, Oranges, Cranberries, yerba buena, mint, peppercorn, bay leaf, basil, persimmon, cane sugars, tangerine preserves and peppercorn.
Flavors:
Rich Dragon Fruit, Passion fruit, white wine grapes, red wine grapes, musty oak, Apples, Kumquats, Crab Apples, Oranges, Cranberries, Stone fruit tart apricot, mango, kiwi fruit, honey dew melon dryness, lemon, farmhouse hay, Chardonnay, Raspberries, Blueberries, pine apple hints, biscuit bread, vanilla, herbal notes, yerba buena, mint, peppercorn, bay leaf, basil, lychee fruit, tangerine preserves, strawberries, persimmon and cane sugar.
Aftertaste:
Finishes tart dry with lingering oak, tropical fruits like that dragon fruit, raspberries, farmhouse hay, oak, vanilla and citrus. No alcohol in the taste. Gold and pink clear body, crisp, refreshing and mildly creamy mouthfeel and easy to drink despite the ABV.
Overall:
Damn exceptional! Probably one of the best saisons I have ever had. The exotic fruits really stand out on this beer and this brew being a template for the Dragon beer I’m making, I can come back to this one and see if the addition of the passion fruit and dragon fruit really makes a difference. I highly recommend this one. It’s the kind of beer you want to keep drinking all the time!
Anime Corner:
Leona Heidern from King of Fighters, Astaroth and Asmodeus from Shinra Bansho were used in this pairing to pair with the aspect of the Dragon in terms of the color of pink dragon fruits, passion fruit being the heart of Astaroth and the dragon like characteristics of both Asmodeus and Astaroth. Really, I just wanted to be able to pair the 2 demon girls with an awesome dragon beer. Leona was a Bonus with the nice dragon fruit colors. Oh and in that red haired mode, she unleashes a lot of rage, she is, the passionate dragon.
Sources:
https://k42.kn3.net/taringa/1/3/2/4/1/8/7/iruel/E41.jpg?4691
http://i.imgur.com/kLTVw1M.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNr13QnXAAAW0F1.jpg
Rating: 5.5/6
Matt’s Burning Rosids (1.5 years aged) by Stone Brewing is a 10.5% ABV Imperial CherryWood Smoked Saison.
Label:
Honoring His Memory
Matt Courtright
Life is extraordinarily precious, joyous…and fragile. In 2013, we suffered the tragic loss of our dear friend and coworker, Matt Courtright. In the midst of our grief, we pulled together as the family we are, suggesting and exploring numerous ways to pay tribute to our dearly departed colleague. In the end, we felt there was no finer way to honor his memory than to brew one of his most recent and special beer recipes.
Everyone at Stone recognized Matt’s prowess and passion for brewing. He loved to explore all beer could be, rather than limit himself or his brews to accepted parameters. He conceived a Belgian-style saison with his Stone friend and compatriot, Brian Bishop. Infused with cherrywood-smoked malt, the beer was dubbed Burning Rosids, referencing the rosid plant family from which cherry trees hail.
Matt’s smile and voluminous laugh were infectious mainstays around the brewery. By no means a shrinking violet, he was exuberant, courageous, unfailingly positive and the type of stalwart friend that everyone was happy to have in their corner. He was larger than life in so many ways…and without a doubt, an incredible brewer. We, Matt’s brewing comrades and friends at Stone were proud to hoist our mash paddles and brew this recipe as a symbolic gesture of how much he meant to everyone and how immensely we will miss him.
Rather than regarding Burning Rosids as a somber memento, please think of it as a celebration of Matt. We do. When you drink this very special beer, please join us in raising your glass, both in Matt’s memory and in tribute to everything he so passionately stood for: caring for others, passion and skill for his art, and laughter…lots of laughter. Among the long list of things he held dear were GoDesignInc.org, a charity committed to fulfilling the architectural needs of developing communities around the world; and TKF, a non-profit working to stop youth violence by educating, mentoring and making positive impacts on high-risk communities. We are proudly contributing funds earned through the sale of this beer to this worthy organization in Matt’s honor.
Enjoy, and please remember that life and those we hold dear are precious gifts to be cherished every day. Consider sharing this beer, conversations on life’s passions and, again, lots of laughter, with good friends as we remember ours.
Stonebrewing.com/BurningRosids
==Introduction==
Picked this one up as it is no longer brewed. I love that it is still around in some locations. Never got a chance to do a review but since I do remember how good this one was back then, I wanted to do the review. It is a special beer in honor of someone who lived and died for their passion, which was craft brewing. Many would say how they die by the sword as an honor to serve the greater purpose. Life is short and the meaning is to live for something you love. In this modern society case, we live and breathe craft beer and share with our loved ones our passion for what the craft beer movement really stands for. So much so, that as for me, trying different beers, to reviewing them and now home brewing to share that passion and educate others is something that I really do love. Everyone has something they cherish. Well, for me, my family and friends are very important, but also share the love Anime and Craftbeer. So to bring this beer forth and review but also reflect on life and its own treasures of the senses and experience, I can simply just raise that glass and say cheers to life, to Matt and all other passionate people that really work hard to make that difference in people’s life for even the smallest influence and contribution changes the world for the better. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich honey, orange preserves, orange peel, tangerine marmalade, floral notes like lavender, hibiscus, roses, sakura cake, rich stone fruit peaches, peach nectar, apricots, mango hints, bananas, clove spice, peppercorn, coriander spice, lemon notes, rye bread, toffee, butterscotch, dulce de leche caramel, phenolic notes, candy sugar, maple syrup, guava quince cheese (Membrillo), butterscotch and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Rich Honey, honeysuckle, sakura cake, rich stone fruit peaches, peach nectar, apricots, mango hints, bananas, clove spice, peppercorn, smokey notes, plum sauce, mild tartness, Tejuino hints, white raisins, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dark cherries, waffle cone, marshmallows, grapefruit, oranges, coriander spice, lemon notes, rye bread, toffee, butterscotch, floral notes of lavender, raw like the sun orange preserves on toasted biscuit bread, Rich tangerine marmalade, guava quince cheese (Membrillo), dulce de leche caramel, phenolic notes, candy sugar, maple syrup and Mexican sweet bread.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with some smokey notes, stone fruit peach, orange preserves, earthy notes, grapefruit and floral hops and bananas. No alcohol in the taste as it has mellowed over time, easy to moderate drinkability, creamy, syrupy and a Golden Cherry light to medium body.
Overall:
1 year and a half later and this beer is damn phenomenal. So much more richer flavors than when I first tried it on tap sometime last year. The rich phenolic flavors of the Belgian styles, Saisons along with the smokiness that brings about delicious flavors that developed overtime. Essentially, giving way to much stronger fruits and flowers. Much like the way the flowers blossom when they are ripe. This is very delicious and if you ever find more of this beer, it is worth saving a couple of bottles. In Matt’s memory, he would have loved this beer. Cheers to you Matt!
Anime Corner:
Vocaloid Sakura Miku was used in this pairing for the Cherry blossoms/Sakura aspect of the flavors and cherry wood. I have not used this Cherry version of Miku as I never knew it existed. My original pairing for the beer was mainly to be something with cherries, the forest or even burning rosids. I found this artwork as I feel it pairs the best. Very lighthearted, innocent but yet power and delicious like the beer and the tribute to Matt.
Sources:
http://img4q.duitang.com/uploads/item/201404/05/20140405212216_QmzfH.png
Rating: 4.65/5
Sunrise Prayer Saison by Avila Ales is a 6% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/Saison.
==Introduction==
Partial base wort was brewed using brewing equipment at Monkish for the “Monster Home brew Event” back in June 2015. The idea was to create a base pale wort using the equipment at Monkish brewing. Each person would get 5 gallons (or 10 or more depending on how much you would pay) from this concoction you would take it home add to the wort to change the style completely to more than 10 different styles of beer. For the second batch, my friend Richard Avila brewed a saison. Thanks to his donation, now we can take a look at a different perspective of a different style using the same Monkish wort but made as a saison. Cheers.
Aromas:
Bubblegum, Bananas, waffle cone, honey comb Biscuit bread, vanilla, Belgian Candy sugar, oranges, citrus, lemon peel, tangerine gummy hints, clove spice, stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, mango hints and Danish cream hints.
Flavors:
Bananas, Clove spice, Belgian bread, lemon peel, farmhouse hay, bubble gum, stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, mango hints, white grapes, peppercorn, wafflecone, honeycomb, coriander spice, Belgian Candy sugar, oranges, citrus, lemon peel, tangerine gummy hints, vanilla and Danish cream hints.
Aftertaste:
Stone fruits, banana, coriander, clove spice, tropical hints and Belgian candy in the aftertaste.
No alcohol in the taste, clear gold straw body, smooth, crisp, refreshing and sweet mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Very awesome saison definitely close to the awesomeness of the French speaking Belgian inspired farm house ale. This beer was better than the pale ale. I am not sure if it is the original wort or the fact that part was made in a Belgian inspired brewery but the style is very delicious and reminiscent of the Saison. Great job to my friend even if the wort seemed a little off due to the way it may have been made but he managed to make it a very delicious Belgian saison. Cheers!
Anime Corner:
Saber from Fate Stay Night was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair a character that has similar attire to a nun to pair with the Abbey style but also the name of the beer. In this setting, Saber prays as the sunrises in the background. The golden color of the beer pairs with the sun rays and her hair but also the flavors and the style pair with the great effort of Belgian Monasteries that brew beer in the name of the lord. Lots of work and dedication to the craft.
Rating: 6/5
2015 Reserve Series Maggie’s Blackberry Cobbler by Terrapin is a 8.55% ABV Imperial farmhouse Ale/Saison brewed with Graham crackers and Blackberry.
Label:
Maggie’s Blackberry Cobbler Imperial Farmhouse Ale is made with fresh blackberries and graham crackers for a taste you won’t soon forget. Reminiscent of the smell in Granny’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon, this beer is liquid dessert for any home-cooked meal.
Cheers!
Spike & John
==Introduction==
While picking up the Liquid Lunch beer, I saw this one and I got nostalgic about Terrapin’s White Chocolate Moohoo. I remember how it blew my mind away similar to White Chocolate from the Bruery. The other thing too is that Terrapin makes some damn extraordinary beers that we don’t see here except for maybe Ramirez Liquor like the Moohoo milk. I want to see the Liquid bliss here which was my very first peanut butter stout. Sure, many make peanut butter stouts now a days but that one was my first. So yes, lot’s of love for Terrapin. The fact that they managed to make a beer so damn special it was like a Blackberry Cobbler, this I had to see for myself. Let’s slice up this pie and see what each spoonful of good dessert this is like. Cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit Rasins, plums, figs, Rich blackberries, cherries, currants, brown sugar, cinnamon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, rich bananas, clove spice, pecan pie, graham crackers, marshmallow smores, Blackberry Ice cream on banana pecan pie, orange gummy bear hints, Irish cream, cookie dough ice cream, hints of hazelnut nectar, blackberry bread pudding and blackberry cheesecake, stone fruit apricot hints, sweet peaches, cinnamon apples, cherry cobbler hints, coriander spice, citrus and lavender.
Flavors:
Rich bananas, clove spice, dark fruits like cherries, Rich blackberries, currants, black cherries, plums, figs, graham crackers, marshmallow smores, Blackberry Ice cream on banana pecan pie, prailines, dulce de leche hints, peppercorns, hay hints, concorde grape tart skin hints, flan, brown sugar, vanilla, pumpkin hints, molasses, stone fruit apricot hints, sweet peaches, cinnamon apples, cherry cobbler hints, coriander spice, citrus, rich floral lavender, orange gummy bear hints, Irish cream, cookie dough ice cream, hints of hazelnut nectar, blackberry bread pudding and blackberry cheesecake.
Aftertaste:
Lots of Blackberries notes, tart cherry skins, rich banana covered caramel, coriander and clove spice, cinnamon notes, stone fruit and dark fruit,earthy notes and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, crimson amber medium body, creamy, silky, smooth mouthfeel and a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Love me some dessert beers! This one was quite the exceptional one tasting damn close to a banana cream and rich blackberry pie. It was very reminiscent of a German Dunkel, a Doppelbock or a Belgian dubbel but with the rich notes of the graham crackers and the blackberries this one skyrockets a lot of what I believed these great beers possessed to that sweet berry tooth level. Using graham crackers huh? Makes me think about some fall brew ideas lol. Either way, get this one right away before it is long gone. I really loved this one.
Anime Corner:
Roxie from the Pokemon was used in this pairing as I wanted to get the complex colors of Blackberries and the aspect granny with the whole white hair although she is young. The Black aspect is the Heavy Metal and the guitar. The colors she pushes forward is the passion and complexity that exist with this beer as well as the flavors of the complexity. Lot’s or love for this beer and lots of dessert flavors abound.
Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2012-04-19-493109.jpeg
Rating: 4.85/5
Forgotten Tales of the Last Gypsy Blender Series 1 Volume 1 collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Celina Tio is a 5.7% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/ Saison brewed with mango and tamarind and a touch of rye aged in oak barrels.
Label:
A JP collaboration with Celina Tio, Chef/Owner of Julian and the Belfry in Kansas City, MO.
Chef Tio and I designed this beer together through a running series of texts while planning a beer dinner . We would hold at her place in Kansas city.
Wandering Conversations detailing layers of flavors flew fast and jumbled through the ethersphere
I think we will become great friends – I wrote. And We did. She came to Dexter ad we brewed this beer together.
Laurie Jokes and now insists Celina and I must be long lost brother and sister.
Enjoy This Beer!
Ron Jeffries
Founder and Chief Squeegee operator.
==Introduction==
A new beer from Jolly Pumpkin! Their sours are the best and what really got me into trying sours back when I first started trying different beers. Since JP focuses on sours and saisons, they have perfected their craft better than other breweries have at least from what I can tell. Now a days, there are other awesome dedicated sour/saison breweries but back then, this was and I still think is king. This beer I bring here is made with mangoes and tamarind. First time I had tried a beer with tamarind and I can already see how delicious this could potentially be with the even Tajin seasoning. Let’s check it out, cheers!
Aromas:
wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, Rich Mango, Tamarind hints, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, peppercorn spice, sage, farmhouse hay, white wine grape hints, tart cherry notes, lemon peel, tart lemon zest, lemon, wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, honey, waffle cone and honeysuckle flowers.
Flavors:
Rich Mango, Tamarind hints, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, peppercorn spice, sage, farmhouse hay, white wine grape hints, tart cherry notes, hints of cherry cobbler, lemon peel, tart lemon zest, honey, waffle cone, honeysuckle, wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, oak, biscuit bread, vanilla, wheat bread, lemon dipped tangerine and rye bread.
Aftertaste:
Stone fruit with mango, biscuit bread, oak, tart cherry notes, and white grapes finishing dry. No alcohol in the taste, Hazy Golden Body, Crisp, refreshing smooth and bubbly mouthfeel with a easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
I loved this one! A very good sour with lots of fruity notes especially those from the mango and tamarind which I have not seen in a sour before. They really managed to pull it off very well with this beer and is very enjoyable sour that is not only in the sour presence but also in the rich fruit presence. Definitely worth a try!
Anime Corner:
Ruby from RWBY was used in this pairing to be the cloaked girl in the pic under the moonlight. The colors, flavors and presentation overall is awesome! I figured it was the great pic to represent the tamarind and fruit presence of the sour. Ruby is just the girl to bring some of that fruity tartness here.
Sources:
http://wallpapershacker.com/wallpaper/boots_snow_cross_scythe_redheads_moon_hd-wallpaper-3031955.jpg
Rating: 4.75/5
Three-Eyed Raven by Game of Thrones and Ommegang is a 7.2% ABV Dark Saison/Farmhouse Ale.
Label:
FROM THE DARKNESS I WATCH YOU. ALL OF YOU, ALL OF YOUR LIVES, WITH A THOUSAND EYES, AND ONE. ABIDING IN THE SHADOWS OF THIS DARK SAISON LIE BEGUILING AND ENTRANCING AROMAS AND FLAVORS – GIRDED BY CRISP, LASTING HERBAL HOP NOTES, AND A YEASTY, SPICY FINISH. POUR SLOWLY, TO NOT DISTURB YEAST SEDIMENT, BUT WITH VIGOR TO MAKE A LUXURIOUS HEAD AND FREE BOUQUET.
==Introduction==
Obtained this one at the local Total Wine and More by my work place. This is the 5th beer in the line of Game of Thrones beers brewed by Ommegang for the fans of the show. Personally I have not seen the show and need to find some time to do so as I do find plenty of time to drink and review some of these specials beers after all. This one is a Dark Saison or Farmhouse Ale. The only thing that I have had close to a dark saison could be what is the Folklore Belgian Stout from Stillwater Artisanal but that is not true as those are also more complex and roasty. A dark saison seems like something very unique. Well, since I have never had a dark saison, let us see how close to a regular saison it is.
Aromas:
Phenolic bananas and biscuit notes, clove and peppercorn spices, Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherry, grapes, rock candy, candi sugar, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, roasted barley, coffee cake hints, brown sugar, dark chocolate, farmhouse notes and stone fruit hints.
Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherry, grapes, banana, clove spices, peppercorns, Lavender, farmhouse hay, dark chocolate, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, roasted barley, spicy hops, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, Belgian candi sugar, brown sugar and rock candy and port wine hints.
Aftertaste:
Peppercorns, clove spice, dark chocolate, dark fruits, lavender, farmhouse hay and caramel. No alcohol in the taste, moderate drinkability, creamy and full mouthfeel and a thick dark crimson body.
Overall:
A very good Saison which actually borderlines a Dark Belgian Ale. Somehow it keeps of those saison characteristics but brings in some of the awesome Banana, dark fruit, caramel and phenolic flavors typically found in quads, Belgian Dark ales or even some Belgians Stouts. I truly think of all the 5 in the Game of throne series beers by Ommegang, this one is possibly my favorite. I would definitely recommend it if you love Belgian ales. Cheers!
Anime Corner:
Raven from Teen Titans was used in this pairing as I wanted to find a character from anime, or in this case comics, that would pair with the way the Three-Eyed Raven looks in the show. Always in darkness and in cloak. The most obvious was Raven from the Teen Titans as she has those looks and also the 3 eyed part can be seen as she has her regular 2 eyes and the red jewel on her forehead used as a bindi which can be seen as the Ajna Chakra or Third-Eye Chakra. The colors she wears also pairs with the colors of the different dark fruits that can be found in this beer and the complex aspect of the beer is the complex aspect of her character.
Sources:
http://sakimichan.deviantart.com/art/Raven-Teen-Titan-511165333
http://yuumei.deviantart.com/art/Teen-Titans-Raven-Commission-148931734
Rating: 5/5
Ambrée by Jester King is a 7.4% ABV Farmhouse Amber Ale.
Label:
There’s no secret to making farmhouse ale; just take some malt and hops, throw in a bunch of spices, add farmhouse yeast from your favorite yeast lab, let it ferment for a couple of weeks, and stick a picture of a barn or tractor on the label. Unfortunately, our brewers have yet to master these skills. They keep forgetting to add the spices, letting wild yeast into the mix, and allowing the fermentation to go on for months until the sweet sugar is gone. Oh well, at least there’s a barn on our label. Wait, is that even a barn?
Jester King is an authentic farmhouse brewery in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the outskirts of Austin. We brew what we like, drink what we want and offer the rest to those who share our tastes.
ALC/VOL 7.1% FG 1.005 IBU 29
Ingredients Hill Country Well Water, Malted Barley, Roasted Barley, Hops, Farmhouse Yeast, Wild Yeast from the Texas Hill Country, Native Souring Bacteria.
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans
Notes: A dry, tart, unspiced amber beer inspired by the rustic farmhouse ales of French Flanders, particularly those brewed by Brasserie Thiriez in Esquelbecq – one of our favorite breweries in the world. Naturally occurring wild yeasts from the Texas Hill Country impart a sense of place to this unfiltered, unpasteurized, 100% bottle conditioned beer.
==Introduction==
Special thanks to Aaron Mendiola of www.beermetaldude.com for hooking me up with this great beer from Jester King. If it was not for my friend Aaron, I would not have the opportunity to present Jester King beers to the site as well as I do. It is all thanks to him and for that, I am grateful to have such a great friend and a connection into the Texas beer scene!! So let’s take a look at this beer. It looks like they were going for the farmhouse look so I can definitely tell it is all about that Belgian style Saisons. Let us explore the farm shall we? Cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruits like plums, apricots peaches, mango, dark fruits like raisins, cherries, strawberries, malty biscuit bread hints, peppercorn, grapefruit and grassy hops, honey, farmhouse hay, grape wine must.
Flavors:
Rich Stone fruit plum, apricot, peach preserves, mild mango, peach cobbler, peppercorns, vanilla caramel, biscuit bread, farmhouse hay, wine grape funk, honey on sourdough bread, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, figs, dates, oak, butterscotch, leather, tamarind, strawberries, white grapes, celery, grassy, floral and grapefruit hops, clove spice, ginger, hibiscus flowers, lychee, mild chocolate notes, sour green apples, lemon peel and coriander spice.
Aftertaste:
Variety of tangy and sour hint stone fruits and dark fruit, vanilla, tamarind, peppercorn, grassy hops, hibiscus flowers, leather notes, lemon peel and brown sugar. No alcohol in the taste, clear yet dark crimson body, moderate mouthfeel, and moderate drinkability.
Overall:
I love this beer’s fruity and funky complexity. They definitely got it perfect with the style even without the spices. It is amazing how they can pull off such complexity when it comes to their beers. When it comes to best beers in Texas, Jester King is simply one of the best and is at that level of super complext awesomeness like the Bruery is to us here. If you live in Texas, you are very lucky to get these beers. I would highly recommend this one.
Anime Corner:
Fio Germni and Eri Kasamoto from the Metal Slug series, art by Knockworst @Deviantart.com were used in this pairing since I wanted to find something similar to the label. I think Fio and Eri fit the bill in this beer. Namely for the description a they were going for the farmhouse look but it wasn’t what they expected. As far as Fio and Eri go, looks like a day at the beach wasn’t what they expected either. Either way. Their careless and worry free look pairs with how surprising this beer came out to be as well as the fact that they have nothing to worry about but just relax and enjoy the view.
Sources:
http://knockwurst.deviantart.com/art/Metal-Slug-Beach-Party-128954341
Rating: 5/5
Provenance (Orange & Grapefruit) by Jester King is a 5.6% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed and fermented with Oranges and Grapefruit.
Label:
In The Beginning there were only four but Someone bade them “Be fruitful and multiply”, so fruitfully, they multiplied. Maxima and Reticulata Begat Sinensi. Maxima and Sinensis Begat Paradisi. Sinensis and Reticula begat Nobilis, all on Someone’s command. Then Someone decide to squeeze them, crush them, and pulverize their skins, and to allow all of their sweetness to be consumed by invisible, microscopic, creatures so that they could be transformed into a delicious beverage for Someone to drink. Someone is a bit of jerk.
Jester King is an authentic farmhouse brewery in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the outskirts of Austin. We brew what we like, drink what we want and offer the rest to those who share our tastes.
ALC/VOL 5.6% FG 1,000 pH 3.5
Ingredients Hill County Well Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat Orange, Grapefruit, Hops, Farmhouse Yeast, Wild Yeast from the Texas Hill Country, Native Souring Bacteria.
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans
Notes: Our first batch of Provenance takes the vibrant flavors and aromas from the est and juice of Texas oranges and grapefruits presents them in the unique way that only wild fermentation with native yeast and bacteria can do Unfiltered, unpasteurized and 100% bottle conditioned.
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The poor bastards… and I do say this because my breakfast juicing does contain grapefruit and oranges so I know I do all that brutal stuff to Oranges and Grapefruit as I peel their skins and crush them in the blender. Thanks to from good friend Aaron Mendiola from www.beermetaldude.com who got me this awesome beer. You should definitely check out his Rockin’ reviews. The right Metal song for the right beer and epicness. So this beer is all about the saison/wild ale base along with the oranges and grapefruit. I can only imagine that this is gonna be rich, sweet, bitter and funky for sure. Let’s take a stroll down the Provenance.
Aromas:
Orange and grapefruit covered oak, funky notes, flowers, lemon peel, champagne, farmhouse hay, tejuino, tamarind hints, biscuit bread,stone fruit apricots, peaches, peppercorns, lychee, honey, plant notes, herbs and coriander spice.
Flavors:
Oranges, Grapefruit, farmhouse hay, lemon peel vanilla, biscuit bread, peppercorn, flowers, funky oak, honey, stone fruit peaches, apricots, strawberries, white grapes, celery, grassy hops, basil, clove spice, tejuino, red apples, sour green apples, coriander spice, champagne, tamarind, ginger, lychee and honey notes.
Aftertaste:
Bitter lemon peel, Grapefruit juice and peel, Orange peels, white grapes, coriander spice, grassy hops, flowers and peppercorn. No alcohol in the taste, crisp and refreshing, easy to drink, hazy pale milky body and smooth mouth feel.
Overall:
Well well, the lore of a great saison has many stories to tell about the journey of the Orange and the Grapefruit. In this instance, the addition of them makes this very perfect. Way too perfect. All in conjunction with the base saison/farmhouse ale this one became more of a tart orange sweet beer. There is a lot of sweet, bitter and sour flavors in this one so if you love saisons or wild ales, take this one for a spin.
Anime Corner:
Shura Kirigakure from Ao no Exorcist was used in this beer to pair with the orange and grapefruit. As you can see her hair is both red and orange like the color of grapefruit and oranges. The fact that she is an exorcist kind of goes with the mystical aspect of the label. It looks like a special seal or glyph to do some kind of magic. That what this beer really is though, a rich and delicious magic potion.
Sources:
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Ao-no-Exorcist-Shura-350489476
Rating: 5/5
Snörkel by Jester King brewing is a 4.8% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed with Oyster Mushrooms and Sea Salt.
Label:
Just beneath the surface , the under currants begin to pull and guide an exploration, a pulsing kinesis into hidden depths. Its pathways are ghostly filaments laid out side by side and stretched endlessly across the universe. Serenely, they resonate, their soft hum producing the harmony of existence. Gilled bodies curiously emerge from the obscurity and generate a returned interest. They are vessels for a future passage.
Jester King is an authentic farmhouse brewery in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the outskirts of Austin. We brew what we like, drink what we want and offer the rest to those who share our tastes.
ALC/VOL 4.8% FG 1,000 pH3.4
Ingredients Hill County Well Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat, Oyster Mushrooms, Sea Salt, Hops, Farmhouse Yeast, Wild Yeast from the Texas Hill Country, Native Souring Bacteria.
CONTAINS WHEAT
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans
Notes:
Snörkel is brewed with oyster mushrooms from Logro Farms in Austin, Texas and alderwood smoked sea salt. It takes inspiration from traditional German Gose, but sets out to explore the curiosities of umami. Unfiltered, unpasturized, 100% bottle conditioned.
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From the brimy deep, comes this Umami Flavored (Salty, sweet, sour, bitter) beer which was fished out of the great depths of Jester King’s great oak barrels by my friend Aaron Mendiola at www.beermetaldude.com. This beer to me was like, I have to have it especially since it was not only a deep sea kind of beer but the use of the oyster mushrooms and salt with a saison, it really appealed to me. So here we have it, the great donation of Snörkel. Cheers!
Aromas:
Funky oak, pepper corn, flowers, mushroom, mild smokey notes, apple hints, lime peel, stone fruit, vegetable hints, ginger spice hints, berries, farmhouse hay, tamarind hints, tejuino, biscuit bread and champagne.
Flavors:
Funky oak, Sea Salt, Oyster notes, mushroom plant notes, mild tomato hints, flowers, floral notes, biscuit bread, honey, farmhouse hay, agave hints, lime peel, seaweed hints, ginger hints, green apples, red apples, champagne, white grapes, peppercorn, stone fruit, smokey notes, oak, smoked mushrooms, coriander spice, tejuino, tamarind hints, biscuit bread, elderberries, strawberries, stone fruit peach, apricot, basil, grassy hops, white grapes and celery.
Aftertaste:
Bitter lemon, mushrooms, celery, citrus, salty, smokey, mild hop hints and coriander spice. No alcohol in the taste, crisp and refreshing, easy to drink, hazy pale milky body and smooth mouth feel.
Overall:
Damn good saison. I can already see this fitting as one of the best sea food pairings. If you are not into salty or sour beers, this one may not be for you. I have to admit that Salty and sour or bitter (even extreme sweetness) is something I enjoy so a palate that really enjoys these will like this one. Despite the ABV, a lot of salty, sour, sweet, smokey and bitter things are going on here. I will recommend it if you have a palate for the salty, sour, bitter and sweet type of beers.
Anime Corner:
Original Mermaid character was used in this pairing since it matches with the salty deep blue sea of the label and ingredients. She emerges and sits around the coral like the oyster mushrooms seem to sit like corral themselves on the ocean floor. Salty like the seawater, sweet like the beauty of the corral, sour like that wild yeast which is alive in the liquid beer and bitter like the plants of the sea floor as well.
Rating: 5/5
Das Überkind by Jester King brewing is a 6% ABV Organic Vieille Saison/Farmhouse ale aged in oak barrels with wild yeast.
Label:
There are moments in our lives that we simply cannot explain; times when we transcend our natural limitations and stand face to face with the boundlessness of the universe, where we see a first glimpse of out own unbounded potential, and suddenly know how to defeat a race of evil intergalactic, time-traveling cyborgs with a single roll of duct tape.
Jester King is an authentic farmhouse brewery in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the outskirts of Austin. We brew what we like, drink what we want and offer the rest to those who share our tastes.
ALC/VOL 6.0% FG 1,000 pH3.3
Ingredients Hill County Well Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat, Hops, Farmhouse Yeast, Wild Yeast from the Texas Hill Country, Native Souring Bacteria.
CONTAINS WHEAT
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans
Notes: Das Überkind, out “old” Saison, is created by blending some of our favorite oak barrels of mature beer fermented with naturally occurring wild yeast and bacteria harvested from the Texas Hill Country. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% bottle conditioned.
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Das Überkind or “The Ultimate/Super Kid” has finally come to the site thanks to my good friend Aaron Mendiola of www.beermetaldude.com. Jester King is on of Texas best when it comes to Saisons and Wild Ales. Some of their stuff is typically hard to obtain especially around here in California. I am thankful for having a great connection to these special beers so I can present them to you in hopes that you try to seek these magic beers for yourself. The Super Kid is a variant of the Wonder Kid but it is much stronger. So let’s explore this one shall we?
Aromas:
Funky oak, farmhouse hay, vanilla, green apples, caramel, pecan pie hints, peach cobbler, musty oak notes, brettanomyces funk, hints of mango, hints of papaya, strawberry hints, pineapple hints, peppercorn, sourdough and biscuit bread.
Flavors:
Rich funky oak, green apples, strawberries, stone fruit peaches, plums, apricots, honey, caramel, biscuit bread, white grapes, white wine hints, oranges, lemon peel, pecan pie hints, vanilla, farmhouse hay, mango, papaya, brettanomyces funk, sourdough bread, flowers, coriander spice, peppercorn, grapefruit, toffee hints, leather, and champagne.
Aftertaste:
Funky oak, stone fruit, floral spices, sour dough bread, lemon peel, caramel, vanilla and dry apple hints remain. No alcohol in the flavor, smooth drinkability, easy to drink, hazy medium body, crisp and refreshing.
Overall:
What a perfect Saison. So much flora and bready notes on this one. The sour notes are there but what I think is really ramped up from the original is the complex fruit flavors. It definitely is more richer than the original. Maybe one day they will become more available here in California but for now I would highly request you seek this one especially if you like sours and floral saisons. Thanks Aaron for getting me this one as I really wanted to try and was well worth the wait.
Anime Corner:
Jessica Drew/Spider-woman from Marvel Mangaverse was used in this pairing for the many obvious reason going from the goggles and special helmet of the Super Kid which resembles that of Spider-woman. She also fits well with the colors of the label, the beer and even some of the flavors like the citrus and strawberries. The aspect of Spider-woman being a Super Hero complements the Super Kid.
Sources:
http://jamiefayx.deviantart.com/art/m-m-s-w-colored-by-bakanekonei-42711202
Rating: 5.65/5
2014 Contemplating Waterloo by Adelbert’s Brewery is 9.1% ABV Belgian Saison aged in Gin Barrels
Label:
While enjoying a beer with our good friends at Treaty Oak Distilling Co., we contemplated the possibilities of aging our beers in their barrels. Soon we were filling their Waterloo Antique Gin barrels with Philosophizer, our spicy and citrusy saison.
A complex array of lavender, juniper and oak from the barrel balanced with the Philosophizer to create a smooth, warming ale.
Pair this ale with dishes like chicken alfredo, veal scallopini and strawberry cheesecake.
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Aldebert’s brewery is mostly exclusive to Texas but distribution is starting to come through in many places. This unique beer was provided to me by my good friend Aaron at www.beermetaldude.com. Gin is sometimes not really barrel-aged and this is probably the reason why we don’t see a lot of Gin-Barrel Aged beers as the composition of Gin includes a lot of botanicals and Juniper Berries. However, after looking at the Waterloo Antique Gin, these are put in a barrel so the extra complexity just rolls right off and the fact that the special saison which is already a flowery botanical like beer added, well, if there is a flowery Nirvana out there, let’s just hope this beer takes us there.
Aromas:
Lots of Lavender, Gin, Vanilla, grapes, flowers, peppercorn, hibiscus, citrus, honey dew melon, basil, orange citrus, sage spice, banana, rich plantains, rich oak, sugar cane, flan hints, brown sugar, stone fruit apricot, apples, juniper berries, green tea, chamomile, biscuit bread, clove spice, white wine, chardonay, coriander spice and rye.
Flavors:
Apples, raspberries, white wine grapes, citrus, stone fruit apricots, peaches, plum notes, Gin, vanilla, oak, dulce de leche caramel, honey dew melons, lavender, hibiscus, chamomile hints, green tea, plantains, banana, biscuit bread, sugar cane, flan, brown sugar, peppercorn, orange blossom honey, coriander, clove spice, rye bread, blue basil, ginger spice, chardonay, fancy wine and cheese party, juniper berries, blue berry muffins, cherries and blackberries.
Aftertaste:
Finishing up dry with only some gin, sugar cane sweetness, farmhouse hay, vanilla, oak and white wine grapes. Slight booziness but that is mainly from the Gin but it really doesn’t take way from the awesome flavor but inspires the beer. A sipping drinkability with a almost syrupy mouthfeel and clear to medium golden body.
Overall:
Exceeding a lot of expectations here. This is the first Gin Barrel-Aged Beer I have ever had and it sure flew past that perfect radar for me. There was a lot going on here and as I remember back in the day when I tried Gin I remember it had a unique taste which that and the flowery saison creates a complex berry and flowery type of beer. I highly recommend this one was it is rare to see Gin Barrel-aged beers but also the fact that this one works so damn well with a saison.
Anime Corner:
Original Character Tia Won by Plopinou was used in this pairing for different reasons. The label has shotguns being the first but overall it has to do with the color red and the red coats that the British wear in reference to the Battle of Waterloo which was the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815. Sure, the character does not have a British army vest but red was a primary color. Anyways, that is what I thought of when I heard the name Waterloo although we already know it has to do with the Waterloo Antique Gin. Either way, I thought it was an interesting connection and I figure I would elaborate my choice in pairing.
Sources:
http://yytru.deviantart.com/art/Commission-Tia-461682273
Rating: 4.85/5
Fifty Niner by Odell Brewing is a 10% ABV Belgian Golden Ale brewed with Brettanomyces.
Label:
Brett or Bust! 1859 was the peak of the Colorado Gold Rush. Prospectors and dreamers, later dubbed 59ers, journeyed across the land with the hopes of striking it rich. In that spirit of adventure, Fifty Niner is a Golden Ale aged on oak staves and bottle conditioned with Brettanomyces, a yeast as wild as the new frontier. The lustrous golden brew shines with hints of lemon zest and pear accentuated by a rich vanilla and almond oak character and a subtle earthy spiced pineapple Brett finish.
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Odell brewing is something we hardly get to see here in California, especially this beer. Thanks to Aaron at www.beermetaldude.com I was able to bring this to the website for a review. So far, all the beers I have had from Odell have been really good and guessing by the way this is made, I can only assume an awesome experience. So let us dig into this review and see what flavors we can unearth.
Aromas:
Honey, caramel, vanilla, pecans, almonds, oak, funky notes, tropical mango, pineapple, stone fruit apricots, peach cobbler, vanilla, floral notes, peppercorns, sage spice, wine grapes, brettanomyces funk, guava notes and sugar cane.
Flavors:
Peach cobbler, caramel, dark fruit dates, stone fruit apricot, plums, pineapple, mild funk, farmhouse hay, peppercorns, oak honey, vanilla, almonds, pecan pie, citrus, flowers, sugar cane, sage spice, tropical fruit like papaya, kiwi, earthy and musty notes, biscuit bread, rye bread, wine grapes, brettanomyces funk, and guava.
Aftertaste:
Leaving rich citrus, honey, peppercorn, funky notes and tropical sweetness. A small amount of booziness in the taste but not detracting from the flavors. Light to medium body, sipping drinkability as well as mildly syrupy mouthfeel.
Overall:
A very good and sweet brettanomyces ale and the fact that it is a Golden ale too clashes with the rich tropical goodness of what both have to offer. It is almost like a funky tropical old and exotic fruit dessert. Alot going on here that makes this one very delicious. I would definitely recommend this one if you like Belgian styles like Golden Ales and to some degree, Saisons or just both styles.
Anime Corner:
Nami from One Piece was used in this pairing to pair with the colors of the label but also the aspect of being in a cave digging up gold or at least finding gold. The main difference between the treasure seeking pirates and a Gold miner is the fact that you may or may not keep your findings. In this case, you can make this Golden liquid yours!
Sources:
http://cs.sankakucomplex.com/data/47/c4/47c448853afbbd261a1715fd43ee7b80.jpg?3771852
Rating: 4.8/5
Calabaza Boreal collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage Brewing is a 7.2% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed with grapefruit peel, grapefruit juice and peppercorns all while aged in Oak Barrels.
Label:
He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you. -Nietzsche.
When introspection fails, it’s time to look outward for inspiration, perhaps Northward! One of the people who inspired me this past year is my friend Gabe Fletcher, of Anchorage Brewing Co, We brewed this beer together. I hope it inspires you Northward!
Warm Regards,
RON
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Ahh sweet sweet Sour Jolly Pumpkin beers. I haven’t had one of these in a while, except for the recent Los Vivos y Los Muertos. Yet, to think that they would do a collaboration with Alaska’s finest in Sour beers, was an awesome treat. This beer is Jolly Pumpkin’s version. Anchorage also released or will release theirs soon. So let’s check this out to see if it is awesome.
Aromas:
Funky citrus, old oranges, grapefruit, flowers, hibiscus, brettanomyces, tangerines, stone fruit like peaches, plums, apricots, sour notes, wine grapes, lemon peel, peppercorns, honey, caramel, oak, vanilla, sour dough bread, brown sugar, waffle cone and mushrooms.
Flavors:
Definitely grapefruit juices and peels, stone fruits like peaches, apricot, plums, sour funk, wine grapes, peppercorns, coriander spice, citrus, sour dough bread, vanilla, oak, caramel, flowers, lavender, lemon peels, hibiscus, waffle cone, honey, pineapple, sage, mango and farmhouse wet hay.
Aftertaste:
Sweet and Tangy with sour mainly coming grapefruit and some of the brettanomyces. Lemon, oak, vanilla, coriander, peach and grapefruit linger. No alcohol in the taste. A sipping beer but actually refreshing and crisp at some points. Full mouth feel too.
Overall:
Very good saison with lots of sour aspects coming from the fruits and spices used in the beer. I am not sure if Brettanomyces was used in this but it feels like some may have been used. Either that with the fermentation of the oak barrel adding a bit of sourness it. It is strange as this is not a sour beer in the sense of what makes a sour beer sour, but a fruit tangy sour. This is why Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage are perfect in their craft, especially JP since that is all the types of beers they brew. Sours and Saisons with lots of Calabaza Magia! Highly recommended for sure!
Anime Corner:
Neliel Tu Oderschvank from Bleach was chosen for this beer pairing because I wanted to show case not only the colors of the beer with her bu also the label and the anthropomorphic being with the antlers. While Nel is more like a goat, it falls along with the whole monster hybrid they were going for. Although, Nel is not a monster, but an Arrancar and a sweet innocent yet powerful Arrancar. She cares very much for her friends and Ichigo, the orange haired protagonist of the series. Gee look at that, there is an orange pumpkin there. LOL nice touch to the pairing for sure.
Sources:
http://chibisofa.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-206842148
http://khima.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-Tu-Oderschvank-108436195
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-10-06-442998.png
Rating: 4.5/5
The Remix Project Babylonian Style Ale collaboration between Stillwater Artisanal and Omnipollo is a 6% ABV Farmhouse/ Saison.
Label:
Inspired by the artistry and assertiveness of Omnipollo’s Nebuchadnezzar, I decided on a demure approach. Expressing the lovely hop profile of the original & tying it together with farmhouse yeast and Brettanomyces for a fruity, funky fiesta ;7
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Nebuchadnezzar is already Omnipollo’s double IPA but when introduced to these new things such as brettanomyces & farmhouse yeast, well, looks like some evil stuff a la Belgian Pale Ale starts to happen. Not sure how the ABV was lowered if it was a DIPA but oh well. I got this bottle at the wineandcheesplace.com for those that would like to get this one. Usually where I get my evil and yet elusive Stillwater beers.
Aromas:
Rich herbal hops, peppercorns, barnyard hay, honey, basil, mint, yerba buena, biscuit bread, lavender, hibiscus flowers, citrus, lemon, buttery popcorn, mango, garlic, coriander, old papaya, peach, apricot and grape.
Flavors:
Lots of herbs, yerba buena, garlic, peppercorns, grassy and grapefruit hops, biscuit bread, funky brettanomyces, musty grapes, biscuit bread, honey, mild caramel, peaches, apricots, papaya, buttery notes, citrus, lemon, hibiscus, oranges, pinapple, barnyard funk, hay, coriander spice and vanilla.
Aftertaste:
Herbal, citrus and dank garlic notes with honey in the finish. No alcohol in the taste yet a moderate to sipping beer. Despite the 6%, it has a medium mouth feel but still very crisp and refreshing.
Overall:
A very good DIPA/ Saison/ Belgian Pale Ale that is really very herbal. If you like really dank hopped and herbal IPAs and also love saisons, this may be a dream come true. For me, while I really enjoyed the variety that this delicious beer had to offer, Eschatological is my go to from Stillwater in terms of Strong BPAs since I like more citrus, tropical and orangey like characters. Nevertheless, this is an awesome beer and worth a try for sure.
Anime Corner:
Original Demon Girl and Aldra from Queen’s Blade were used in this pairing to signify the essence of the aggressive evil brettanomyces that indulge the very essence of the hops. The reason why Belgian Pale Ales are made, they are beers tainted either by hops or in this case, by brettanomyces since it is a DIPA being attacked. I wanted to find a pairing that fits the label and well something that Stillwater wanted to showcase with what happens when you add brettanomyces and farmhouse yeast to a Double IPA, Liquid Chaos!
Rating: 4.8/5
I Think She Hung The Moon by Naughty Brewing is an 8.5% ABV Saison/Farmhouse ale.
Label:
The very nature of this beer is to be a bit provocative. Belgian candy sugar and Mexican piloncillo sugar cones dry the body, sweet pecan smoke adds a bold stroke, followed by the tart note of hibiscus. We had a vision of a dark, dry and smoky beer that we know you will enjoy!
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A great thanks to Aaron at beermetaldude.com for an awesome donation. This beer’s mix of interesting ingredients made it very appealing, aside from the label which pairs great in my opinion. This is something special as I never imagined the use of pilloncillo can pair with Belgian candy sugar. I have had beers that have that pillocillo like flavors to it but seeing one using the actual cones, that is awesome! The story behind this collaboration starts with James Vaello who created this homebrew, founder of Naughty Brewing, and who was able to launch his recipe with the guidance of Aldebert’s Brewery to be able to mass produce this unique beer. James’s brewery is picking up and I hope this review helps out the Texas community but also bring the attention of the California and even the worldly readers of my site about this beer. Thank you and Cheers guys!!
Aromas:
Dulce de leche Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, pilloncillo sugar cone, pecan pie, stone fruits like plums and apricots, dark fruits, mild smokey notes, biscuit bread, peppercorns, coriander spice, brown sugar, berries and floral notes.
Flavors:
Dark fruits, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, mild smoke, pecans, tart berries, lots of pilloncillo sugar cone, cinnamon, peppercorn, coriander spice, herbs spices, stone fruits like apricot, pineapples, hibiscus flowers, chocolate, mesquite, waffle cone and cherries.
Aftertaste:
Maple, earthy hops, pilloncillo, peppercorns, caramel, toffee and mild smoke. No alcohol in the taste, moderate drinkability with a medium mouthfeel.
Overall:
A very good beer that drinks more like a Belgian brown or amber ale than a Saison. Some saison characteristics are there but they are subdued by the other sweetness. Not bad at all and is actually very good as I like some of these flavors from a beer. Balance is decent but tends to lean more toward the sweet Belgian and Mexican candy. So even if the style is more toward a Belgian brown or amber, it is still a very delicious beer. Definitely give this a try if you can find it and I hope maybe we can see this beer in California some day, Cheers!!
Anime Corner:
Serina Usagi Tsukino or the protagonist of Sailor Moon was used in this pairing for the very obvious reasons. I have never used Serina in the past an this opportunity to use her was the best to showcase the high popularity of anime in the 90’s. Not all anime girls are sailor moon as anime goes but anyways, this was perfect since I wanted to pair with the label of the girl on the moon and well, her similar hair style was well. This anime was very popular here in the US and in Mexico. Not sure about in Belgium, but the fact that Mexican pilloncillo was used in this beer definitely reminded me of when I used to watch the series back in the day along with Dragon Ball Z. The beer is as sweet as Serina’s character but also showcases a bit of smokiness. They say that moon rocks smell smokey, like gun powder. So it fits the beer flavors even more. While the style may confuse people since they say it is a saison but leans toward other styles just showcases people’s expectations. Not many will like Sailor Moon but those that grew up with it will remember a lot about it. The ironic part is that this beer may not meet up to many’s expectations as to what a saison is but I definitely embraced the difference and enjoyed it.
Rating: 4.75/5
Los Vivos y Los Muertos (The Quick & The Dead) by Jolly Pumpkin is a 4.2% ABV Saison/ Farmhouse Ale brewed with Pumpkin and Lime.
Label:
The Quick and The Dead
Sour ale brewed with pumpkin and lime.
Brewed Exclusively for the Rare Beer Club
We bring delight to our dance of a decaying mortal tune. The beauty of contrasts, of oposites and the shores on which they clash is the inspiration behind Los Vivos y Los Muertos. When The Rare Beer Club asked us to brew up something form (sic) the fringe of our imagination, we thought what better and more appropirate for this autumnal season than this? Cheers and Mahalo Plenty!
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A beer that was supposed to be released back in October 2013 for the upcoming celebration of Dia de Los Muertos in November. Unfortunately, the government shut down had prevented many breweries from releasing beers due to the approval of labels. Regardless, this was March 2014 release for The Rare Beer Club which you may still find it there.
Aromas:
Floral hop notes, wet hay, peppercorn, vegetable notes, biscuit bread, citrus, apricot, white grapes, lemon grass, lime, pumpkin flesh, honey dew melon, cinnamon spice, coriander, brettanomyces, apples, herbs, mild vanilla and caramel.
Flavors:
Flowers, citrus, biscuit bread, pumpkin flesh notes, sourdough, honey, wet hay, white peppercorns, sage, coriander spice, sour apples, peach, plum, apricot, sour white grapes, oak, hints of vanilla and caramel, honey dew melon, lemon grass, lime, raw pumpkin flesh, cinnamon notes, musty funk, rustic grain, rye, cereal and berry hints.
Aftertaste:
mild pumpkin, citrus, sour grape, peppercorn, lime, wet hay and honey. Very drinkable despite the medium mouthfeel. No alcohol in the taste and also, not overpoweringly sour.
Overall:
Very well made beer and very delicious. Hence the reason why Jolly Pumpkin makes great sours and in this case, a great Saison. Just like breweries like Jester King, when you have a primary focus, the amount of creativity can really shine from the masses of the craft beers. This beer is very good, but even if you cannot find it, there are surely other great ones you can. While the pumpkin and lime are noted in the beer, the saison style is what carries it. Give it a shot if you can get it.
Anime Corner:
Nonon Jakuzure from Kill La Kill, Original Artwork by Takagi Kyousuke and Reisen Udongein Inaba from Touhou were used in this pairing to represent the aspect of Death and the Rabbit. Some Rabbits are cute like Nonon, but even the cutest, and the quickest rabbit can never escape the bounds of Death. Nonon combines both that, Death and Cute. The Takagi piece relates to the label in La Vie C’est Drole (Life is Funny) since we live life as puppets never knowing when the end will come with death pulling the string one inch closer every day tugging away, just like the rabbit tangled by the ribbon dancing at the Deaths melody. The final piece represents the grasp of death reaching out grab the rabbit of darkness. The funny part about this beer, is irony of its time of release, in the spring time, where usually the flowers start to bloom and life blooms with it. Hence, a Spring Saison with ingredients of the fall (Pumpkin). La vie, c’est drole, mais cette bière est délicieuse, Sante!!
Rating: 4.85/5
The Sinner Series Wrath by Amager Bryghus is a 6.5% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale aged in Pinot Noir barrels.
Label:
Danish: Saisoner er in. Saisoner er hippe. Simpelthen. Endnu har ingen givet den helt gode forklaring på, at denne uhyre traditionelle belgiske ølstil pludselig nyder en voldsom opblomstring blandt toneangivede ølnørder. Bortset fra selvfølgelig, at det er en uhyre delikat drik i al sin forfinede enkelhed. Men vi har begået en synd. Vi kunne ikke lade være. Vi har nemlig hældt vores Amager-variant af en Saison på et træfad. Vi håber, at de bløde tanniner fra træet og de noble Pinot Noir-druer giver et saftspændt ekstra twist. Vi ved, at vi måske påkalder os Saison-fundamentalisterne vrede med denne gavtyvestreg. Men ærlig talt, så er vi ligeglade.
Vi er ikke stolte over at være syndere, men i det mindste er vi åbne omkring det…
English: Saisons are in. Saisons are hip. It’s as simple as that. So far, no one has come up with a good explanation as to why this very traditional Belgian farmhouse style has suddenly skyrocketed in popularity amongst the in- crowd of the beer geek nation. Except, of course, for the fact it’s simply a very delicate drink in all of its refined simplicity. But we’ve committed a sin. We couldn’t resist. We poured our Amager Saison variety into a barrel. We hope the soft tannins from the wood and the noble Pinot Noir grapes add a juicy extra twist. By doing so, we may bring the wrath of Saison fundamentalists upon ourselves. But frankly, we don’t give a damn!
We’re not proud to be sinners, but at least we’re open about it…
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The second Amager beer I had my eyes on that may have implemented Anime, or not, but still looked awesome and one I wanted to pick up was Wrath. The funny part is that Sweden made a bigger deal about Lust than they did with Wrath even though Wrath has the boob showing with no nipple. Crazy Swedes and their morals. It really does not matter as I am sure you mainly came to read the review or mainly just stare at Wrath and her physique. Either way, hope this beer makes its mark to appeal your beer taste or anime. Whichever you prefer, we do both here and brewerianimelogs .
Aromas:
Citrus, Tomato, wheat bread, caramel, apples, funky farmhouse hay, floral notes, basil, banana notes, sour grapes, red wine, oak, herbal notes, peppercorns, cranberries, pecans, tree sap, mushrooms, honey, old yeast, smoked BBQ meats, leather, brown sugar, grapes and old oranges.
Flavors:
Citrus and tomato, raw like the sun, floral notes, caramel, green apples, funky farmhouse hay, wheat bread, old bananas, sour wine grapes, oak, pinot noit, wine and cheese party, herbs, peppercorn spices, cherries, Amber sap, brown sugar, leather, tart cranberries, pecans, mushrooms, honey and mild smokey ham notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishing mostly dry with dissipating Caramel, pinot noir wine notes, hay, vegetable flavor, fancy cheese, amber sap, honey, earthy notes, peppercorn, herbs and spices. No alcohol in the taste, medium to sipping drinkability with medium to full mouth feel.
Overall:
This beer kind of reminds me of The Bruery White Oak except without the bourbon complexity. An interesting Saison and just to add the Pinot Noir Barrels makes it very interesting for sure. The flavors of the barrel are very prominent in this one. I would recommend this one if you can find it but if if you have tried White Oak from the Bruery, it is similar in flavor except for the tart aspect of it.
Anime Corner:
Original Artwork by paparins and the other Original Artwork by unknown (Artist info needed) was used in this pairing to pair with the label artwork as well as the beer. While this is definitely not your typical saison, the Wrath aspect of the beer may not be prominent immediate upon trying the beer, it comes surely after and is what best represents it well. The artwork of a demon on a rampage best represents wrath but the sweetness of this beer is what is represented in the second pairing which shows that sometimes, a rampaging demon has to take a brake from time to time. Just like lust, do not take her so suddenly, she will make quick work out of the unsuspecting victim.
Rating: 4.25/5
Saison De Lente by the Bruery is a 6.5% ABV Farmhouse Ale/Saison.
Label:
SPRING TIDINGS
Golden in color with a fresh hoppiness and a wild and rustic Brettanomyces character, this saison of Spring is perfect for warmer weather and Easter celebration.
Our Spring Saison will evolve over time; clean and hoppy when fresh and drier, with earthy, wild notes when aged up to two years.
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So of the many Bruery beers that I have tried, this seasonal is one that I have yet to try. I wanted to get this one going before I miss the season. It is sold everywhere they sell the Bruery stuff and it is easy to find. So without further ado, on the review.
Aromas:
Peach notes, oranges, flowers, apricots, banana hints, peppercorns, clove spice, coriander, wet hay, farm house funk, lemon zest, biscuit bread, earthy hop notes, wheat bread and honey.
Flavors:
Peppercorns, flowers, citrus, mild mango, peach, bananas, lemon zest, clove spice, coriander, wet hay, earthy hops, honey, biscuit bread, wheat, mild caramel and vanilla.
Aftertaste:
Citrus peppercorn, wheat bread, lemon zest, bitter flowers and earhy hop notes. No alcohol in the taste, easy to moderate drinkability, crisp and refreshing.
Overall:
Very good Saison but not typically the best I have ever had. A very good example of the style with some very nice flavors. For me personally, since I have had other saisons like the Stillwater ones who primarily focus on saison, this like a nice gateway to the saison style.
Anime Corner:
Remelia Scarlet from Touhou project was used in this pairing because I wanted to show something that compliment’s this beer’s aspect of spring. The birth of the birds coming to life in the spring ready to take on the the work and being released from the eggs show case this instance. Some of the colors from Remelia also pair the beer label well too. Can you see any other cool things about this beer that works well?
Rating: 4.4/5
Tumescence collaboration by The Bruery and Bottlelogic brewing is an 8% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed with Mangoes, Raspberries, Herbs and spices.
Label:
RAGING HAPPINESS
This saison was brewed with brettanomyces, mangoes & raspberries and a selection of herbs and spices for extra enjoyment.
The OC beer community is growing quickly and luckily it is filled with amazing people. We had a lot of fun brewing this experimental ale with our old friends who are now our new neighbors. Best enjoyed fresh, but may pleasantly evolve over time if cellared properly
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The first collaboration of the year for The Bruery and maybe for Bottle Logic. This was a february release for the Reserve society but will also be released for the preserve society and possible to the markets soon next month. A saison is a delicious style of beer brewed in the French speaking parts of Belgium, or so I heard. They are very prominent by many breweries and even my favorites are from Stillwater Artisanal. So, for the brewery to make one with mango, this I had to see.
Aromas:
Mango, peppercorns, hibiscus, raspberries, grapefruit and herbal hops, citrus, coriander spice, strawberry, cilantro, lemons, biscuit bread, brettanomyces funk, stone fruits like apricots and peaches and apples.
Flavors:
Lots of flowers, spices, mango, grapefruit hops, tart raspberries, peppercorns, stone fruit apricots, peaches, sour apple, sage, grapes, funky brett, biscuit bread, farmhouse hay, lemongrass, cilantro herbs, pineapple, strawberry, chamomile and hibiscus.
Aftertaste:
Citrus, herbs, spices, mild mango, tart raspberry, herbal and grassy hops. There is no alcohol in the taste. This is moderate drinking beer.
Overall:
If you love saisons, you may love this very delicious beer. At some points, the herbs were pretty sharp but I think that was the point when they needed to balance out the sweeter tropical notes of the beer. In this sense, it is not as sweet as other saisons but the bitter flowers, spices, herbs and some sweetness of the tropical fruits do come together nicely.
Anime Corner:
Ignis from Jingai Makyō was chosen to for the pairing of Tumescence for the label, beer colors and flavors. Tumescence is actually the word for inflammation of something. In this case, Ignis representing the raspberries and Mango fights off the demons of the living Brettanomyces to maintain a place in the beer so that it does not sour out and shows the tropics a bit more. The surrounding red of her hair and the red of the background really shows the raspberry and mango aspects of the beer. Can you see any other art of this luminescent beer that pairs with the artwork?
Rating: 5.96/5
Smooth Criminal by The Bruery is a 15% ABV English Barley Wine and Saison Blend aged in bourbon barrels
Label:
ANNI ARE YOU OKAY?
Ever accidentally blend two brews, curse a bit, and then smile when tasting the excellent result? Us too. Rich malt, hops and wood come together harmoniously in this unique ale.
Smooth Criminal is the splendid result of moving a bit too quickly in the brewhouse. An accidental addition of Saison De Lente to a fermenter full of our Anniversary ale led us to ask, “Anni, are you okay?” She was. Best enjoyed fresh , but may pleasantly evolve over time if cellared properly.
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I have yet to try Saison Lente but this beer blended with Bois is probably very epic. Bois is already a beer that I highly enjoy but the addition of another blend may make or break a flavor enhancement. So far, the Bois Fume was freaking epic, let us see what Saison Lent did to “ANNI”versary ale.
Aromas:
Bananas, peaches, apricots, apple butter, vanilla, oak, bourbon, dulce de leche caramel, coconut, milk chocolate, pecan pie, hazelnuts, dark fruits like raisins, plums, cherries, figs, dates, grapes,apples, rum, Flan, brown sugar, peaches and cream, crème brulee, toffee and marshmallow smores.
Flavors:
Bananas, dulce de leche caramel, peaches, herbal spices, floral hops, peppercorns, toffee, vanilla, oak, bourbon, rum, apples, apricots, dark fruit raisins, figs, dates, prunes, cherries, pecan and hazelnut pie, walnuts, raisin bread pudding, marshmallows smores, rye bread with orange marmalade spread, flan, crème brulee, dark and milk chocolate, white chocolate, wine grapes, maple syrup, burnt sugars, candy sugar, brown sugar, and butterscotch, flowers and coriander.
Aftertaste:
Peach, grape, rye, caramel, bourbon, vanilla, pecan pie, earthy and floral notes and citrus linger. The alcohol is presently mild but does not detract from the delicious flavors. This is mildly smooth.
Overall:
Something about adding other beers to Bois take the beer to another spectrum of flavors. The Bois Fume was very delicious and now this one freaking awesome. I think I enjoyed Bois Fume more but this one is freaking delicious. If you enjoy both beers I am sure the hoppy, floral and citrus addition eill have you liking this one. A play at ANNI or Anni-versary is a well played criminal. A thief in the night exposing new flavors to the palate.
Anime Corner:
Vocaloid, Haku Yowane, was chosen for this pairing to represent the aspect of “Michael Jackson” and Smooth Criminal. Haku for the aspect of the beer and MJ, co-inside with themes of music since she is a musician but her name means utter bad thoughts. A pun to, “Who’s Bad?” In terms of the label, I did not get the colors right but the flavors of the beer such as the dark fruit, cherry and plums are there in in her clothing colors and evil eyes. Her white hair represents the addition of the Saison Lente (A white blond beer) that was added to Anniversary (Evil thoughts of Haku influencing the pure beer) and then creating this, Smooth Criminal. I’m just glad I found a great picture to pair with this beer and tribute to MJ’s “Smooth Criminal”.
Rating: 4.25/5
Saison Blanc by The Lost Abbey is a 5.5% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/ Saison brewed with Golden raisins and white pepper
Label:
It’s honest brutal work out there in the fields. There’s no shade between you and the land needing to be farmed. Harvest time brings longer days spent toiling under the fiery sun as sweat and dust bake mud cakes on your face. All day every day, it’s always the same. Been that way for years and it’s not changing anytime soon.
Your family has been turning this soil since your daddy was knee high to the grasshoppers and your son will soon learn the important of this earthen existence as well. Someday, he’ll pass your work ethic on to his son. And the pulse of this land will continue beating. Without families and farms there would be no crops. Without barley, there would be no beer. Neither is a world we want to live in. So as you CAREFULLY pop this cork, please pause to reflect on those who reap what they sow enabling us to have amazing bottles of beer at the end of each day…
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Picked this one up at Ramirez Liquors. A Lost Abbey beer doesn’t go by that I don’t review. Unless it is a super exclusive box set that offsets you a grand just to get. While that idea was awesome I would have loved to review the box set, I will leave that story for another day. Anyways, they are known for awesome raisins they use to make their beers, like judgment day ale for example. This offering is made with Golden Raisins and white pepper, so it should be good I hope.
Aromas start with the nice floral, spice and fruity notes. Definitely sweet golden raisins, white grapes, peach, pear, apples, biscuit bread, pepper corns, champagne, white wine, flowers, hibiscus, citrus, lime, grassy and piney hop notes.
The flavors are or golden grapes, banana, phenol, cloves, bread, grassy, floral and piney hop presence, white peppercorns, coriander spice, brettanomyces, green apples, apricot, white wine, flowers, hibiscus, waffle cone, Belgian sweet bread yeast and hay.
The aftertaste leaves like bready, buttery, hoppy with flowers and fruity sweetness. It is a full bodied beer even at 5.5%ABV. It is pretty refreshing but with moderate drinkability
Overvall, it was a very good beer with very good flavors. However, in terms of distinguishing itself from others I have tried in the past, well it doesn’t do it for me. Worth a try but even for the $5 price tag, you can definitely get yourself a different saison that may be just as awesome or even better. I am looking at Stillwater Artisanal. A great job none the less, it delivers a pretty awesome and solid offering of a saison but nothing too overwhelming or unexpected.
Rating: 4.5/5
Salt Lick (Censored) by Jester King and The Salt Lick BBQ collaboration is a 6.7% Pecan Wood Smoked Saison/Farmhouse ale barrel-aged in wild yeast.
Label:
First came the witches, and soon after there were vampires. They came in droves and each time one popped up it seems to be better looking then the last., each polished to a blinding luster. For a brief moment even werewolves even had there moment in the spotlight, plucked and preened to studio perfection. Then, to our astonishment, monsters comprised of nothing more than smoke joined this pop phenomenon – and that we couldn’t resist.
Notes:
Crafted in the once commonplace, Old World tradition of bière de coupage, young, dry hopped ale is blended with old, barrel-aged sour beer fermented with native yeast. A portion of the malt was smoked over pecan wood at The Salt Lick BBQ (Censored) in Driftwood, Texas. Unfiltered, unpasteurized and naturally conditioned.
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Last year, this beer used to be called Salt Lick but per Texas law below, they had to change it:
Update: Our original label application for Salt Lick Pecan Wood Smoked Saison was rejected by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), after having been approved by the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB). We have renamed this beer “Censored” for sale in Texas.
Here is the original label: http://beerpulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Jester-King-Salt-Lick-Pecan-Wood-Smoked-Saison.png
Along with Das Wunderkind!, I was able to get this one online as well. Jester King makes some of the finest Saisons out there. Goes to show that each Brewery does not have to brew a particular variety of styles but when focused a certain style can go into depths that no other beer can. Yes I am looking at those breweries like Jolly Pumpkin (Sours), Stillwater Artisanal (Gypsy Saisons), The Bruery (Belgian Styles) and many more . I will definitely try to get more amazing JK reviews going . So far I have 5 beers. Check out my other reviews .
One thing to not about this beer, when I opened it, sat it down on the table to take pictures. The beer came to life . Unlike my previous experience with Fantome Boo! Where the beer came gushing out to no ends, this one slowly but surely started to rise, little by little as it came out the bottle and surprised me about a minute later. Now I understand what the label meant about the paranormal :S
Aromas of this beer are quite intriguing. Very Smokey, campfire oak, honey glazed ham, pineapple, peppercorns, tart citrus, musty grapes, minor flower notes, herbs, rotting wood, hidden spices, peaches, apples, salt, hay, lemon juice, tobacco and BBQ pit with spices.
The flavors are of lemon, citrus, salt, smokey honey glazed ham, biscuit bread, Tejuino (Mexican fermented corn drink with lime, sugar and salt), tamarind, hazalenut, over matured orange, sourdough wheat bread, coriander, lemon pepper spice, white peppercorns, barn yard hay, very oaky, musty grapes, a touch of apricot, apples, butter, apple cider vinegar notes, black pepper, sage and other earthy spices.
The aftertaste is somewhere between, salty, smokey, tart, slight sour, fruity and spicy. Quite the combination and smooth and moderately refreshing in fact. This seems way too good to be true. Like drinking this around late august, early September is like perfect because you get nice refreshing notes and that campfire warmth feel you would get as the times approach the fall.
Amazingly this is the first time I have had a beer that is both strictly smokey and slightly sour. Reminds me a lot of Tejuino which is a Mexican fermented corn drink with lime, sugar and salt and sometimes chile added. Very Unique, very interesting, and very delicious. You probably will bee to have an acquired taste for sours or even smoked beers to greatly enjoy this one. Although to me, the balances with the saison is not too overwhelmingly smokey or sour. It fits perfectly in both sides of the universe. Excellent stuff and very awesome if you can find it .
Rating: 4.75/5
Das Wunderkind! by Jester King is a 4.5% ABV Organic Saison/Farmhouse Ale aged in oak wine and whiskey barrels with wild yeast.
Label:
There are many among us who, in spite of their best efforts, just never quite seem to fit in. It’s only a rare few, however, who, very early in life, develop the self-asurance and presence of mind to be neither conformists nor rebels, instead carving their own paths and following their own dreams, regardless of what anyone else might happen to think. Take flight, mein Wunderkind, don’t ever let gravity hold you back!
Description: (jesterking.com)
Mature beer, re-fermented in oak barrels with wild yeast and souring bacteria is blended with fresh, dry-hopped beer prior to bottle-conditioning. Dry and lightly tart, with notes of citrus, barnyard, and tropical fruit.
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Been looking for this little prize long ago. Since last year actually. I was finally able to find one online. Soon as I saw it, I had to get it and do a review. I paired this beer with a piece of artwork that best presents it. Flight of Das Wunderkind! Or “The Wonder Kid” in German.
Aromas are those nice floral spices, peppercorn, sourdough bread notes I really enjoy in saisons. As an added treat, there are also notes of oak, grapefruit, citrus, hay, apricots, lemon, apples, dandelions, roses, sweet caramel, light whiskey notes, grapes and earthy notes
Flavors are of peppercorns, sourdough bread, wine grapes, caramel, oak, light whiskey notes, lemon peel, green apples, slight funky notes but not too sour, grapefruit, apricot, peach, hint of strawberry, flowery spices, hay, earthy hops, coriander and light vanilla notes.
The aftertaste is mildly funky with citrus, lemon , oak and wine taste but shortly sour. More like flowers and peppery spices.
Overall the beer is awesome is you love saisons that have nice funky notes which are not too sour but pleasantly tart. The added wine and whiskey barrels give it some character but do not overwhelm much of the beer. The spices, flowers and fruity flavors along with the tart and oak flavors take care of that.
Rating: 5/5
Dulcis Succubus by Le Trou Du Diable of Canada is a 7% ABV Saison/Wild Farmhouse Ale aged in Wine Barrels
Label:
The beer is fermented with wild yeast and aged for six months in French oak barrels that previously held botrytized California white wine, creating a complex aroma of honey, vanilla, apricot and leather. The abundant flavor is bittersweet with notes of peach and American hops. Carpe fermentum!
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Translated as Sweet Succubus by The Devil’s Hole Brewing is a beer that was not easy to find. Had to place myself on a waiting list. I guess people do seek this one. Right now, Klwines.com has this one for a hefty price, however, if you love sours and saisons or even wine, this might be up your alley. Carpe fermentum!? = Seize the beer
Aromas of funky funky bready yeast with wine and grape must fragrances came out of the bottle. Other notes I gathered were of vanilla, peach, oak, good fancy cheese, earthy and floral hops, pepper corn, honey, apple, pineapple and cider.
The flavors a lot like that of the Jolly Pumpkin but mainly like the Saisons from Fantome in Belgium. Flavors are of Honey, biscuits, lemon peel, white wine, vanilla oak, peach, apricot, wine grapes, dessert wine, floral and earthy hops, spices like coriander, peppercorns, lemons, leather, apples, biscuit bread and some nice fancy cheese.
Leaves like a nice fancy cheese aftertaste. Not bad at all. We are dealing with “living” brettanomyces in the beer afterall. Love these living ales. The sourness does not come in as strong. There is a good amount of funkyness and some sourness to make it appealing but also giving way to sweeter flavor with some hop bitterness. Overall it is really funky and reminiscent of those great saisons from Stillwater and Fantome. Hell even some of the Stone aged beers might be similar. Awesome stuff. I would think that this would fit the bill as a during dinner or after dinner type of beer. Wine aged beers seem that way
All these fancy wine aged beers have something in comparison. They give off this funky cheese notes, even if minor. This is very good stuff though. Here is how I would compare this beer to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etm-qfx3Gok
Before I forget, the label was an awesome design made by aditya777 (http://aditya777.deviantart.com/art/Succubus-156780762 )
Cheers 😀
Rating: 4.75/5
Migdal Bavel (AKA Tower of Babel) collaboration by Stillwater Artisanal and Extraomnes is a 6.66%ABV Italian Saison made with Myrrh an Szechuan Peppercorns.
Description:
a crisp blond farmhouse ale brewed with Myrrh & Szechuan Peppercorns.
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Been looking all over the place for this one. Took almost half a year for me to find to so reviewing this one was gonna be such an awesome task. Aside from the eerie 6.66%ABV, this beer has some mysterious aromas and flavors. The aromas start off herbal, floral and spicy. Fragrances of bread notes, flowers, mango, peppercorns, citrus, grapefruit, oak wood, pears and pineapple. The taste is very rich in herbs, spices and funky wild yeast. Flavors can gather are of citrus orange, slight pineapple, lemon, herbs, flowers, honey, vanilla, peppercorns, a bit of wine grapes, banana bread, bubble gum, pears, mushrooms, basil, coriander and spices. The after taste leaves with some nice grassy and spice bitterness which still complemented by flowery sweetness. I am unsure as to how Myrrh taste but possibly the little bit of herbal and spicy bitterness maybe a result. Either way, another awesome saison and an awesome collaboration. Saison and Farmhouse ale fans will enjoy this one 😛
Rating: 4.5/5
Stillwater Artisanal Sensory Series v.1 – Lower Dens is a 6% ABV Spiced and Herbed collaboration ale brewed with Jamaica (Hibiscus Flowers) between the Lower Dens band and the genius that is Stillwater Artisanal.
Label:
welcome to the sensory series
a collaboration to create the experience to stimulate the 5 senses: Sound, sight, smell, touch, taste
In this first collaboration, Stillwater works with Lower Dens to make an ale based on an interpretation of their song, “In the End is the Beginning.” On the bottle itself, a QR code will link to an exclusive Lower Dens performance of the song.
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Needless to say I scanned the barcode just for the full effect :P. Initial aromas are very floral and sweet like that of Eucalyptus, Roses, Hibuscus and peppercorns. Lots of tropical aromas like Mango, Orange, papaya, pineapple, lime and also a bit of bubble gum. The Flavors are that of a Saison with its nice bready yeast, peppercorns,herbs, pineapple, hibiscus, mango, papaya, stone fruit, tangerine, peaches, pears, apples, roses, manzanilla (Chamomile tea), cane sugar, banana cloves and biscuit bread. The after taste is of nice buttery bread with orange and sugar cane. This would probably go good with some nice cheese. I think this beer reminds me a lot of the stateside but with more tropical flavors. It is pretty good
While you watch the video: http://www.stillwatersensory.com/ you get sense of what it is about. It is pretty good stuff
Rating: 4.75/5
Ron And The Beast Ryan collaboration by Evil Twin Brewing and Jolly Pumpkin is a 7% ABV Saison/ Farmhouse Ale brewed with honey
Label:
n Denmark we have a lovely tradition for funky beer, and what you have here is certainly no exception. This is a never before seen collaboration between Ron and the Beast Ryan. A fluffy and precious Saison-style ale brewed with a beautiful yeast called Brettanomyces. It may sound like a true fairytale, but don’t be fooled by it’s cute appearance.
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Quite floral saison here. Aromas of honey, botanicals, bread, flowers, orange citrus, herbs, barnyard hay and spices. The flavors are kind of funky like a Belgian Ale, but it is a saison. Flavors of honey, biscuit bread, wine grapes, a touch of lemon, grapefruit, apples, peaches, wild yeast bread, wheat, coriander, herbs, rose petals and hibiscus. The after taste is floral sweet with some hoppy bitterness but not a lot. This Saison is worth trying although other saisons that may come close are like the Stillwater Stateside or the Anchorage Love Buzz. Still an awesome beer to try 🙂
Rating: 5/5
Cellar Door by Gypsy/Gangster brewer, Stilwater Artisanal is a 6.6%ABV Farmhouse ale/Saison wheat ale brewed with White Sage. It is actually closer to a witbier (Belgian White). Perhaps, a fusion of a saison and a Belgian white
Description:
over the ages the term ’cellar door’ has numerously been referred to as the most beautiful term in the English language. upon setting out to create the first summer addition to the Stateside line up of ales; the feeling that almost instantly came to me was that of beauty & cleansing. many summer offerings tend to lack the complexity of their bigger, colder season counterparts; so my goal was to craft an ale of extreme balance with a delicate complexity that allows for contemplation while also providing quaffable refreshment. Starting with a base of German wheat & pale malts this crisp slightly hazy foundation was then accented with a blend of Sterling & Citra hops providing a intricate blend of herbal grass & tangerine citrus flavors and aroma. to pull this all together and to complete the ’cleansing’ aspect of my vision i gently finished the ale off with a touch of white sage, lending a mild earthy spice character to the blend. of course let’s not forget our house saison yeast that brought all the elements together leaving a dry yet intricate finish. enjoy, b.
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Upon opening the Cellar Door of this fine ale, we are exposed to sweet Belgian and saison aromas. On one hand you have floral and some peppercorn notes but you can also smell the fragrance of tangerine, lemon, coriander spice, some mango, almost like a tang orange sweetness. The flavors go in many directions. We have Belgian wheat brad, sweet bread, orange, honey, minor grassy, pine and grapfruit hops in order to establish a minor Belgian Pale feel without compromising the sweet flavor for bitterness. There are some flavors or caramel, white grapes, mango, apples, peaches, pears, sage, coriander spice, banana cloves, peppercorn, oak wood and biscuit. It is kind of crazy as you get a load of tropical like fruit flavors, with rich Saison and bready goodness along with the way a Belgian White tastes. Quite the awesome blend of flavors here. Saison, Belgian White and some Belgian Pale Ale lovers will love this one. It is quite the exquisite beer and a must pick up if you can find it 😀
Rating: 3.9/5
Bam Noire by Jolly Pumpkin is a 4.3% ABV Dark Farmhouse Ale/Saison. This is the second time I get to try this beer. One of the things I failed to notice when I did my first review, is the fact that… THIS BEER IS LOWER IN ALCOHOL THAN A BUDLIGHT. Also, the flavors is probably over 9000 times better than a bud light.
Label:
One of Bam’s brown eyes is, in fact, black. When mischief reigns supreme, it positively glows. Dedicated to the dark side; smooth, dark, incredibly delicious as only a Jack Russell with bat wings can be.
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One thing to note about Jolly pumpkin ales is that there is always some aromas and flavors of like wine grape sourness. This one seems to have a lighter amount of sourness to it. The fragrance is of wine grapes, coffee, lemon, caramel, cherries, raisins and oak wood. The flavors are somewhat balanced. There are some coffee cake notes, wine grape sourness, molasses, notes of apple cider vinegar, citrus, lemon, caramel, apples, ginger, brown sugar, and cherries. This is a nice low ABV beer to try if you like Saisons or sour ales. Even for some that may not like sour ales, this is pretty moderate to low sourness. It is enough for you to taste the dark roasted malts and fruits.
2011 Review:
Bam Noire Dark Farm House Ale is a well balanced beer consisting of sweet flavor from the malt, bit of bitterness from the fresh hops, and that Jolly Pumpkin goodness of wild yeast making this sour as well. It is refreshing and not too overwhelming in complexity. Just the right beer for the special occasion where you want to try sweet,sour,bitter at once…Definitely good stuff :P.
Rating: 5/5
Guava Grove by Cigar City Brewing is an 8%ABV Saison brewed with Guava or Guayabas
Label:
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 
