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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

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Saison

Saison beers are distinctive specialty beers from the Belgian province of Hainuat. These beers were originally brewed in the early spring for summer consumption, though contemporary Belgian saisons are brewed all year round with pale malts and are well dosed with English and Belgian hop varieties. Lively carbonation ensues from a secondary fermentation in the bottle. The color is classically golden orange and the flavors are refreshing with citrus and fruity hop notes. Sadly, these beers are under-appreciated in their home country and their production is limited to a small number of artisanal producers who keep this style alive. With a typically hoppy character, saisons are an esoteric style of beer that should appeal to any devotees of U.S. craft beers, if you can track them down. Occasionally, U.S. brewpubs will attempt a version.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Saison by St. Feuillien, Brasserie St. Feuillien (Belgium). 6.5% ABV (5/11)
Beautiful golden amber color. Aromas of spiced caramel, dried stone fruit, nut butter and crumpet with a round, frothy medium-to-full body and a rich, peppercorn, root vegetable and kale finish. A fine benchmark for the style that will go great with cheeses and meats.

94 Samuel Adams Rustic Saison, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.35% ABV (5/11)
Bright yellow color. Aromas of toasted baguette lightly laced with lemon marmalade, peppery spice and melon. Very smooth and silky with a dryish light-to-medium body and refreshing and balanced delicately earthy hop finish. A wonderfully pure, seamless and easy drinking saison with subtle complexity.

94 Sorachi Ace, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 7.6% ABV (5/11)
Hazy golden color. Robust and integrated aromas of toasted fruit nut bread, ginger, lemongrass, lime leaf and Asian spices with a vibrant dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and long, pear custard, dried strawberry and spiced roasted nut finish. A delicious food beer.

93 “Vieille Provision” Saison Dupont, Brasserie Dupont (Belgium). 6.5% ABV (5/11)
Pale golden color. Rich and funky omelet, brioche, nectarine, peat moss and peppery spice aromas with a round, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, juicy citrus, melon rind, rhubarb, salty baguette and grassy earthy hop finish. A bold, charming, rustic brew that will sing with food.

92 Hennepin Farmhouse Saison Ale, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 7.7% ABV (5/11)
Slightly hazy golden yellow color. Attractive aromas of peach-orange soufflé, frittata, candied ginger and delicate peppery spices with a round, well carbonated fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a juicy, sweet citrus, peppery spice, wafer and mineral finish. A very flavorful, balanced and easy drinking saison.

92 Pepe Nero, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2011. 6% ABV (5/11)
Dark brown color. Aromas of burnt sugar, dark roasted nuts, bacon fat and cracked black pepper with a supple, velvety dryish medium-to-full body and a salty European cheese, sprouts and grassy hop finish. A solid food beer that will shine with charcuterie.

91 Samuel Adams Longshot Lemon Pepper Saison, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6.4% ABV (5/11)
Bright old gold color. Aromas of lemon soufflé, peppercorns and fresh herb bread with a supple, finely carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a creamy, spicy starfruit, wafer and sweet potato purée-accented finish. Very refreshing and balanced.

90 Le Merle, North Coast Brewing Co. (CA). 7.9% ABV (5/10)
Hazy golden yellow color. Bustling aromas of sweet citrus, spice and bread follow through on a zesty entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with dried stone fruit, citrus zest and peppery ginger notes on the long, refreshing finish. Very drinkable, yet substantial and quite Belgian in style.

89 Sofie, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2011. 6.5% ABV (5/11)
Old gold color. Fresh pulled orange and banana taffy, herb, cream cheese and clove gum aromas have a hint of latex with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a sweet-and-sour bruised peach and citrus, Brett and pomegranate seed finish. An interesting sour beer best served with pork palace foods and cheeses.

88 Fille Du Fermier, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 6.1% ABV (4/09)
Hazy copper color. Aromas of anise seed, spearmint leaf, orange pekoe tea and peach marmalade follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with good integration and a tangy, tangerine, celery seed, nut and toast accent on the finish. A solid food beer.

88 Blonde de Chambly, Unibroue (Canada). 5% ABV (5/11)
Hazy golden yellow color. Bright spicy coriander, ginger tea, thyme, and Meyer lemon aromas and flavors with a frothy dryish medium body and a soft fade of wafers, spices, wet stones and herbs. A pleasant quaffer.

87 Monkey Wrench Saison, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 7% ABV (5/11)
Golden amber color with a fine white blanket. Aromas of apricot yogurt, praline and meringue with supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a tangy starfruit, Brazil nut and root vegetable snap on the finish. Tasty.

86 Space Monkey Raspberry Saison, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 7% ABV (5/11)
Lustrous copper color. Fresh raspberry pastry and yogurt aromas and flavors with a brash, frothy medium-full body and a toasty, cucumber, white nut, raspberry vinaigrette on lettuce and peppery spice-accented finish. Try with summer salads.

84 Hibiscus Saison, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 5.5% ABV (5/11)
Penetrating scarlet pink color. Unusual slightly musty aromas and flavors of sourdough toast, cream cheese, pressed flowers and tart pomegranate ice with a sourish medium body and wispy, wilted beet and radish and flower bed-accented finish.

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