May Brew Review Thread - Saison

[Donegal john]

Ok so sticking with the saisons even though @AJA one has taken its toll after a few pints in the local
This one had me perplexed.
@SMP Brewery offering.
opened with a small hiss. And poured with a small lacing of a head. Aroma is nothing I have smelled before initially I thought something was amis. Further sniffing led to an aroma of lemongrass and mint ! I was afraid to take a sip of this one but am I glad I did !!!!
the malt is the first thing that hits you followed by that lemon/tart/lemongrass earthiness and a finish of nearly spearmint aftertaste. Really dry finish that leaves your taste buds wondering what the hell is going on.
a very interesting and tasty beer and sorachi ace is something of a weird one in the hop world.
the only thing I would say in a bit more carbonation would be nice but it’s a minor issue a really well made beer and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
every sip I take brings me back again wondering what I’m tasting
Love the variety of these beers we call saisons.
cheers mate. This has left my pallet wondering what the hell is going on.

 

[SMP Brewery]

.
opened with a small hiss.

I was worried about that, tried to use nukatap bottle filler but had issues with foaming, think I’ll bottle fill the next lot I make.

Glad you enjoyed it.. I think

 

[Donegal john]

I was worried about that, tried to use nukatap bottle filler but had issues with foaming, think I’ll bottle fill the next lot I make.

Glad you enjoyed it.. I think

I re read my post and have edited it to include how much I enjoyed it lol. Sorry if it wasn’t clear the first time.

 

[samale]

Starting with @Hazelwood Brewery Saison, I don't know any details which is good.

For starters it's a lovely looking beer, golden slightly hazy with nice soft white head.
Nice floral aroma backed up with a bit of spicy pepper
Real nice flavour to this beer, it's dry but not thin. Good mouth feel with moderate bitterness.
Overall a really enjoyable beer, I am not sure if this is your lab competition beer. Carbonation is on the lighter side for the style so I used an activator glass which really helped.
Thank you for sending, great start to the weekend

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Starting with @Hazelwood Brewery Saison, I don't know any details which is good.

For starters it's a lovely looking beer, golden slightly hazy with nice soft white head.
Nice floral aroma backed up with a bit of spicy pepper
Real nice flavour to this beer, it's dry but not thin. Good mouth feel with moderate bitterness.
Overall a really enjoyable beer, I am not sure if this is your lab competition beer. Carbonation is on the lighter side for the style so I used an activator glass which really helped.
Thank you for sending, great start to the weekend
View attachment 69466

You’re welcome bud. I did include the recipe and LAB Open feedback in a PM you can review when you like.

 

[pilgrimhudd]

@samale sorry mate your one saison seems to have leaked in transit.

 

[Donegal john]

View attachment 69515

@samale sorry mate your one saison seems to have leaked in transit.

It’s for the best. Honestly.

 

[samale]

I will get you over a replacement on Monday

 

[Oneflewover]

@Mash Monster - drinking, and very much enjoying, your saison now. Good hiss on opening. Pretty hazy pale straw colour. Fluffy white head initially, but disappeared quite quickly. Aroma-wise I'm mainly picking up the saison yeast and a bit of citrus, clean malt and nothing that 'shouldn't' be there. The flavour is all about the yeast to start with, although I can tell that you fermented towards the lower end of the yeast's range as it's not over the top. The citrus and a hint of coriander spice comes through at the end, and with a restrained but cleansing bitterness it makes for an extremely refreshing drink. Nice light body and crisp, dry finish, and job's a (very) good 'un!

i tend to make (and if I'm honest, prefer) my saisons around the 7% mark, but this is a really lovely summer drink, bravo sir

 

[Oneflewover]

@pilgrimhudd - time for your saison now. Another nice hiss on opening. Again a lovely pale hazy straw colour. Impressive head upon pouring, but didn't hang around. The aroma is quite clean - interested in the yeast you used, I'll wager it wasn't wy3711 / white labs or dried equivalents. I'm picking up a bit of hop aroma - something 'American'? Otherwise a hint of citrus and bready malt. Flavour again is relatively clean for a saison, but I like the subtlety. A tart and citrus profile, moderate bitterness, cracker-like malt profile. Perfect carbonation, dry and crisp finish with a light body, and.......boom!

I liked this beer very much. It hides the booze well and is very drinkable. If was being ultra-critcal I'd say it lacks a bit of complexity, but overall it was most splendid Indeed

 

[Mash Monster]

@Mash Monster - drinking, and very much enjoying, your saison now. Good hiss on opening. Pretty hazy pale straw colour. Fluffy white head initially, but disappeared quite quickly. Aroma-wise I'm mainly picking up the saison yeast and a bit of citrus, clean malt and nothing that 'shouldn't' be there. The flavour is all about the yeast to start with, although I can tell that you fermented towards the lower end of the yeast's range as it's not over the top. The citrus and a hint of coriander spice comes through at the end, and with a restrained but cleansing bitterness it makes for an extremely refreshing drink. Nice light body and crisp, dry finish, and job's a (very) good 'un!

i tend to make (and if I'm honest, prefer) my saisons around the 7% mark, but this is a really lovely summer drink, bravo sir

Many thanks It’s my first try at a saison hence the low ABV.
It’s interesting that you describe it as ‘hazy’ Did I send you a PET bottle or was it a glass one ?
Once again thanks for your feedback
Cheers

 

[pilgrimhudd]

@pilgrimhudd - time for your saison now. Another nice hiss on opening. Again a lovely pale hazy straw colour. Impressive head upon pouring, but didn't hang around. The aroma is quite clean - interested in the yeast you used, I'll wager it wasn't wy3711 / white labs or dried equivalents. I'm picking up a bit of hop aroma - something 'American'? Otherwise a hint of citrus and bready malt. Flavour again is relatively clean for a saison, but I like the subtlety. A tart and citrus profile, moderate bitterness, cracker-like malt profile. Perfect carbonation, dry and crisp finish with a light body, and.......boom!

I liked this beer very much. It hides the booze well and is very drinkable. If was being ultra-critcal I'd say it lacks a bit of complexity, but overall it was most splendid Indeed

Defo agree its a bit one dimensional, glad you enjoyed it, I'll keep the recipe secret for now, hops were a bit of all sorts, defo a user upper!

 

[Oneflewover]

Many thanks It’s my first try at a saison hence the low ABV.
It’s interesting that you describe it as ‘hazy’ Did I send you a PET bottle or was it a glass one ?
Once again thanks for your feedback
Cheers

It was a glass bottle. I poured carefully, but I only opened the parcel it came in on Friday morning so maybe I disturbed some sediment and it hadn't had time to settle.

Anyway, I kind of expect a saison to be hazy, and it certainly wasn't a criticism. I know my effort is hazy!

 

[Mash Monster]

It was a glass bottle. I poured carefully, but I only opened the parcel it came in on Friday morning so maybe I disturbed some sediment and it hadn't had time to settle.

Anyway, I kind of expect a saison to be hazy, and it certainly wasn't a criticism. I know my effort is hazy!

Ok I expect that was why
Thanks again I glad you enjoyed it

 

[Agentgonzo]

Cheers Alastair. I liked that beer a lot and will brew it again as it’s refreshing. Thankfully I have a 5l mini keg of this for taking away in the caravan.
Thanks for the kind review.

I've just polished off a 5l minikeg of my saison whilst camping! Much easier than a bunch of bottles!

 

[Donegal john]

I've just polished off a 5l minikeg of my saison whilst camping! Much easier than a bunch of bottles!

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Mash Monster]

@Hazelwood Brewery
After waiting 7 days for your beer to settle in the fridge I decided to try it today and am I glad that I did !
The bottle opened with a slight fizz and I was concerned it would be under carbonated but my concerns were soon extinguished and I slowly poured a highly carbonated, light golden, slightly hazy beer with a tight creamy white head.
The aroma is was what I can only describe as ‘saison’ with a hint of pepper.
The initial taste is citrusy with a pleasant orange flavour finishing with a spicy aftertaste which was most enjoyable. After a few sips there is a slight warming of alcohol just enough to let you know that this is a beer to be savoured and not one to just pour down your neck !
Thank you for sending me this one 10/10 a lovely drink

 

[Alastair70]

Late review, I drank @Hazelwood Brewery saison at the BBQ last night, but kept notes.
Nice citrus fruit aroma with a bit of peppery spice coming through. The flavour is a nice balance of peppery phenols, crackery malts and citrus hops with none of them standing out above the rest. I got none of the alcohol warmth that the judges remarked on.
It poured with a good head that dissipated quickly, I’m blaming the plastic glass that I use for outside drinking. The finish was dry and refreshing. I though it was well brewed and bang on style. Cheers H, what a great beer to indulge while engaging in my favourite activity.

 

[Donegal john]

Last one to review @Broken Toe saision
Lovely looking beer perfectly carbonated nice soft white head. That gets refreshed with a constant stream of bubbles
Very subtle aroma with a bit of clove and some banana and again these are evident in the taste. Very dry finish that is perfect in the fading sunshine.
A very well made beer
Cheers.

 

[Alastair70]

My last Saison, also from @Broken Toe.
Great clarity and perfectly carbonated. The aroma is of peppery phenols. Flavour wise, it’s yeast forward with the balance towards pepper over stone fruit esters. A light grainy malt and noble hop character adds to the overall balance of the beer. Its well attenuated with a long dry finish, I ripped through it no time.
I don’t think I’ll be brewing the GH saison again. I liked all of the guest brews, and all had very different personalities. This style is going to be a summer staple going foward.