Novel Brewing Hibiscus Saison

LOC: Berkeley, California ABV: 7% | IBUS: N/A | SRM: N/A

What the brewer says

“A lemon to berry-like flavor from the generous use of dried hibiscus flowers in the kettle and in the fermentor, which gives the beer a pink to ruby red appearance. A subtle citrus character is produced from the hops to offset the slight bitter and spicy note that refreshes the palate.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Hibiscus comes across as a mix of raspberry and cranberry. There’s some orange peel and a fair amount of herbal, faintly soapy, and grassy-like wet hay.” Flavor: “The base beer brings some light malt body to play off of the esters from the hibiscus. Great fruity tartness up front, but some mild oxidation, and a slight smoky phenol.” Overall: “Fruity, funky, and dry. Some might find the saison fermentation character is a bit over the top and that it detracts from the rest of the beer, but there are some great tart notes from the hibiscus.” 86 AROMA: 11 APPEARANCE: 3 FLAVOR: 17 MOUTHFEEL: 4 OVERALL: 8