Farmhouse Ales
These farmhouse ales tend toward the funkier side, with mixed cultures adding acidity and fruit notes to balance the familiar farmhouse phenolics for which the style is known.
Sante Adairius Saison Bernice
Mixed-fermentation saison. There’s something about the stainless fermentation of Saison Bernice that just lets the culture sing without some of the weightier fruit flavors of richer wood fermentations. Light acidity, subtle white-pepper saison phenolics, lemon and apricot fruit notes, and a vague hint of saddle leather give it a brightness that’s hard to beat.
ABV: 6.5% IBUS: N/A Loc: Capitola, California
TRVE Brewing Psychopomp
Mixed-culture saison with Mosaic and Galaxy. A sweaty, slightly citrusy nose layers hops funk with yeast funk to stellar effect. The sip is slightly less precise, with a soft roll-in for lemon-lime hops flavor that overpowers more farmhouse notes, but resolves and finishes crisp and clean. A gorgeous example of acidity complementing hops.
ABV: 5.7% IBUS: N/A Loc: Denver, Colorado
Casey Brewing and Blending East Bank
Mixed-fermentation farmhouse ale aged in wood with honey.
Honey in mixed-fermentation farmhouse beers often produces stellar results (see Hill Farmstead’s Anna), and Casey’s East Bank is another prime expression. Juicy citrus, stone-fruit, and tropical notes blend with a touch of Brett and leathery honey funk for a beautiful balance.
ABV: 5.5% IBUS: N/A Loc: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Monkish Brewing Composed of Nows
Blended mixed-culture saison. American approaches to tart and funky mixed-fermentation saisons tend to be heavy-handed, but this saison from Monkish goes the other direction, prizing subtlety and nuance over bombast and intensity. The light crackery malt character sits astride a faint orange-lemon-lime acidity, with bits of hay and a slight Brett bitterness. ABV: 5.9% IBUS: N/A Loc: Torrance, California
Proclamation Brewing Stereo > Mono
Oak-aged grisette. A very light lemon-tangerine citrus note hints at a tartness that isn’t overbearing, while a very light funk note keeps things interesting. The sip delivers a bright initial acid hit that morphs into perceived citrus sweetness before resolving into a zesty drying note. ABV: 5.9% IBUS: N/A Loc: Warwick, Rhode Island