Summer Saisons
Saisons, or “farmhouse ales” are a style of beer that almost became extinct. They were traditionally brewed at the beginning of winter for warm weather consumption in Belgium and parts of France. Belgian and French farmers, hence the name farmhouse ales, brewed these rustic low alcohol beers for the field workers refreshment. Saisons were tough to find in the marketplace or at local breweries until the last few years when creative American brewers brought the style back into popularity. The creativity of American brewers has led them to take the Saison to new directions by adding different locally-sourced ingredients to make the beer even more complex.
6DLVRQ DV D VW\OH LV WRXJK WR GHɹQH DV WKHUH DUH PDQ\ GLʃHUHQW LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV RI LW IURP brewery to brewery. Each is unique and Saisons DUH NQRZQ IRU D GU\ ɹQLVK DQG UXVWLF TXDOLW\ Aromas can vary from peach and passion fruit to orange and lychee. Most Saisons will also exhibit D FKDUDFWHULVWLF VSLFLQHVV LQ WKH ɻDYRU ZKLFK can include black pepper, ginger, coriander DQG YDQLOOD QRWHV 7KHLU ɻDYRU SURɹOH FRPELQHV fruitiness and spice and can be very complex.
American brewers have brought their creativity while resurrecting the style and have brewed some quite interesting interpretations. Some will have a malty sweetness with favors of bubblegum or banana similar to some Hefeweizens. Others will have some earthiness, while some will exhibit a hint of tartness in the flavor profile. Most American Saisons will have a good amount of hop bitterness to balance the complex flavors of the beer.
So give Saison, or farmhouse ale, a try if you get the chance and you will experience a very unique, refreshing and complex beer! Cheers!
Rob Mcferren is the owner of Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.