The perfect saison for the holiday season

If you are a beer lover, and particularly fond of the Belgium sour beers, there’s a new one on the shelf here that you need to try – Innis & Gunn Raspberry Barrel Aged Saison.

Traditionally Saison ales were bottle aged, made in winter, and released in summer. The malt was acidic due to the addition of berry fruits. The yeast was wild. The result was a light, extraordinarily refreshing beer with a tart finish. These days, the HopHead crowd is only interested in beers with six per cent and higher alcohol, so the alk levels have crept up.

Innis & Gunn, the innovative Scottish brewery, produces a barrel-aged version that is an absolutely fabulous beer. I can’t tell you when I last enjoyed a beer this much. The yeast is from Belgium. The bouquet is tart and berry like. The texture is much rounder due to the barrel aging. And the finish is balanced and long. If you’re a beer lover you need to try this one.

In other winter ale news, Mano’s has released their Barleywine. As usual Cliff and Louis and I sat down for a vertical tasting. The Barleywine gets better every year. I am laying down my purchases for three years but I think that horizon may be extended in the near future. Kendra took over the brewing from Cliff this year and while it is a perfectly drinkable – and very enjoyable – Barleywine now, I think in four years it will be at it’s peak.

If you’re a winter ale fan you need to buy a couple of bottles and lay them down for Christmas yet to come.

Innis & Gunn Raspberry Barrel Aged Saison $7.50 *****

Mano’s Barleywine $25 *****

Award winning Caesar next week. Other wines on Twitter @drbooze.