I just had a Magic Hat Séance dark saison. Didn’t know what to expect but it hits all the basics on the BJCP guidelines with the additional touch of roastiness. At 4.5% it drinks easy.
+1 on the Stillwater. Great beers.
^ Definitely enough positive feedback to try more from Stillwater.
Every once in awhile - you just get a bad bottle!
Stillwater’s beers are also made in many different places. The year-round beers just switched to a new contract brewery in Connecticut, so who knows if that changed anything. Special releases are still made either in Baltimore or at a brewery where he’s gypsy-ing.
I agree with recomendations for Stillwater and I love Tank 7 and Dupont. I recently had a dry hopped version of the Dupont (I can’t remember what it was called) and it was awsome.
I don’t know if you can get it your area but Mystic Brewery makes some killer Saisons. They are in I believe Chelsea MA. I have tried evey one of their beers I could get my hands on a loved them all.
I’ve had this on tap a couple times at my “local” and really enjoy it. I think they call in “Dry Hopped Saison Du Pont.” At least that’s what the chalk board said.
I think Funkwerks out of Ft Collins just made it into Nebraska. Their regular Saison got a gold at the GABF last year - and they won small brewery of the year.
You are correct sir. I’m going to start having my sister run me some FW across the state line when she moves up there.
FWIW, Tank 7 is still the ultimate saison for me.
I’d be very happy if Funkwerks began distribution in Texas, even if it was just their standard saison.
Looks like I’ll be making another trip to the store to try to find the Funkwerks. I did get to try a Saison fermented in a gin barrel at Upstream Brewery recently. It wasn’t great, but not bad either. So far Tank 7 is the one I’m liking the best.
Finally got to try FunkWerks. It is for sure worth a visit if you get the chance.
The Saison was so nice flavorful and clean…if that is a word you can use with saision.
Had the bbl aged quad and it stood out as a great beer also. I liked the strong belgian golden
and the apricot saison as well. Had to drive so had to stop tasting.
;D
I really like Tank 7 but am also a fan of Allagash Saison.
I love Saisons… that’s my favorite style. I’m scrolling through my untappd to see if I can find any of the ones I like that you might be able to get. A lot of them may only be available in Oregon.
I liked the Three Eyed Raven (Game of Thrones) beer from Ommegang, although that’s a “Red Saison” so a little darker than is typical. Upright is hit or miss for me, I liked the Saison Orsted but both Four and Seven weren’t to my liking. Urban Farmhouse from The Commons is good but that may be Oregon only.
Second and Third all the suggestions of Saison DuPont if you can get it fresh.
I wasn’t a big fan of Upright but I really enjoy The Commons’ beers. I think Upright distributes a little out of OR but if The Commons gets out of OR then it’s likely only to WA.
Not sure that freshness is the issue with Dupont Saison Vieille so much as avoiding the skunk in the green bottles. Dupont already has Vieille in brown 375ml bottles and is transitioning to brown 750ml bottles for the US market. Not sure if or when the other Dupont beers will make the change.
St. Feuillien Saison has become my favorite commercial version, better and more reliable than DuPont. All St. Feuillien beers are stellar.
My own recipe is my favorite homebrewed version. Stupid simple recipe, just Belgian pils malt, Kent Goldings (boil and finish), and shoot for upper 50’s O.G. Sometimes I add some Candy syrup. Try using a continuous-rising mash from 113-162 degrees over 90 minutes as described in Farmhouse Ales. I use either WLP565 or Belle Saison yeast, start it off in the mid-70’s and crank it up to mid/upper 80’s over 7 days.
Always turns out.
My three favourite saisons, in no particular order:
Dupont - as others have said, the standard by which other saisons are judged. Delicious refreshing goodness.
Tank 7 - have only had this a couple of times, but damn it made an impression. Again, refreshing, and bursting with flavour.
Saison Cazeau - made with elderflowers, smells amazing, tastes spicy and sharp.