BIS011 - Saison

A crisp, clean saison offering a delicate balance of fruity esters and spicy phenols. Golden orange in colour, full flavoured with a dry finish for maximum refreshment and drinkability. 

Fruity, floral aroma with notes of blackcurrant, elderflower and orange citrus. Spicy on the palate; white pepper and cloves mingle amicably with a cocktail of big fruit flavours - gooseberry and white grape, banana, blackcurrant and a tangy vinous sharpness. Long dry finish with lingering residues of fruit and a hint of earthy cedar.

What The Hell Was I Thinking?

Saisons come in all shapes and sizes but there are a few descriptors that generally apply across the board: highly drinkable, dry and complex with a good balance of fruity esters and spicy phenols. It’s one of my favourite beer styles, and I’ve brewed enough of them to understand that the yeast is the star here. The Wyeast 3726 ‘Farmhouse Ale’ strain apparently originates from the renowned Basserie du Blaugies and is favoured among regular brewers of saison and Belgian farmhouse styles for its ability to deliver those descriptors above, in particular the delicate complexity that elevates one saison above another. I love it for these reasons too and had no hesitation in selecting it for this brew. 

Obviously the malt and hops play a vital role too; Celeia and Brewer’s Gold are both a great fit for saisons, Celeia in particular being a regular feature of Belgian brewing generally, with its punchy citrus and balancing floral/spice making it a natural accompaniment to Belgian yeast. Brewer’s Gold gives a strong blackcurrant note and to me, just smells like a saison when the bag is opened. Mittelfruh is another classic, and is used here as a dry hop to provide a light floral aroma. Rye in the grist adds another spicy layer, and the combination of extra pale Maris Otter and Vienna give a solid but not overwhelming malt character along with the characteristic golden orange colour.

As it turned out, getting this brew right took a while and the original version didn’t work out. The yeast struggled the first time round and didn’t manage the crisp, dry profile required of a saison so that batch ended up down the drain. Having got the yeast into shape though the second fermentation was spot on, and well worth the wait.

Naturally carbonated, vegan friendly