Name: Saison Houblon
Brewer: Burning Sky Brewery (United Kingdom)
Style: Saison (Standard)
ABV: 5.2%
Review Year: 2020
Saison Houblon is a crisp and modern take on the classic Belgian beer style by the English microbrewery, Burning Sky Brewery. This very refreshing and drinkable Saison was made with Nobel hops.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Saison (25B) (Strength: Standard) in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Hazy straw with a white foamy head. The nose opens up with delicate wheat aromas accentuated by lemon zest and honey; others noted additional white grapes. Light-bodied, effervescent, and crisp. A harmonious duality of wheat and sourdough is prominent; bitterness is very low. Subtle funkiness, bubble gum, and coriander unearthed; others noted a mineral-like impression. The aftertaste mirrors the flavor profile with coriander, wheat, cereal, and orange zest.
THE VERDICT
Overall, Burning Sky’s Saison Houblon is a thirst-quenching and effervescent ale that trades bitterness for subtle sourness together with Weissbier and Witbier characteristics, particularly bubble gum and coriander, respectively. However, these mentioned hallmarks may not sit well with more seasoned drinkers or those that prefer the drier, grainy-rustic variants. Very good.
Recommended Reading: The Difference Between Saison and Farmhouse Ale (The Beer Connoisseur, 2019)
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