Leapbeer Reviews – An Evening of Saisons

Recently I shared a trio of Saisons that I’d been eagerly awaiting with my sister. The three for that evenings tasting were, Saison Diego by Green Flash, Wasteland Elderflower Saison by Elysian and Saison Sauvin by 8 Wired Brewing. It was the beginning of the fall, and with the last harvests coming in it felt fitting to honor the ale of the farmhand.

First up was Saison Diego from Green Flash Brewing Company in California. I was really curious to see how the added spices (see quote below) added and played together in this Saison. The bottle has right on it, ale brewed with Spice. There is no ABV listed on the bottle, but I can find it out thru Untappd. This is a loudy golden coloured beer. It smells a bit sweet, but it also smells like a golden ale yeast. It sounds like a cop out, but this beer has a very beer smell. It’s definitely Saison-esque, although it is lighter than I expected. I would say that it is more reminiscent of an original style of Saison, where it was made to quaff the thirst of the farmhands. It is a very refreshing beer. You get flavours of spice, a bit peppery, but others as well. I really like it. Not much of a head on it, slightly carbonation. Rim of light bubbles. A very easy finishing, easy drinking Saison. Here’s the notes from their website (link below).

Unfiltered golden farmhouse ale, brewed with Seville orange peels, Chinese ginger and grains of paradise. Light, bright, spicy aromas, lively carbonation and earthy flavors co-mingle with musty notes that add funky complexity.

Leapbeer #253 is Saison Diego by Green Flash Brewing

Brewery: Green Flash Brewing of San Diego California
Released: Unknown
Size/ABV: 650ml Bottle/4.3% ABV
Availability: Limited
Purchased @: Top Shelf Liquor Store
Webpage: http://www.greenflashbrew.com/our-beers.php
Other Reviews: http://ithinkaboutbeer.com/2012/06/14/green-flash-saison-diego/

Next we moved on to the Elysian Wasteland Elderflower Saison. This is the sixth of their 12 brews of the apocalypse series of beers. It is listed as the perfect nuclear winter summer seasonal, with dried elderflowers and saison yeast. A cloudy amber beer, with a tight bubble frothy head. Smells piney and fruity, very impressive. Tastes as advertised, a berry flavoured Saison. I really like the way the elderflower notes compliment the peppery saison yeast. I find this very refreshing.

Leapbeer #254 is Wasteland Elderflower Saison by Elysian Brewing Company of Seattle WA

Brewery: Elysian Brewing Company of Seattle WA
Released: June 21st 2012
Size/ABV: 650ml Bottle/6.8% ABV
Availability: Very Limited
Purchased @: Cascadia Liquor Store on Quadra St in Victoria
Other Reviews: http://www.beerthirst.com/elysian-wasteland-elderflower-saison-vancouver-bc/

Next we went to Saison Sauvin by 8 Wired Brewing. To say I was eager to try this beer is an understatement. With all the joy of flavour that I received from their Hop Wired IPA I had high hopes for this next beer. This beer didn’t disappoint. I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed this beer. It had the complex fruitiness from the NZ hops varieties, highlighted by the Nelson Sauvin hops. This time their tropical punchbowl is accented with the peppery saison yeast. It tastes like sunshine in a glass. I decided a while back to do a ‘best of leapbeer’ tasting event and I’ve already locked down a couple more bottles of this to include in it.

Leapbeer #255 is Saison Sauvin by 8 Wired Brewing

Brewery: 8 Wired Brewing of Marlborough, New Zealand
Released: Unknown
Size/ABV: 5o0ml Bottle/7.0% ABV
Availability: Limited
Purchased @: Cascadia Liquor Store on Quadra St in Victoria
Website: http://8wired.co.nz/our-brews/saison-sauvin-0
Other Review: http://www.beergeeknation.com/ryan/beer-geek-nation-presents-san-diego-beer-vlog-8-wired-saison-sauvin-video-beer-review/

I have a black saison I was intending to cap the night with, but we had to cut it short. Look for it in a future review.

Thanks for reading

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