TLDR Beer Club

[MrWookie]

Today was probably the first real day of spring in Rochester. We've had some sunny days earlier in the month, but they were shortly followed with snow. Today, we almost hit 70, there's not a cloud in the sky, and snow is finally nowhere to be seen in the forecast. Consequently, it seemed right to try one of the classic spring beers, the saison. The only saison I've had so far is Ommegang's Hennepin. I was a little underwhelmed, but it was good for what it was. Tonight, I'm reviewing Flying Dog's attempt, their Wild Dog. I paid $9.57 for a 750 mL bottle of this beer. It would have been a whopping $11.65 regular price. It weighs in at 7.3% ABV, a little lighter than the Hennepin.



This is a bottle-conditioned beer, but it poured clearer than I expected. The head was large and bubbly. Once I swirled in the yeast that had settled, it naturally was a little cloudier. The yeast was a nice addtion to the flavor, too, but it's hard to mix it in on the first pour of a 750.



The bottle indicates that this was brewed with honey and curacao orange peel. I detect a hint of citrus in the aroma, but not so much on the honey. Mostly I smell a light malt and mild hopping. The taste is very mild, as with the Hennepin. It's mostly a light malt and light hopping without too many frills. The finish is nicer though. The citrus and honey come through a little better. It's not too sweet though. I'm awarding this beer [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img][img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img][img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] and a half [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], and I'd say that the last half heart of that is for being good for this variety rather than good across all styles of beer. I'm thinking that saisons must be the chardonnay of beers. They're light and mild, and while they can be good, they're not generally as bombastic as some other varieties. I'm pretty surprised at the high price commanded by these beers, though. I probably won't be buying any more. It's approaching the realm of Unibroue's 750's and even Allagash's oak aged premium beers, which blow this beer out of the water, at least for my preferences.

I have one more saison from Southampton to review, so we'll have to see if they can save this variety in my eyes. Currently, I probably won't bother buying any more of these beers given their high price and relative mediocrity of flavor.

[metsandfinsfan]

Tried steel reserve for the first time tonight

WOWZERS

8.1 % alcohol ... and 1.49 for a 24 oz can at my local 7-11

so basically -- so basically 3 of these have about as much alcohol as a 12 pack of bud

and wow do they go down smooth

tonight was my first time trying it .. and im sold

[steelcmg]

[ QUOTE ]
Tried steel reserve for the first time tonight

WOWZERS

8.1 % alcohol ... and 1.49 for a 24 oz can at my local 7-11

so basically -- so basically 3 of these have about as much alcoholc as a 12 pack of bud

and wow do they go down smooth

tonight was my first time trying it .. and im sold

[/ QUOTE ]

I use to drink that horse piss when i was 17... I tired it again last year and it took everything i had to keep it down i don't care if i ever drink it again

[MrWookie]

I have a second Saison to review tonight, this time from Southampton. This brewery has clearly demonstrated their competency with brewing Belgian beer, so I have high hops for this one. I paid $9.89 for a 750 mL bottle. It's 7.4% ABV is on par for the style.



This is another bottle conditioned beer. It's head is similar to the Wild Dog: big at the beginning, but it doesn't hang out too long. The color is the familiar cloudy gold.



The smell of this beer is a little sweeter than the others. I distinctly smell peach along with the usual light malt. The flavor, for me, is better than the other Saisons. It's reminiscent of a mild trippel, actually. There's the usual light malt with a little bit of tartness. It's joined by a little bit of fruitiness I enjoy. The herbal character I've tasted slightly in the other saisons is just a hair more pronounced in this one, and to good effect. I'm going to award this beer [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img][img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img][img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img][img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. This is a similarly optimistic rating to the Wild Dog, in that it's getting some bonus points for being good as a saison, even if it's only giving me about 3.5 hearts of pleasure drinking it. Still, if you're a saison lover, this is the one to try. Personally, I'm still underwhelmed w/ this variety of beer, at least for the price, but this one has at least come close to being worthwhile IMHO.