French Oak Saison
New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States 🇺🇸
Farmhouse - Sour Saison Rotating Out of Production|
Score
6.96
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To understand "Belgian-style beer" is to understand Belgium's nuanced regions and historical past. To the north, we have Flanders, a region invaded and occupied by many foreign powers over hundreds of years, known for everything from white beer to oak-aged sour brown ales.
To the south, we have Wallonia, a region known for its rich farmland, industrial coalfields, French culture and farmhouse ales like Biere de Garde and saison. Our French Oak Saison pulls inspiration from both regions by marrying a dry, hop-forward Wallonia-style saison with a golden ale soured in French oak foeders for 15 to 18 months -- a method derived from Flanders. The rye and spelt grains in the saison contribute to a medium-light body while the Huell Melon and Tettnang hops give aromas of honeydew and white pepper.
The result is a rustic, goldenrod yellow saison offering pleasant lemon and white grape aromas and a bright, mouthwatering sourness with a clean, dry finish.
A true blending of inspirations.
To the south, we have Wallonia, a region known for its rich farmland, industrial coalfields, French culture and farmhouse ales like Biere de Garde and saison. Our French Oak Saison pulls inspiration from both regions by marrying a dry, hop-forward Wallonia-style saison with a golden ale soured in French oak foeders for 15 to 18 months -- a method derived from Flanders. The rye and spelt grains in the saison contribute to a medium-light body while the Huell Melon and Tettnang hops give aromas of honeydew and white pepper.
The result is a rustic, goldenrod yellow saison offering pleasant lemon and white grape aromas and a bright, mouthwatering sourness with a clean, dry finish.
A true blending of inspirations.
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7.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Bottle from Whole Foods, 8-24-17
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Oct 2017
at 22:14
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Bottle at SBWF. Hazy orange colour, small white head. Citrus, riped fruits, maybe light wood in the nose. Medium-bodied. Citrus tartness, riped fruits, apricot and wood in the flavour. Wineous. Feels too clean, nothing too funky here.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Oct 2017
at 08:33
7.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Straw gold with a head of foam that recedes slowly.
In the nose I get cloves, tart fruit, bits of Brett, pepper.
Okay tart taste up front, some barnyard, coriander and cloves. Extremely dry especially in the finish.
Very lively carbonation, this is a good one.
In the nose I get cloves, tart fruit, bits of Brett, pepper.
Okay tart taste up front, some barnyard, coriander and cloves. Extremely dry especially in the finish.
Very lively carbonation, this is a good one.
Tried
on 10 Aug 2017
at 18:04
7/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
On tap at Monks American Bar, Stockholm. Hazy golden with a small head. Tart with berries, light oak, yeast and funk. The body was medium and the finish dry. Quite soft and easy to drink.
Tried
from Draft
on 02 Aug 2017
at 02:34
7.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Sample at the taproom. Hazy bright golden color with a white head that dissipates steadily to an outer ring. Stringy lacing. Tart fruit, oak and yeast aroma. Medium body with flavors of peppery yeast, oak, tart fruit and doughy malt. The finish is moderately sour with a lemony aftertaste. Above average overall.
Tried
from Draft
on 17 Jul 2017
at 22:04
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
22 oz bottle poured. A shiny golden pour with a foam head that fades. Funky aroma, with oak, straw, and sour fruit. Flavor is packed with a dry oak front, tart and spice. A ton of wine like notes. Some white grape. A nice tart constant going on here. A long, dry, soft spiced finish. A ton of unique character to this one. Flavorful, and has a refreshing side. Enjoyed this a ton.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Jun 2017
at 21:15
8.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bomber. Hazy straw yellow, large creamy off-white head, good retention. Aroma of funk, lemon, pale malt, oak, pepper, tangerine. The taste is bright citrus, bright tropical fruit, tangerine, pepper. Pale malt, almost doughy. Medium bodied, well balanced. Juicy, mild lingering tartness. Nice.
Tried
on 10 Jun 2017
at 20:08
6.2/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Hazy dull golden. Thin soapy sheets of lacing. Mild French farmhouse yeast flavors. Full bodied and smooth. Some light citrusy flavors. Subtle oak notes.
Tried
on 01 Jun 2017
at 16:38
7/10
orange golden body, fluffy head subsides fast. Aroma hints at sour characteristics, which come forward in the taste. grapes, wine come to mind. Saison may be base beer, but buried under layers
Tried
on 19 May 2017
at 19:03
6.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Pretty good, but the foeder beer completely overwhelms whatever Saison notes we’re supposed to be getting. Mostly tart, with a lacto sourness on top of a mildly grassy base, hints of clove and wheat but mainly piercing citrus with an oak finish. Looks pretty good, gold with a bright white head and lots of lace, but tastes like a Saison in name only.
Tried
on 15 May 2017
at 21:56