Ovila Saison
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California, United States 🇺🇸
Farmhouse - Saison Rotating Out of Production|
Score
7.16
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A collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co and the monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux, Ovila Abbey Saison brings the centuries-old monastery brewing tradition to America.
Ovila Abbey Saison is complex and contemplative-but also refreshingly dry and drinkable. With earthy and spicy aromas, this rustic Saison has note of green grass and a faint citrus tang. The body is light and layered with fruit and spice accents and a dry, peppery finish.
A portion of the proceedsfrom this ale go toward the restoration of the historic Santa Maria de Oliva chapter house on the grounds of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. This medieval building stood for nearly eight centuries in Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery in 1931 and planned to use the stones for a castle even grander than his famous San Simeon. Although Hearst’s plan crumbled, these historic stones will rise again in a California Cistercian abbey.
Ovila Abbey Saison is complex and contemplative-but also refreshingly dry and drinkable. With earthy and spicy aromas, this rustic Saison has note of green grass and a faint citrus tang. The body is light and layered with fruit and spice accents and a dry, peppery finish.
A portion of the proceedsfrom this ale go toward the restoration of the historic Santa Maria de Oliva chapter house on the grounds of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. This medieval building stood for nearly eight centuries in Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery in 1931 and planned to use the stones for a castle even grander than his famous San Simeon. Although Hearst’s plan crumbled, these historic stones will rise again in a California Cistercian abbey.
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7.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
It’s a gentle, pleasant saison that drinks easily but lacks any great depth of character. I would have liked to see SN push things a bit more with this beer. The aroma is fresh grain, bananas, lemons, mild pepper and some more spice - maybe, a little clove and coriander. It kinda tends toward German wheat beer flavors. The taste starts sweet with a little tang and finishes mildly dry with a very nice grassy, citrus hop note. Mouthfeel is kinda low on carbonation for the style but fine, otherwise. Appearance is a translucent and fairly light orange amber with a big white head. This is a good saison but too safe and a touch too sweet for me.
Tried
on 21 Jul 2011
at 22:30
8.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 10
Overall 8.5
750 c&c from Taylors Market in Sacramento, CA. Opened with a bang. Pours Orange gold with a creamy 2 finger off-white head. Smells of earth and fruit. Hints of citrus and ripe peach. Med body. Flavor is nicely barnyard. Maybe a hint of sour. Earthy. Even brings old fashioned linoleum paste to mind. Astringent. Dry. Yeasty too. This is really good and I think spot on style.
Tried
on 14 Jul 2011
at 17:51