April 2014 Magnum shared by Adam C on 7/25/15.
Another fantastic pour, obviously having had a good deal of time to really build up plenty of carbonation in the bottle. Large white head tops a soft golden, lightly hazy body.
I believe as soon as we started drinking this, immediately following Arthur (could be Ann vs Anna, but it’s the same argument), someone said right away, "Wow, not even close between this and Arthur." (implying this, being barrel-aged, was way better). I VERY quickly disagreed and while I don’t know if it’s better or worse, I don’t like that barrel aging is just automatically associated with higher quality, more finely crafted beers. Sure, the beer takes longer to produce but I don’t think that says anything about quality. I’m not always in the mood for a more dull, tannic, lactic, generally drier, lighter beer. Especially the case here, where I much preferred the aroma on Arthur, being completely different and vastly brighter. Still just as complex despite the lack of the wine and wood element. I think people often vastly overestimate the effect barrel-aging has on a beer.
ANYWAYS....this was much more reserved in the nose than CD14; not a noseful of wine at all and the sauv blanc is very nicely integrated, allowing citrus, vanilla and light cereal grain notes. Dulled by the tannin, as expected, and I much prefer the regular version’s aroma.
Strong acids in the mouth show grape and lactic influences, with honey-like maltiness, bread dough and moderate fruitiness (stone fruits, light citrus). Lip smacking acidity on the end is very well balanced thanks to the attenuation level, which is near-perfect here, allowing enough malt texture and sugar to balance. Lemons and soft, light floral notes linger. Tight carbonation as always from HF.

Magnum poured by Adam, thanks man! 04/2014 batch. Nice clarity .. Mildly hazy, good carbonation, lasting head. Aroma is mild wine barrel, wheat, soft oak, maybe lemongrass.

Flavor is about as well integrate as you can get for a barrel aged saison. Wheat and grain base with a great soft oak with hints of tannins. Very delicate. Wow... What else can I really say here? Bad ass!

Poured from magnum thanks AdamChandler for the Ratebeer Farmhouse Magnum Tasting. Color is clear golden with a thin white head. Aromas of wine funk oak and spice. Taste is wine and soft funk with a nice balanced dry finish.

Bottle thanks to Will. Pours a hazy gold with medium creamy white head that lasts. The aroma is strong yeast, pepper, white wine, funk, citrus. Thin mouth, funk, white wine, light tartness with lingering dryness. Very nice.

Bottle with huge thanks to Jason - shared among friends. Pours cloudy golden, small white head, good lacing. Aroma is oak, dusty, fruity, some cut grass. Light tart, medium funky, barnyards, mineral water. Light plus body, creamy soft HF signature mouthfeel. Shawn is clearly making the best Saisons available right now.

Bottle shared at The Hague New Year Whale Session. Pours hazy orange with an off white head. Aroma is vinous, white wine showing up, peppery saison yeast, citrus, light oak and nice light funky aspects. Flavour is light to light moderate sweet and light moderate acidic. Over medium bodied with light carbonation.

From notes of Saturday's tasting. Batch 2 bottle. Aroma is fairly wine forward with medium light wine barrel character. Light peppery phenolics with light fruit notes of melon, citrus and grapes. Pours a cloudy hay-like yellow gold with a thin white head. Faint lacing. Flavor is fairly wine forward with some white grape notes an tannins. Light citrus and melon also present. Dry finish with medium bitterness. Medium mineral character. Faint esters and medium phenolics. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Nice softness to it with low astringency and alcohol warmth. Overall another great saison that is once again minerally but soft as well. Nice wine and tannin notes add complexity and a touch of fruitiness while adding to the perception of dryness. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Bottle. Cloudy yellow color, large white head. Aroma of dusty and funky summer fruit. Taste is softly sour and dusty stonefruit. Very nice.

Bottle via international trade; cloudy dark yellow pour with big billowing white head, bit of a funky aroma, sour funkiness come through in the taste hay, some red grapes, a woody earthiness to it with a hint of spice.