I took that picture for this beer, that was the first time I tried the Saison, a tasting where notalush (Brandon) provided the bottle. I have had this beer a few more times since moving to Kansas. Now it wont be made again, so its time to finally rate this beer. Bottle is stamped S8060, so it was bottled on the 60th day of 2008, so bottled on February 29, 2008, making it just about 2 years old. I think the was the second release of this beer. This was the 4th of the original Smokestack releases (and the best as far as I’m concerned). I think this beer embodies all that makes Boulevard a terrific regional/craft brewer. The cork comes off just right, does not give too much and needs just a little bit of strength. I believe Boulevard filters and then reseeds the bottles, this allows for a wonderful pour. The beer is slightly hazy with a muted golden color. This allows for a wonderful looking beer that has life in its color without murkiness, dirtiness and yet not a sterile, lifeless appearance. Can still see the carbonation bubbles shooting up towards the surface. The head that forms in my glass is not large but it never goes away. Probably the product of the hoping and wheat used in the brew. The aroma is strong with spicy dough and the a sweet yeasty dough. The Belgian-yeast-sweet aspect is central here. The yeast spice is very peppery in this beer. The flavor is a honey-malt centric. The hops seemed to have faded from this beer by now. The yeast dough is present as well. The yeast spice really comes out at the end of the flavor. Its a rather sweet Saison, not sweetness from residual sugars but a sweet presence from the malts combined with a great thicker yet soft body. The body is present but not heavy, leaves its presence on the palate. I am sad to see this go but life moves on. I think the stronger honey character is coming out from the age. Otherwise, there are not other negative signs. There is a light lemony character running throughout the beer, easing the sweeter aspects of the beer. The new Saison that will take over (Tank 7) is definitely more easy for more people to like (hoppy). I think this beer is simple yet right on the money. Definitely carefully structured, not haphazardly thrown together and aging well. The beer gets thicker and thicker as I keep pouring it. This is also my favorite label from the Smokestack Series. Unfortunately, this is the least alcoholic Smokestack and seemingly this is the cause for its poor sales.
750mL cork&wire, Darkness tulip/snifter glass.

750 ml. Hazy depp gold body with a huge, frothy white head, mostly lasting. Yeasty aroma of cobwebs with a hint of lacquer and pepper. Notes of toasted grain, citrus, orange, flowers, lemon, sugar. The flavor is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic and lightly bitter. It finishes lightly sweet and moderately bitter and lightly acidic. Dry, Medium to full body, watery turning velvety texture, lively carbonation. The beer starts sweet with tastes of orange and pineapple, but turns nicely bitter with a lingering flavor of flowers in the finish. The bitterness lasts. A quality and interesting saison.