375 mL bottle from the brewery, freshly drunk on 5/19/15
Bright marigold-goldenrod body shows just a light haziness, leaving the sediment in the bottom. White head is large, initially and slowly recedes to cover.
Yes, this has saison in its name and commercial description (albeit Seaside Saison), and there are certainly saison elements here, as there are in most goses. This is certainly a gose, however. Very light sea salt in the nose is wrapped about delicate meyer lemon and touches of honey from the pils malt. Acidity is plentiful on the end, both a tart yogurt-like note and some white pepper-like spiciness. As it warms, an element of brine is certainly there, if you’re looking for it. Mostly like an oyster stout in the sense that you’d never know there were lobsters here, but I’d like to think it’s giving a bit of seawater to the nose. No alcohol or flaws.
Both salty and tart up front, which is a bit eye-opening at first, as the tartness is quite citric (heavy lemon). It softens considerably through the middle leaving light sea salt and lactic acid on the finish, mixed in with just enough honey-like maltiness to balance. Soft, nearly creamy texture with tight carbonation and moderate wateriness due to the low gravity and nature of the style. Takes on an almost chewy, wheat-like texture as well, upon more warming.
Split this small bottle with my girlfriend and we both sipped it, pondered it, finished it and then afterwards both looked up and said "Holy shit, that was good!" Definitely grows on you. The quintessential gose, for the most part, in my book, and the epitome of how I feel about this brewery. I’m angry I havent sought these guys out before; they’re making some of the best Belgian beer I’ve tried in a long while, which is no easy task.

Draught at the Portland location, 5/17/15
Foamy white head atop a lightly hazy, deep golden-hay colored body. Retention is strong.
Fruity and juicy hops give off a lush beginning to the nose, as very light honey sits in the background, balancing. Moderate acidity, more of a floral and moderately citric quality, is what is left on the end. Even after having only 5 of these guys beers, you just know theyre not ever going to let you down with a resin-bomb or the likes. Even here, with their 6% pale-malted IPA, it’s mostly delicate or at least just full of lively fruits and such. No alcohol or flaws.
The flavor is equally juicy, with bitterness growing but then tapering off on the finish and never beginning to chip at the palate. Soft honey, with a refreshing, zesty carbonation. Perhaps a bit more citrus and juicy fruitiness than even I would like, but it’s difficult to nitpick here.

Draught at Oxbow, Portland, 5/17/15
Brilliant golden pour with a lovely white head atop. Mildly hazy.
Soft but well-done hoppy nose showcases light herbs, plenty of floral notes and some juicier, succulent green grass. Very light esters (nectarine-like) mix with this and as light acidity joins the mix, it’s got all the makings of a classic saison, albeit with a good stamp of individuality on it. It’s not an Americanized saison, yet nor is it just another Dupont clone (not that there’s anything wrong with those). A touch fruitier than some of the classic Belgians, and with less in-your-face fresh cut herbs than Thiriez or even Dupont, it nonetheless remains rustic with light hay and herbal qualities as well as plenty of citrus (lemon, very light tangerine essence). All this on the backbone of a light, 5% abv beer that is both well-attenuated, but not to the point of being bone dry (it is very dry, nonetheless).
Easy to pass by, which to some degree, I think this brewery has been. I’d say I’m surprised, but I’m not. There’s just not enough love for the non-barrel aged, low gravity, non-flashy stuff. Anyhow, I’m glad for it, as these guys are right up my alley and it makes their beers a bit more obtainable than the SARAs and DeGardes of the world.

Draught at Oxbow, Portland, ME, 5/17/15
More or less the same pour as their other saisons and grisettes. Mostly high clarity, though with a touch of haziness appropriate to the style and a small but well-retained white head topping the pale-to-bright golden liquid.
Loretta is a very special beer. Perhaps not if you were exploring the Belgian countryside (though I think it still stands up fine against those). The hops are noble and rustic and all over the place in the nose, conjuring up dry leaves, very light cheese rind, dried herbs and all sorts of early-morning-dew-on-the-lawn-and-flowers-type of aromatics. Rarely have I smelled a beer where the hops give it a funk yet don’t detract otherwise in aroma or flavor (usually any sort of funky hop character is unwanted). Not this one. Light acidity on the end, soft, pils malts and interesting spelt character somewhat reminiscent of Blaugies d’epeautre (though certainly not as disinct or quite as rustic). But anything that can evoke memories of that beer is doing a lot of good things in my book. No alcohol or flaws.
The flavor is delicious as well, perhaps not as crisp on account of some of the earthy and lightly funky flavors, but the acidity on the end gives a mild tartness that does help brighten things, while the attenuation is spot on (very dry) yet the malt comforting and softly succulent. Would love to brew a beer emulating the hops and hop schedule used here (not that I know what it is). Fantastic and as usual, very underappreciated on our Imperial Website.

Draught at Novare Res, 5/17/15
Pale golden blonde saison, with just a touch of chill haze, topped with a large amount of well-retained white head.
Fruity and, thankfully, not citric/piney but much more of a nectarines, limes, pineapples, papayas type thing going on. Reminds me of Dupont right away. Not assuming they originated with Dupont yeast (though they may have), but just smells like a saison should. Lightly tart acids, peppery phenols and dry, hay-like malts with a touch of honey break through the hops. Very sniffable, with neither much sweetness nor any resin or heavy acidity. Certainly no alcohol or flaws.
Tight carbonation spreads light honey and biscuit malt notes about whlie lightly tart yeast acids and peppery phenols quickly give way to a very juicy, fruity hop finish. As American-hopped saisons go, it’s up there. No this is not a Belgian IPA, thank god and despite the good dose of hoppiness, including moderate bitterness, it remains easily identifiable as a saison. Wonderfully well-attenuated but without going to the point of astringency/huskiness. Lovely. Instantly want to try all of their beers.