Tried a Saison

[tsmba]

After reading several recommendations for this brew, I tried hunting some down. I bought a bottle of Chimay White, a fine drink but too pricey. Then I watched a video about Ommegang brewery in Cooperstown, NY, so I selected a bottle of their Hennepin saison. At $7.49 for a 750ml bottle it is far from inexpensive, but it is certainly a pleasure to drink!

With an ABV of 7.7%, it isn't quite as strong as some of the Belgian-(style) ales, but alcohol-kick is not something I care about. After you remove the twisted-wire bail over the cork, it pours a golden brew with a beautiful, white head. I'm not sure how this compares to Saison Dupont, but I look forward to finding out!

 

[clubman]

Glad you had good luck with a micro-Saison! As the weather starts cooling down, the Saison window is rapidly closing, but I did manage to knock out a Boulevard Saison last weekend. This was my first experience with a homegrown Saison (been a staunch Dupont and Foret man for ages). The Boulevard brew was a few bucks cheaper than Dupont (same price as your Ommegang) and comes in a nice brown bottle (thereby avoiding the age old skunking problem endemic with Dupont and their @(#*(@&ing green bottles). It poured like the real thing, had the same ABV, and was a basically a good solid Saison. Has that great lack of complexity (in a GOOD way) that is a hallmark of the style. Thumbs up!

 

[Edcculus]

Hennepin is my go to saison since dupont's version is in green bottles and is very inconsistent. I think Dupont's is slightly drier, but Hennepin is a riteous saison.


Also I'm almost positive Chimay White is a tripel not a saison.

 

[tsmba]

Hennepin is my go to saison since dupont's version is in green bottles and is very inconsistent. I think Dupont's is slightly drier, but Hennepin is a riteous saison.


Also I'm almost positive Chimay White is a tripel not a saison.

It is, I was throwing them together as Belgian (style) ales. Just when I caught onto some of the fluid nomenclature used in US brews, checking out Belgians adds a whole new terminology to the mix.

 

[thebikingengineer]

Saison is actually a french style, so even under the most generalized nomenclature it shouldn't be called Belgian. The Saison sure is tasty stuff, but for my money I'd suggest Ommengang Three Philosophers.

 

[tsmba]

Nothing but confusion when it comes to beer terms. I guess saison is a broad term for "farmhouse ale" (whatever that means). I do plan to try some of the other Ommegang offerings, especially Rare Vos and Witte. Three Philosophers sounds good, too. Too bad it is tough to find. Recently, a new location for an existing grocery chain was completed and their liquor department is excellent. The beer selection is overwhelming! Now, if they would just offer tastings!

 

[Edcculus]

As far as beer nomenclature/naming goes, here is the best resource - The BJPC Style Guidelines

Here is what it has specifically about Saison.

as far as the history:

History: A seasonal summer style produced in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium. Originally brewed at the end of the cool season to last through the warmer months before refrigeration was common. It had to be sturdy enough to last for months but not too strong to be quenching and refreshing in the summer. It is now brewed year-round in tiny, artisanal breweries whose buildings reflect their origins as farmhouses.