Happy to have the opportunity to drink some of The Bruery hyped beers in ATL, doubt they will live up to the hype (it would probably be impossible to do that), but I’ll make my own mind up.
750 mL bottle from Mac’s, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Pour gives a slightly burned orange color with plenty of floaties and some murky character. Nose reveals a little funk which is magnified in the taste. Head, lace and retention all poor. No gusher here as others have reported, perhaps earlier carbonation issues have been sorted or just difference in batches.
The tastes remind me a little of Orval. One would think that was a good thing, and it may be, but I am not a huge fan of Orval so it doesn’t do much for me. That light funk is in there with some sweetness. In fact it goes a bit sweet and sour on my palate. Carbonation seems a touch high when held against the background of a “thinnish” body. Prickly.
To me this is at the edges of what a Saison should be. It lacks the classic notes of spice, and instead delivers more of a Wild Ale/Sour WITH added hops; I bet that many will enjoy and like this, but to me takes something away from the beer. A little too far away from the classic style for me.
Decent, and a solid beer, but not really what I’m looking for in a Saison and as a result a beer that I doubt I will go back much, if at all.