STATESIDE SAISON ~ STILLWATER

Stateside Saison is billed as an “American Farmhouse Ale.” It is Belgian inspired and uses European malts and hops from New Zealand and the United States, and a classic farmhouse yeast. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a hazy bright coppery gold with an average sized off white head. The head settled quickly and left wispy lacing. The nose has fruity (berries, citrus and orchard fruits) and earthy notes, along with malts, bread, florals, a little funk and spice(clove and others),and a light Belgian yeast. The flavour follows the nose and is equally complex, containing notes of fruits (lemon, orchard fruit), pepper, clove, Belgian yeast, honey, sweet malts, grains, grass, and a touch of tartness. The mouthfeel was medium. The carbonation was average to lively. The finish has a slight hop bitterness with a little earthy dryness. This is a complex but balanced saison. I really enjoyed this well crafted brew and wish they were easier to find north of the Border.

6.8% From Baltimore, Maryland

RHIZOME ~ FOLLY BREWPUB

Every time Folly brews a new batch of Rhizome, their rye infused American Farmhouse ale, they choose two hops to blend and use in their brew – so each batch is different. This time the combination was Centennial and Cascade. Sampled on draught the beer poured a light golden yellow with a generous white head, which left nice lacing. The nose was light and what you would expect from farmhouse ale with touches of citrus. The taste was combination of saison with an American hop presence. There is a little sourness, a touch of rye, funk, spicy yeast with floral, pine and citrus grapefruit hops at the end. The finish is dry and a somewhat bitter the carbonation was average and the mouthfeel was medium. An interesting brew!

6% from Toronto, Ontario