Saison beer, also known as farmhouse ale, is an increasingly popular style of craft beer in the U. S. It is usually light to medium in body and may be cloudy in appearance. Saison beers tend to be complex and highly aromatic, with hints of fruit, spice, and herbal notes.
Often, they will have a slightly bitter flavor profile with a slightly dry finish. These beers are highly carbonated and often go through a secondary fermentation with wild yeast strains, which can add to the complexity of aromas and flavors.
Common aromas you may find in a Saison beer include notes of clove, pepper, citrus, and grass. On the palate you may get a mix of fruity and citrusy flavors, as well as some herbal characteristics. Spice and yeast flavors may be present, as well as some bitterness.
The Saison style originated in farmhouse breweries from Belgium and France, and it is a great choice for enjoyable warm-weather drinking.
What beers are saison?
Saison is a type of Belgian beer with origins dating back to the 18th century. Originally, saisons were brewed during the cooler months of the year and consumed during the warm summer months, when traditional brewing was much more difficult.
The particular characteristics of saisons varies widely, and can include ales, lagers, and even sour and wild ales. Traditionally, saisons are pale in color and have a slightly sweet, fruity taste. Common saison styles include Witbier, Tripel, Imperial, Dubbel, Grand Cru, and Blonde.
Many saisons brewed today also incorporate hops and spices frequently found in Belgian styles including chamomile, sweet orange peel, coriander, clove, and cardamom. Notable saison breweries include Ommegang Brewery, Allagash Brewing Company, and The Bruery.
Is saison French or Belgian?
Saison is actually a French-Belgian style of beer, originating in Wallonia, a region of Belgium. The saison style has its roots in farm house brewing, when peasants used to brew their own beer for sustenance and for celebrations throughout the year.
The origins might trace back even further to the medieval abbeys of southern Belgium. The style is traditionally highly carbonated, light in body and alcohol, while being well hopped. It is often bottle-conditioned, which leads to the characteristic hazy, orange to golden hue.
Saison is sometimes referred to as a “summer beer” due to its low ABV, thirst-quenching character, and the fact that it was brewed in winter months to provide sustenance in the more temperate spring and summer months.
What is the difference between a saison and a session beer?
The main difference between a saison and a session beer is in the level of alcohol content in the beer. A saison is a type of Belgian ale that typically contains a higher alcohol content than a session beer.
It’s typically around 7-9% ABV, while a session beer typically has an alcohol content of around 4-5%. Saisons are also known for the fruity, spicy flavors present in the beers due to the types of yeast and hops used, whereas session beers tend to be lighter and have fewer complex flavors.
In terms of body, saisons tend to be more full-bodied and have a higher level of effervescence, whereas session beers are usually more light-bodied and have lower carbonation.
Is a saison a farmhouse beer?
Yes, a saison is indeed a farmhouse beer. Saisons originated in Belgium and were traditionally brewed for the farmhands to enjoy during field work or other seasonal work. Saisons have deeper roots in the French- and Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium and are known for having a unique taste, typically low in bitterness and higher in fruity flavors such as citrus, pear and melon.
Technically, true saisons are not heavily hopped, and some styles may not contain hops at all, but rely instead on spices or other flavorings. Generally, saisons will have a lower alcohol content, sweet maltiness, and a light and spicy finish.
This combination of key characteristics makes saisons a recognizable, distinct style of farmhouse beer.
Is Blue Moon a saison beer?
No, Blue Moon is not a saison beer. It is a Belgian-style witbier, a wheat beer brewed with coriander, orange peel, and other citrus flavors. It has a hazy golden hue and a subtle sweetness from the orange peel and coriander.
The beer is often served with a slice of orange to enhance the citrus aroma. Blue Moon’s half-wheat, half-barley malt base gives it a light, creamy texture, making it a refreshing summer beer. It is one of the most popular craft beer styles in the US and can be found in many bars and pubs.
What style of beer is Stella Artois?
Stella Artois is a classic European pilsner-style lager. It is brewed using pale malts which provide a subtle sweetness and balanced bitterness, creating a full flavored beer with a clean, refreshing taste.
This distinct style of beer is characterized by its golden hue and a subtle hop aroma, as well as a characteristic crisp finish and Mild hop bitterness. True to its original European roots, Stella Artois has a noble heritage and is crafted with top-quality ingredients including flavorful Saaz hops, two-row malted barley, rice, and water.
Is Blue Moon considered an IPA?
No, Blue Moon is not an India Pale Ale (IPA). While there are some hop characteristics used to flavor the beer that might be found in a traditional IPA, Blue Moon is an Belgian-Style Witbier. This type of beer is made with a combination of wheat and barley malt, and tends to have a light citrus flavor.
It is also typically spiced with coriander and orange peel. The light body, sweetness and citrus flavors of the beer are in stark contrast to the heavier, hoppier and more bitter tasting IPAs.
Is a saison an IPA?
No, a saison is not an IPA (India Pale Ale). Saisons are ales that have a Belgian or French origin. They typically have a pale yellow to orange-amber. Saisons are noted for their spicy character, which usually comes from the yeast used in the brewing process.
Uniquely, saisons have a dry finish and a hint of fruit, though the exact flavoring and strength of each saison will depend on the recipe and brewing methods. IPAs, on the other hand, are generally hoppier ales that are darker in color than a saison and have a strong bitter flavor.
IPAs are brewed with more hops and have more alcohol than saisons.
Are saisons ales or lagers?
Saisons are ales, rather than lagers. Saisons are a type of ale that originated in Belgium. They are slightly fruity, highly carbonated, generally well-hopped, and are usually straw- to golden-colored.
They generally have a low ABV, usually ranging from 4.5% to 8.5%. They are brewed with unusual ingredients like spices and herbs, which makes them taste complex yet refreshing. Furthermore, saisons tend to be quite dry, with subtlety as a key element.
In general, saisons offer a slightly tangy, spicy, and sometimes fruity flavor, along with a dry finish that makes it refreshing and delightful.
Is a farmhouse ale a saison?
No, a farmhouse ale is not a saison. A farmhouse ale is a type of beer emerging from farm breweries attached to living quarters, typically produced in Europe in the 19th century. The beers were brewed and consumed in a very localized manner, with the ingredients and techniques varying from one farmhouse to another.
Farmhouse ales are typically quite malty, and involve complex yeast strains that give off earthy, spicy flavors and aromas. Many also have a degree of tartness. They’re traditionally brewed using all natural ingredients, including locally sourced grains, fruits, and spices.
Saisons, on the other hand, are top fermented, light bodied ales, which were traditionally brewed in the cooler months of the year to last through the summer. They’re usually brewed with pale malt, along with other grains like wheat, rye, and oats for complexity.
They’re characterized by herbal and spicey esters and phenols, along with fruity aromas. Saisons are generally lighter in color than farmhouse ales, and have a much higher alcohol content.
What is Saison in English?
Saison (French for “season”) is a type of pale ale traditionally associated with the French-speaking farmworker culture of the Wallonia region in Belgium. These beers are usually low in strength (3.5 – 7.
5% ABV), highly carbonated, and brewed with a generous amount of yeast and spices to encourage a notable level of funkiness. Saisons are often fruity, spicy, and generally quite complex. They are best served slightly chilled, and are perfect for accompanying light food such as salads and grilled fish.
Where did saison originate?
Saison is a type of highly carbonated, light-bodied beer that originated in the southern Belgium Wallonia region of France. It has its roots in the farmhouse tradition of the locals, who would brew the beer during the cooler months and store it for drinking during the warmer summer months.
The beer was heavily flavored, highly carbonated, and had a low alcohol content, making it perfect for thirst-quenching during the summer months. It was typically brewed with a combination of grains such as barley, oats, and wheat, as well as herbs and spices to give the beer its signature flavor.
Today, the style has evolved beyond its original purpose and can be brewed with a variety of grains, spices, and other ingredients to give it a wide range of unique characteristics.
Is Saison beer French?
Saison beer is a type of Belgian beer that originated in the French-speaking part of Belgium in the middle of the 19th century. French-speaking immigrants from Wallonia brought the style with them when they settled in the area and it quickly spread across the region and to France.
While Saison beer originated in Belgium, it is often associated with the French language and French culture. In France, Saison beer is sometimes referred to as “Bière de saison” and is popular in French restaurants and bars.
It has also become popular in other countries around the world due to its unique and flavorful taste.
Who makes Saison beer?
Saison beers are traditionally brewed in the Wallonia region of Belgium and are known for their rustic farmhouse-style flavor. The popularity of Saison beer has been increasing in recent years, and it is now being brewed by craft breweries all around the world.
Belgian breweries such as Dupont, D’Achouffee, and Brouwerij Van Steenberge have been brewing Saison beer since the 1800s, and some of their recipes have become iconic. In the United States, popular breweries such as Allagash, Deschutes, and Boulevard make well-regarded Saison beers.
Saison is a great style for both experienced and inexperienced craft beer drinkers to explore, as the fruity, spicy, and slightly sour flavors of the beer make it interesting and complex.
Is saison masculine or feminine?
Saison is a feminine noun in French. This is because it ends in an “e” which denotes the feminine form of the noun. Saison is a type of beer that is usually light in color, highly carbonated, and slightly tart.
It is typically lower in alcohol than other beers and is brewed for a limited period of time during the summer or fall. Saison is often referred to as a “farmhouse ale,” as it was traditionally brewed by farmhouse brewers in response to seasonal demands.
Saison is a great accompaniment to warm weather and is perfect for outdoor drinking.