TLDR version: Subject basically nails it. For more depth, keep reading.
Ok, so I joined Brewiety when it first started to check it out and was lured in by the promise/hope of getting to try some Hill Farmstead brews and the premise they combed untappd (I’m addicted to that app) ratings for the beers people were searching for. In August, I got all excited because they did in fact ship some Hill Farmstead brews! I got these three:
Needless to say based on my expectations, I was extremely dissapointed and based on the AleSmith before it (all three of which are available for much less at my local whole foods) and the batch that was coming after it, I cancelled my membership. I’ve since been checking out Tavour because I can pick and choose what I’m interested to try. I digress…
Anyway, so I thought to myself, OK I’m not a Saison fan in any way shape or form. I do enjoy sours because they are just so different than my standard fare so whenever I go to a brewery I try those first typically just to see what they’re like. Admittedly, it took a while for me to get an appreciation for them (the first one I had several years ago I about spit out )
I’ve never understood saisons. Descriptors like barnyard and horseblanket to me sound utterly revolting. However, knowing Shaun Hill’s reputation as a brewer I figured that if I was going to try to understand saisons, these three would be good examples to legitimately analyze as much as possible.
I first tried Florence. I tend to keep new beers for Thursdays because I’m an untapped nerd and there’s a badge for that so why not. I had a hard time finishing the bomber but I worked my way through it trying to understand it and pick out the flavors. Blech, didn’t like it at all.
Tonight I mowed the lawn when I got home. My Miller rep brought me a Pliny the Elder from California this morning so I had that all planned for my new brew Thursday. It was delicious. Then it was time for dinner and I thought, well let’s try another saison, so tonight I tried Arthur. I must admit I appreciated it more than Florence, maybe because it’s really hot out and it was nice and refreshingish like a carbonated alcoholic gatorade, but still not my first choice.
So to those who love saisons, can you give me some insight into what I should be expecting or looking for? I love trying new styles of beer and am over 1900 uniques on untappd so I’ve tried a literal ton of different beers. I don’t know that I’d ever even attempt to brew one, but I’m trying to learn and better understand.
Sorry for the wordy questioning post, but any insight would be great!
Rad