Saw-whet Saison

This beer pours a golden straw-like color with brilliant clarity and a fluffy white head that lasts. The aroma is yeast-forward with spicy notes, peppercorns, cloves, hay and lemon zest. It follows through with a touch of grassy, earthy hops, honey-like pilsner malt sweetness and a tinge of sourdough wheat. The body isn’t big by any means, but is a bit fuller than most classic saisons, which also gets exaggerated from the carbonation being lower than the usual champagne-like level. Honey and pear characteristics also add a sweetness that detracts from the dry-ish finish. The rest of the flavor is spot-on for the style though: lemongrass, orange zest, peppercorn, clove and yeast notes combine with floral hops. A bitterness builds and becomes more prevalent on the tongue as the dry-ish finish approaches.