Samuel Adams – Rustic Saison *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
May 202011
 

For no particular reason that I can think of, there was a very long period when I went without bringing any Sam Adams beers into the house.  Then recently I found myself with more than just a few hanging out in the fridge.  Granted this one bottle was a gift from Ian, but it was also a beer that I actually wanted to sit down and review at some point.  I thank him for saving me a trip to the store where I would probably have found out that it was already sold out.

Now to end this week with another review . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: Rustic Saison

Style: Saison

ABV: 4.35% (on website)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a goblet/chalice.

Aroma: Fruity, slightly yeasty aroma with some herbal and floral notes and some light sweetness underneath.  Really quite nice overall. – 10/12

Appearance: Pale golden honey color.  One finger white head that is frothy with small bubbles, nice retention, and leaves a solid trail.  Very clear with tons of small rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: Floral, slightly citrusy notes up front with an underlying bready sweetness.  A nice light bitterness from the middle to the finish.  Finishes slightly dry with a bit of lingering herbal/floral character. – 15/20

Mouthfeel: Light body with a pretty high level of carbonation, having small bubbles and a fine, champagne-like quality.  Even with the carbonation it seems to have a bit of creaminess to it, especially if not really cold. – 3/5

Overall Impressions: Have tried this one more than a few times on draft previously and it is quite possible that I like the bottle a little more.  Quite refreshing and sessionable, in a way that would be enjoyable outside on a hot day (probably as the style was originally meant to be).  Always glad to have another Saison out there that is easily available and, oddly, also one that I might just drink from the bottle if it came to that. – 8/10

Overall: 39/50

5724786728 f47be7d279 Samuel Adams Rustic Saison *

Samuel Adams - Rustic Saison

5724229657 47918bf216 Samuel Adams Rustic Saison *

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 Posted by Lucas at 10:00 am  Tagged with: ,

Boston Beer Company – Rustic Saison

 B Notes  No Responses »
Apr 112011
 

There are a lot of variables in play that affect how much you enjoy a beer and mood I think is one of them.  Maybe I actually mean expectation in this case.  When I first tried a sip of this beer I was pretty underwhelmed, but when I sat down with a full glass a few days later my opinion changed some.  I think the first time I was in the mood for and expecting something rustic, complex, and maybe a little funky.  When I did not get it I was a little disappointed.  After having it the second time without that expectation I did enjoy the beer for what it was.  In short, not a bad beer at all.

Starting the week off with a B Note . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: Samuel Adams Rustic Saison

Style: Saison

ABV: 4.35% (brewery website)

Location: Redlight Redlight

Tasting Notes:

  • Slight off-white head that dissipates pretty quickly (it was higher before I got around to actually taking the photo).
  • Light golden honey in color.  Quite clear with rising bubbles visible.
  • Aroma is light and crisp with a nice citrus note and a low spicy character.
  • The flavor is relatively mild overall save for the nicely crisp bitterness that stays with the palate through the finish.  Light, kind of biscuity maltiness with a bit of lemony sweetness and spice toward the finish.
  • The high carbonation adds to the crisp and bitter components.  Medium(ish) in body.
  • Did not love the beer at first, but liked it much more with additional sips.  Good sessionable beer for warmer weather that I would drink again sometime.
5610579694 f0db6d49e3 Boston Beer Company Rustic Saison

Boston Beer Company - Rustic Saison

 

 Posted by Lucas at 2:00 pm  Tagged with: ,

Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. – Lectio Divina

 B Notes  No Responses »
Apr 042011
 

This might just be the longest explanation of a beer style that I have ever included in any sort of beer review on this site.  Before looking it up just today I had always referred to this beer as a Belgian Amber of sorts.  Then after I look around it seems that there are different opinions as to what it actually is.  In the end I probably should defer to what the brewery lists on their website or at least recognize that there is really no need to wedge Belgian-style beers into specific categories to begin with.

Now for a B Note to start the week off . . .

Brewery: Saint Somewhere Brewing Company (Tarpon Springs, FL)

Name: Lectio Divina

Style: Saison (Described on some sites as a cross between a Saison and Belgian Dubbel, but listed as a Belgian Strong Pale Ale on the brewery website.)

ABV: 8.00% (brewery website)

Location: Redlight Redlight – Dom and Teege behind the bar.

Tasting Notes:

  • One finger or so of an off-white color head and deep amber in color with some reddish orange tones (as best I can tell with the low lighting level).
  • Lightly sweet and spicy nose with notes of tartness and fruit.
  • Crisp and slightly tart up front with spice notes and some faint bitterness after that.  A bit of sugary fruity sweetness also then finishes nicely dry on the palate.
  • Seems to have the perfect level of carbonation.  Pretty high level with fine bubbles (maybe a bit higher being on draft versus what would typically be out of a bottle).
  • Love how the beer both starts and finishes . . . really nice beer overall.
5588644487 37cbbce4dd Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. Lectio Divina

Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. - Lectio Divina

 

 Posted by Lucas at 8:30 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,
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