Beer- #793 – Zeelandt – Saison
Beer Club beer time again. A beer I’ve previously had. Back again, back again, back again and back again. Summer beer in the winter, who’d have thought it?
‘ .. perfect for our long summer evenings. “
From the BeerClub box this is a 500ml bottle of beer that is 4.7% ABV, 23 IBU things, and only 136 calories a serve size, so that makes it around 2 standard drink units in the bottle.
Brewed by Zeelandt Brewery in the style: Saison and they do that in Napier, New Zealand
Rugged up for a summer beer.
Originally brewed during the quieter winter months in Wallonia, the French speaking area of Belgium, for consumption by the workers during the warmer months. Though in those days it would likely have been around 3-3.5% helping the farm workers function while drinking it, this one from Eskdale in the Hawkes Bay is a shade under 5% (which is lower than the norm of around 7%).
The resulting beer is dry with good acidity and a complex aroma characteristic of this style; perfect for our long summer evenings.
Almost winey on the nose with vibrant stone fruit and magnolia floral notes, the palate enters with a zingy sour burst, becoming creamy and biscuity through the finish. Chardonnay drinkers will likely find much to enjoy in this beer.
So, what could possibly go wrong? This has natural bottle fermented sediment. I warn myself. I’ll probably pour it in anyway, because what’s the harm?
Crikey that’s lively and the aroma is rather nice, sharp, fruity, rich, and that funky musty aroma that makes a good Saison a bit of a treat, for some.
Pour is lovely, and would have been less cloudy except, well see above. Noe white head that looks quite dense and firm, and it’s a noisy beer. That nice funky aroma, almost cider-like makes its way to the glass.
This is altogether fuller, tastier, and more rewarding than I previously remember from the keg version. Late season beer, who’d have thought.
Light, citrusy, well carbonated and easy on the tongue this is almost the ideal quaffer, except that funky edge to it, which means you’re more likely to stop and savour and enjoy a beer that is bit edgier than a domestic.
Tell you what, I’m also enjoying the old season Dexy’s and a bunch of old standards in the Kevin Rowland style. Not quite get up and dance, but close enough is good enough.
The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its things from the thing. I was really surprised by this in a good way. Really surprised, and this is chalk and cheese from the keg version I’ve had previously. A beer that changed my mind about a brewery perhaps. That never happens. Well it happens sometimes, this was one of them.
The double dip review
- Where did I get it? BeerJerkNZ Beer Club
- Am I enjoying it? I am! I quite like the Saison, almost a poor mans Belgium ale if you will. Nice aroma nice appearance and nice drinking.
- Would I have another? I’d not be adverse to another.
- Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? For the right reason, and perhaps in the summer I would, I might, it’s possible. Everything is possible.
Music for this :
” Dexy’s ” with the improbably long titled album ” Let The Record Show: Dexys Do Irish and Country Soul ” on Spotify
SAISON
Fruity esters dominate the aroma. Clarity is good with a large foamy head on top. The addition of several spices and herbs create a complex fruity or citrusy flavor. Light to medium bodied with very high carbonation. Alcohol level is medium to high.
A life just as ordinary 