Herevana – #195 – Craftwork – Dorst

Here we have something that is a bit of a treasure and a bit of an unknowable. From the Craftwork Societé box from 2021-22 a one off batch of a beer that was 9 months Barrel Aged before being bottled on 5 August 2021. It is of course Craftwork Dorst.

Craftwork make the Craftwork Dorst as a Special Seasonal beer in the style that is a Farmhouse Saison and they do that in  Oamaru, Otago, New Zealand, this is beer of 5.6% ABV.

I’m really not sure about Rooibos, something that in my experience that a South African would enjoy, and Black Sands Brewery one made a Rooibos beer that was somewhat interesting.

Well, lively, is the first word that springs to mind, with quite the excitement happening. I was prepared for about half of that drama, but I was prepared. I wasn’t prepared the continued foam from the bottle and MrsPhil made a swears when she saw it.

I know that aroma is not usual, because I know Rooibos, and it is quite pleasant. The taste in this is quite bold, but indefinable, bold/strong, and quite rich and sweet, making it quite silky and smooth.

I rather pleasing Saison, without that usual and more family musty and Cider like aromas, one that has quite a lot of depth and character.

The Pdubyah-o-meter rates this as an 8 on the arbitrary number scale. I like it but it’s not quite the beaten track, I love it because it is different but quirky doesn’t always make brilliance and can be looked at with a sideways glance.

Music: I’m an equal opportunities listener, and Spotify has tossed up Bon Jovi, an so without prejudice I’m having a listen. What could go wrong?

Herevana beers are those I drink at home, I’m not at some beer festival, like, for instance, Beervana, but am just in my kitchen, usually, dining room table, sometimes, or outside, occasionally, where I can take an average picture and write in real time about the beer that I’ve invested in, both in a monetary and emotional way.

Philip himself.

This saison is fermented using Lallemand’s new Farmhouse yeast. A simple grain bill, Rooibos tea in the boil and noble hops. 

Brewers Notes

Saison / Farmhouse / Grisette

The “Saison”, or “Farmhouse Ale”, is a pale golden to amber colored, refreshing, highly-attenuated, moderately-bitter, moderate-strength Belgian ale with a very dry finish. Typically highly carbonated, and using non-barley cereal grains and optional spices for complexity, as complements the expressive yeast character that is fruity, spicy, and not overly phenolic. Less common variations include both lower-alcohol (often known as Grisette) and higher-alcohol products (Imperial Saison). Like a more highly-attenuated, hoppy, and bitter Belgian Blonde Ale with a stronger yeast character. Imperial Saison are similar to a Belgian Tripel, but often with more of a grainy, rustic quality and sometimes with a spicier yeast character. Stronger Saisons also often will have more malt flavor, richness, and body simply due to their higher gravity. The “Grisette”, also known as the Belgian-style “Session Saison” or “Table Saison” is also included in this style.