Tuesday, October 28, 2014

New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale Tasting

New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale

6.5% ABV,  36 IBU

Enjoyed 10.11.14


Background: An NC State football gets postponed leaving 2 men stranded at friend’s house with a fridge loaded with craft beer that needs to be sampled. There are worse scenarios I have imagined in my lifetime to say the least. Hacksaw and Down the Hall got to team up on drinking this delicious offering from the consistently solid New Belgium. Although our sampling and tasting notes were certainly influenced by the myriad of other beers consumed on this day – we did our best to focus while enjoying this one so an objective review could be given.


Observations: Pouring a very light golden color with a clean white head this beer this beer invites you in with a faint sweet smell emanating from it. In the back of your mind you’re just waiting for the distinct farmhouse funky notes to come up and wrestle with your tongue. This beer is initially a little sweet but as it finishes there is some bitterness and maybe even a little tartness of a dry finish. I always want to try and put words to the farmhouse style as those distinct notes are certainly there in the beer .  Other than calling it earthy mixed with fruity I am left empty on words to describe. The saison is truly one of those styles you need to try if for no other reason than to have a comparison for other beers.


Conclusions : Enjoyed this beer greatly and while not the most profound Saison I have ever had it certainly was drinkable and a fun mouth experience. The only question I was left asking after finishing was why it was called a Harvest Ale? I’d be happy to hear from anyone who has had this beer!

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