Category Archives: Saison

Sanctuary – Steamworks Brewing (Blasted Church Vineyards)

by Mike

From Steamworks Brewing in Burnaby BC in collaboration with Blasted Church Vineyards in Okanagan Falls comes their “Sanctuary” a Saison with Gewurztraminer Grape Must.  The beer pours a cloudy yellow colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of citrus, yeast, spices, Gewurztraminer Grape and wheat.  The flavour is of lemony citrus, spices, wheat, yeast funk, mild Gewurztraminer Grape and pith.  The alcohol content comes in at 7.5%.  This is an absolutely delicious blend of both beer and wine.  Make sure to rush out and buy your bottles before it sells out.

Commercial Description:  Trying to decide between a glass of wine or pint of beer? Now you can have both, with the release of “SANCTUARY”; the heavenly new collaboration beer from Steamworks Brewing Co. and Blasted Church Vineyards. Sanctuary is a bottle conditioned Saison featuring Gewürztraminer grape must and is a departure from the ordinary for both producers.  The making of the beer has been a true labour of love for the brewers and vintners involved. The process started with Blasted Church pressing fresh Gewürztraminer grape must from their Okanagan Valley fall 2017 harvest. The must was then rushed to Steamworks brewery and added during fermentation within 24 hours. The beer was then bottle conditioned for over 2 months in a special facility kept at an optimal temperature.  All of this effort has led to a truly unique and spectacular flavour profile. Subtle grape and fruit notes give way to an effervescent mouthfeel and dry finish with a floral yet mildly spicy saison character.

 

 

Sirens Chai Saison – Britannia Brewing Company

by Mike

From Britannia Brewing Company in the Richmond with a tasting room in Steveston Village comes their “Sirens Chai Saison”. The beer poured a copper orange with a white head. The aroma consists of chai tea, orange, anise, spices and yeast. The flavour is of chai tea, mild funk, anise, spices, orange with a saison yeast finish. The alcohol content comes in at 5.7% with an IBU of 22. I am not a huge tea fan but this one was quite ewnjoyable. 

Commercial Description:  The Sirens call to lure you into this refreshing and effervescent farmhouse ale.  Kettling a local chai tea blend of rooibos, orange, star anise, clove and pepper all adding up to give off a unique spice aroma that compliments our Belgian yeast.

Barrel Aged Brett Saison – Bridge Brewing Company

by Mike

From Bridge Brewing Company in North Vancouver comes their “Barrel Aged Brett Saison”.  The beer poured an amber colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of oak, brettanomyces, red wine and tropical fruit.  The flavour was of red wine, cherry, tropical fruit, tannin’s, brettanomyces funk, oak and some earth in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 7% with an IBU of 18.  I love a good sasion brett and this one ranks up there.

Commercial Description:  A blend of seven barrels, this Brett Saison is fermented with French Saison, Farmhouse and Belgian yeasts. Aging in red wine barrels with Brettanomyces Lambicus and Brettanomyces Bruxellensis for over a year adds pineapple and cherry aromatics, along with a touch of earthy brett quality. The wine barrels contribute raspberry and cherry notes along with a dry oaky finish, making for a flavourful and complex brett beer.

 

Stone Fruit Hibiscus Saison – Old Yale Brewing

by Mike

From Chilliwack’s Old Yale Brewing comes their “Stone Fruit Hibiscus Saison”.  The beer pours a cloudy orange colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of stone fruits like peach, overall fruity esters, hibiscus and some sweetness.  The flavour is of stone fruit, hibiscus, citrus rind, yeast, mild spices, low bitterness and wheat.  The alcohol content comes in at 6%.  This is not your typical saison but it is really well crafted and full of flavour.

Dark Cherry Sour Saison – Kettle River Brewing Co

by Mike

From Kettle River Brewing in Kelowna comes their “Dark Cherry Sour Saison”.  This beer comes from the lot BR4.  The beer pours a very cloudy reddish brown colour with a tan head.  The aroma consists of cherry, tartness, oak and some tannins.  The flavour is of oak, red wine tannins, cherry, malts, earth and some bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 5.5%.  This is not a perfect Sour Saison but I would not hesitate to purchase more bottles if I was back in Kelowna.  It was definitely a tasty one.