Topic Archives: Saisons
Beer & Civil War history meet in Flying Dog Dragon Lady
Flying Dog Dragon Lady American Saison debuts this month. A follow-up to another recent “historical” collaboration.
Last year, the Frederick, Maryland based brewery debuted Saw Bones, a beer inspired by the American Civil War. The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is located in Flying Dog’s hometown – with an amazing story to tell.
Frederick, Maryland is right on the Mason-Dixon Line. During the very bloody war (over 600,000 died) both the Union and the Confederacy marched through the town during the Maryland campaigns. Ultimately, the town became home to several hospitals. The first release, Saw Bones, was an homage to the horrific amputations that frequently occurred during the war.
In this sequel, Flying Dog Dragon Lady honors the work of Dorothea “Dragon Lady” Dix. During the war, she served as the Superintendent of Nurses in the Union army. She was described as being fierce, compassionate, and stubborn; while working tireless to improve the welfare of the patients around her. After the war broke out in 1861, Dix convinced the army to create the first female nursing corps. She was very strict (it IS wartime), earning her the “dragon lady” moniker.
As for Flying Dog Dragon Lady, the base beer is a saison, brewed with wintergreen. The scrub has been used in medicine thanks to its “antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antiseptic and carminative properties”, as well as its ability to kill pain.
Flying Dog Dragon Lady will be available in 12 ounce bottles at both the brewery, and select northern Virginia locations.
Style: Saison (w/ Wintergreen)
Availability: 12oz Bottles. Limited.
Debut: January, 2017
5.4% ABV
Maui Brewing Lemongrass Saison, brewed with Lost Abbey
What started as a collaboration in 2013 with Lost Abbey is head to shelves again this month – Maui Brewing Lemongrass Saison.
Lost Abbey’s Tomme Arthur mentions that a simple saison with lemongrass was a recipe he always wanted to create, but honestly, never got around to making. Hawaii’s Maui Brewing stepped in and helped make this beer a reality.
RELATED: Maui releases POG IPA
Simple recipe it may be, but neither of these breweries skimp on flavor. The Belgian-style saison uses 200 pounds of locally grown lemongrass.
Our original batch of this beer was the culmination of that vision; and Maui Brewing’s skillful use of this amazing flavor makes me truly wish it was available more often. In revisiting this recipe, my wishes are coming true,”
Maui Brewing Lemongrass Saison is back in action starting Friday, January 6th, in 12 ounce cans and draft.
Style: Saison (w/ Lemongrass)
Hops: El Dorado, Cascade
Malts: Oats, Pilsner
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Latest Return: January, 2017
5.2% ABV
Left Hand is introducing new “Les Quatre” saison series in 2017
Colorado based Left Hand Brewing is introducing a new saison series dubbed “Les Quatre” in 2017.
This fall, the brewery introduced 12 ounce cans for the first time, starting with Milk Stout, Fade to Black and Extrovert IPA. Next year, the brewery will add 16 ounce cans to the lineup, as well as a new series of seasonal saisons.
Each release will debut with the turning the season, brewed with local Colorado ingredients. Saison au Miel, brewed with wildflower honey will be first.
Other saisons will include Saison au Bledeminuit (brewed with midnight wheat), Saison Au Genievre (with juniper berries), and Saison Aux Baies Ameres (with chokeberries). Chokeberries, often called aronia berries, are very distinct in flavor, often described as sour and slightly bitter. The result will most likely be quite a memorable saison.
Expect the first Left Hand Les Quatre Series release to debut in March, 2017 in 16 ounce cans (4 packs).
Jester King Estival Dichotomous, the taste of summer
Jester King Estival Dichotomous, the brewery’s summer saison returns to the world again today.
Jester King has two seasonal saisons – Hibernal Dichotomous and Estival Dichotomous. Depending on the temperature and season, the brewery changes how the beer is brewed, from fermentation, to available ingredients.
The 2016 edition features grapefruit and tangelo zest, that was added to mature barrel-aged sour beer. Then the beer was blended with citrus zest and young beer that was fermented in stainless steel. The final step – refermenting the blend with marion blackberries.
Estival Dichotomous is an analog for the summer season. It’s a beer that’s evocative of the summer weather and its bounty, particularly the smells of hay resting in the fields late in the season.
Jester King Estival Dichotomous will be released at Jester King Brewery on Friday, November 4th, at 4 pm.
Style: Saison/Farmhouse Ale (w/ Grapefruit. Tangelo Zest. Blackberries. Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft. 3,000 bottles produced
Latest Release: 11/4/2016
5.1% ABV
Funky Buddha Undefeated Saison for NFL’s only undefeated team
Funky Buddha Undefeated Saison returns for a third year starting today, November 1st.
This beer is a tribute to the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who won their fourteen regular season games, three postseason games, Super Bowl VII, finishing 17-0. The Dolphins are still the only NFL team to accomplish this feat. (Every team has a loss in the 2016-2017 season as well.)
Funky Buddha Undefeated Saison is a bit like a biere de brut. The saison is brewed with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape must, and bottle-conditioned with champagne yeast. Inspired not only by the team’s record, but an urban legend that the members of the 1972 team raise a glass of champagne raise a glass in unison after the last undefeated team falls each season.
The result is a bubbly brew fit for celebration — as in toasting the still unmatched reign of our 1972 champs.
Funky Buddha Undefeated Saison is available in 750 milliliter, foil top bottles. $14/retail.
Style: Saison (w/ Grape Must.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. 3,000 bottle release.
Latest Return: 11/1/16
?? ABV
Fun Fact: It wasn’t until 2013 that the 1972 Dolphins got their trip to the White House.
Monday Night Dad Bod Black Saison coming to “Clip On” series
Monday Night Dad Bod Black Saison will join the brewery’s “Clip-On” Series in October.
In September of 2015, The Atlanta, Georgia based brewery debuted a one-off series they call the “Clip-On Series.” Beers featuring in the lineup are fun reinventions of core Monday Night releases. Examples include: Cinnamon Cocoa Drafty Kilt, and Blood Orange Blind Pirate.
Monday Night Dad Bod is a black saison, and incidentally, not a spin on a core beer like the releases mentioned above. The brewery touts this release as “Dark, herbal, and super smooth,” thanks to Keemun black tea used in the brewing process.
RELATED: Monday Night Mom Jeans
Dad Bod isn’t just a beer, it’s a state of mind. Dad Bod means working out just enough not to have to buy new pants, and spending the rest of the time working on your drinking muscles. Our dark saison has a mind nose with hints of espresso and citrus. A peppery flavor gives this down-to-earth beer the edge needed to attract a mate and nothing more.
Monday Night Dad Bod Black Saison will be a 12 ounce bottle and draft offering.
Style: Saison
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. One-off release.
Debut: October, 2016
6% ABV
Image: Monday Night Brewing
Victory Selene, a Brett fermented saison
Victory Selene Saison, a sister to the brewery’s Helios Ale, has debuted this month.
While Helios Ale is named for the Greek god of the sun Helios, Victory Selene is the goddess of the moon. The base beer is a dark saison, fermented with both Blaugies yeast (a saison yeast) and Brettanomyces yeast.
Selene delivers notes of chocolate and clove funk, while rye blends with herbal and spicy whole flower East Kent Goldings hops to produce a smooth finish.
Selene Saison is available in 750 mililiter bottles and draft, while supplies last.
Style: American Wild Ale
Hops: East Kent Goldings
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft.
Debut: 9/1/16
7.5% ABV
Ed Note: Victory Selene Saison debuted September 1st. We received PR on 9/12. Hitting shelves immediately.
