Boulevard Saison-Brett
Kansas City, Missouri

The Missouri-based Boulevard Brewing Company makes a delicious bottle conditioned saison with Brettanomyces yeast, aged for three months prior to its release. Tank 7, another more frequently available saison from Boulevard, is the basis for this funky farmhouse ale. The Saison-Brett is an even more aggressively hopped take on a saison with the Brettanomyces yeast as the star of the show. Citrus-peel aromas and funky, spicy flourishes abound. The aroma comes out like hay in a barnyard or fruit at market. A bit of the 8.5% alcohol seeps through the funky earthiness of this ale to give a warming taste towards the end.

Fantome Saison
Soy, Wallonia, Belgium

Brasserie Fantome is a small brewery located in an area of farmland noted for their classic saison style of farmhouse ales– of which Fantome produces several versions. Fantome Saison is bright and golden in color with waves of citric acidity and fruit character. Hints of oranges, peaches and strawberries cruise around this 8% ABV effervescent ale. The definite musty quality caused by the Brettanomyces yeast highlights the fruit flavors that stand out on the palate. A constant trading of leather and hay for orange and apple plays over the tongue. Fantome Saison is a complex and immensely fruity take on the saison style.

Saison DuPont Vielle Provision
Tourpes, Belgium

Located in the tiny village of Tourpes in the southern farmlands of Belgium near the French border. The Brasserie DuPont has carefully constructed this Saison farmhouse-style ale in small batches since 1850. The ale is burnt straw yellow in color and unfiltered, leaving an opaque cloudy appearance. High-carbonation is evident with a luscious white head frothing freely upwards. There are hints of peppery spice and licorice lapping at the tongue, with earthy undertones. A light and refreshing ale with a snappy, dry finish. Lemon tang zips through each sip intertwining a mellow citrus feel, while herb-like yeastiness sits thick on the palate. Delicious with soft, aged cheeses and seafood.

Stillwater Cellar Door
Baltimore, Maryland

Brian Strumke is a part of a trend of brewers who have no brewery of their own, yet create delicious beers at breweries and brewpubs both stateside and in Europe. Stillwater Artisanal Ales usually create saison style ales, and the Cellar Door is no exception. Cellar Door, referred to as the most beautiful term in the English language, is the summer edition of Stillwater’s stateside lineup of brews. German wheat and pale malts blend with Sterling and Citra hops to create a grassy, citrus aroma. There is a “cleansing” theme to this saison accentuated by the interesting use of white sage, which gives this dry saison an herbal quality and spicy earthiness. Cellar Door is great to pair with Italian red sauce dishes or roasted poultry.