Rye Saison II tasting

Finally managed to do this long-promised tasting. Of course, I ran out of the first batch before this point, so we're down to a single non-comparative review. To make up for that, though, I'm including highlights from the comments I received on this batch from the 2015 Great Basin Brew Off here in Reno, in which this beer took first place in the Belgian & French Ales category. I also just learned/realized today that this beer--along with the first session IPA--is now eligible for the Nevada State Homebrewing Championship in the fall, so it'll soon be rebrew time for me. I may diversify the grain bill to a degree, but I'm not unhappy with what this beer has become with some age.

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Date: 10 May 2015

Venue: Home (Sparks, NV)

Appearance - Hazy golden orange. Medium bubbles collect at the top of the glass, creating a dense, lasting foam stand that leaves a bit of lace.

Smell - Perfume, a little soap, and pear. Maybe a bit of orange. Some spice in the background. Very low hop aroma.

Taste - Dry & spicy; clove, flowery, light fruit (pear again?). Finishes with a solid phenolic kick that definitely says saison. The yeast really shines here. Hint of malt in the back. Nice & clean.

Mouthfeel - Lively, prickly carbonation, but the body is still medium full; thanks, rye malt!

Overall - My early reservations disappeared with age. Spice & phenolics are right on. Maybe I'd go for more malt and/or fruity ester character, but I'm very happy with this simple recipe and looking forward to more saison brewing.

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Judges' comments:

Aroma - "Some very nice spiciness up front. A bit of black pepper, honey, tropical fruit."
   "Fruity aroma with some grainy maltiness, peppery aroma also. Very high carbonation makes it tingle in the nose."

Appearance - "Golden color, white rocky head that persists..."
   "Great color and appearance. Head is a little thinner that I'd like to see, but is persistent."

Flavor - "A bit of sweet graininess in the front, followed with a lot of acid from carbonation. Pineapple. Some nice hop bitterness that lingers. Some spice pops through."
   "Spicy flavor with some low hop bittering and flavor, no tartness in flavor. Dry finish by the hop bittering lingers..."

Mouthfeel - "Medium body, high carbonation, no astringency, no tartness, no alcohol warming."
   "Carbonation is high, almost too high."

Overall - "Very tasty. High carbonation makes it appear very dry and with the lingering hops it seems a bit too bitter for the style..."
   "...Clean with peppery phenols but balanced. Seems a little higher hop rates but still very drinkable..."