"Fine Ales Make Friends"

We LOVE beer… not sure if you can tell yet… but we really do. We love the colours, the smells, the tastes, and the history of it all. It’s always incredibly fun to teach people about each type of beer and there is never a moment that we don’t learn something from every conversation had. This time… we are going to talk about a style most people have NOT tried yet. The Saison.

Saison beer is a light-bodied Belgian farmhouse-style ale that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The name Saison is french and means SEASON and it historically was brewed in the winter season and fermented in barrels for 7-9 months. Which is CRAZY when you think that most beers consumed today are only fermented for 10-14 days.

The Saison style has a light amber to gold color and an SRM (which is a colour scale for beer) of 5 to 7, depending on how much you roast the malt used in the brewing. It’s known for having a dry finish with really powerful flavors and aromas. It can come with fruity, and earthy notes, and sometimes can present mild spiciness in its characteristics.

Saisons are not known for being bitter, and in fact, they typically have an IBU (a measurement of hop bitterness in beer) of between 20 and 35, giving them a mild-to-pronounced hops presence. The hop aroma is usually pleasant with a subtle bitterness, making it a great beer to pair with cheese, nachos, or crackers and charcuterie!

Now the alcohol content of Saison beers ranges from low alcohol at 3.5% ABV to high-alcohol beers at 9.5% ABV. The wide alcohol content range then is divided into three categories:

• Table strength (low ABV, ranging from 3.5% to 5% ABV)
  • These are your super enjoyable, light, easy-drinking Saisons for hot patio days or quiet book-reading nights.
• Standard strength (5% to 7% ABV, the most common for Saison beers)
  • Most of these are pretty traditional Saisons that are palate cleansers and are great for starting your dinner off on a beer note.
• Super strength (the strongest ABV for Saison beers, up to 9.5% ABV).
  • To be enjoyed responsibly and definitely to be enjoyed slowly. These ones are usually in dark bottles and tend to have really complex flavors… which is always welcome.

We have done a few Saisons at Balzac Craft Brewing Company. Most recently our Head Brewer Dylan delivered an incredible Saison called “Kick up a Rumpus” for the Iron Brewer Competition in Jasper. It was super well received and we will be looking to add it to our lineup in the fall of this year. His ingredient list was super complex and it was SO dang good.

Apart from the flavor and aroma, and the wide range of alcohol content, Saisons are great for anyone looking for a lighter beer to enjoy. It is an easy-drinking beer that goes down smoothly, and with its characteristic spicy and fruity flavors, it is an ideal beer for all kinds of occasions.

While we don’t have a Saison on our menu currently we would definitely suggest you check out the Saison section of your local beer store. Remember to always support local when you make your buying decisions!

Cheers!

BCBC