Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Where: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Beer: Farmhouse Ale (Big Beer Series)
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
IBU: N/A
ABV: 8.8%
After tasting several other Saisons recently, I decided to give this one a try when I found it on the shelf at Gail's Hops and Grapes. Smuttynose is also a new brewery on my list that I haven't tried. When I read the label I noticed that this beer is part of a BIG BEER series, so it's not a standard run brew and its probably seasonal as well.
One of the defining characteristics of this beer style is the fruity notes with some hints of spiciness right behind it on the tongue. This beer has an excellent fruity aroma along with that spicy kick. In fact, the spice kick of this beer may be slightly higher than I personally enjoy in a beer like this, but it's an excellent beer none-the-less. At 8.8% ABV, its another beer that needs to warm up just a tad in the glass before you dig in... From the website:
Broadly speaking, a farmhouse ale - or saison - is an esoteric style native to the French / Belgian border region. Characterized by a golden to light amber color, light to medium body, and noticeable fruit / spicy esters, this beer, known also as a "country ale" was traditionally brewed in primitave conditions in farmhouse breweries for consumption throughout the warm weather by seasonal farm workers.
Gail's also had their Baltic Porter from this series that I might try down the road...
Maggie’s Farmhouse Ale
Brewery: Terrapin Beer Co.
Where: Athens, Georgia
Beer: Terrapin Side Project - Maggie's Farmhouse Ale
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
IBU: 25
ABV: 6%
Today's sampling is from the Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, Georgia. Their "Maggie's Farmhouse Ale" is one of their "Side Project" beers, and this is also my first sampling from this brewery.
I enjoy trying beers like this one that are part of a "side project" or some other project brews for any given brewery. It gives the brewer a chance to do something he or she likes rather than continuing along the established brew schedule all the time. These one-off short run beers are usually pretty interesting to try, especially when you find one of a style you really like. The Saison and other Belgian ales are rapidly growing on me and this one is a decent example of a Saison / Farmhouse Ale. From the website:
Welcome to the next version of Terrapin's Side Project series of beers. Volume #7 "Maggie's Farmhouse Ale." Brewing this style of beer was as exciting as it was challenging because of its high fermentation temperature (90 F) and its finicky yeast strain. You'll get all the aroma and flavors you'd expect from a farmhouse ale out of Maggie's. The nose is a combination of grassy and spicy yeasty notes with an underlying bready earthiness character. The flavor is slightly sweet up front with a tartness in the middle followed with a white pepper / tart finish. Maggie's offers the beer lover an old world style that is very pleasing to drink by itself of paired with fine foods. Cheers!
This beer is one that I would drink again, but I like my Saisons a little higher in alcohol...
Hennepin Saison Farmhouse Ale
I have been eyeing the Brewery Ommegang stuff for a while, but just never got around to purchasing any until my last trip to Gail's Hops and Grapes. Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown New York specializes in Belgian style ales, and this Saison Farmhouse Ale is my first experience of their craftsmanship.
Welcome to the Ales of Brewery Ommegang, where the beer isn't overhopped or overhyped. Our Belgian-style ales are functional art, crafted to make your dining and drinking experience something to behold.
The Hennepin poured a pale golden color with a thick foamy head in the glass. The head maintained a thin covering for the entire glass, but didn't provide any lacing as the drink subsided. The flavor of this beer is excellent and the lighter body coupled with hints of coriander and ginger. It provides a very smooth ride on the tongue and down the throat as well :) Hennepin also has a cloudy appearance due to the bottle conditioning. It looks like a lawnmower beer, but don't let the color fool you. It rings in at 7.7% ABV, so you wouldn't wanna be caught driving even your lawnmower after a few of these snakes in the grass...
