Saison Totally Explained

Everything about Saison totally explained

Saison is the name given to pale ales brewed in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. Saison is considered to be a farmhouse ale, because it was originally brewed in farmhouses for farm workers who were entitled to up to five liters throughout the workday during harvest season. Modern-day saisons are generally bottle conditioned ales, with an average alcohol by volume range of 5 to 8%.
Although saison has been described as an endangered style, there has been a worldwide rise in interest in this style in recent years, with Saison Dupont actually being named “the Best Beer in the World” by the magazine Men’s Journal in July 2005.
What truly makes saisons unique is the fermentation which is closer to a red wine fermentation. Taking place at temperatures upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), these ales are incredibly phenolic; peppery, floral, often reminiscent of the spice found in a bordeaux wine.

Origin

“Saison” is the French word for season, because these ales were traditionally brewed in the autumn or winter for consumption during the late summer harvest, however, today they're brewed year round. As the saison style originated before the advent of refrigeration, Belgian brewers had to brew in autumn or winter to prevent the ale from spoiling during the brewing process. After brewing, the ale was stored until the late summer harvest. Although now most commercial examples range from 5 to 8% abv, originally saisons were meant to be refreshing and thus had alcohol levels less than 3%. Because of the lack of potable water, saisons would give the farm hands the hydration they needed without the threat of illness.
The ale had to be strong to prevent spoilage during the long storage, but at the same time couldn't be so strong as to incapacitate the workers. Additionally, these beers were strongly hopped, as hops act as a preservative. Saisons brewed in early Spring would often be blended with saisons brewed the previous Autumn, or even blended with lambic beers to increase the refreshing acidity of these beers. Blending also occurred to reduce the abv, and thus increase its refreshment value.

Appearance

The type of malt determines the color of the saison, and although most saisons are of a cloudy golden color as result of the grist being mostly pale and/or pilsner malt, the use of darker malts results in some saisons being reddish-amber. Some recipes use wheat, and though the use of spices is uncommon, it isn't unheard of.

Notable Belgian saison brands

Brasserie Dupont, Saison Dupont
Brasserie Fantôme, Saison Fantôme (and numerous other Saison-style products)
Brasserie Lefèbvre, Saison 1900
Brasserie Du Bocq, Saison Regal
Brasserie de Silly, Saison Silly
Brasserie à Vapeur, Saison De Pipaix
Brasserie Des Géants, Saison Voisin
Brasserie Ellezelloise, Saison 2000
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren, Saison D’Erpe-Mere

Saisons brewed in the United States

Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA: "Samuel Adams Saison"

Clipper City Brewing Company

, Baltimore, MD: "Red Sky at Night"

Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, DE: "Dans Saison"

New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO: "Saison"

Old Dominion Brewing Company, Ashburn, VA: "Saison"

Brewery Ommegang (Owned by Duvel), Cooperstown, NY: "Hennepin"

Surly Brewing

, Brooklyn Center, MN: "Cynic Ale"

Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA: "V-Saison"

Saisons of other nations

Nøgne Ø, "Saison" (Norway)

De Schans, "Saison" (the Netherlands)

Resources

All About Beer Magazine, Volume 24 Number 4, September 2003

The Beers of Wallonia by John Woods and Keith Rigley

Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the European Tradition by Phil Markowski Further Information

Get more info on 'Saison'.

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