Ballast Point Brother Levonian Saison

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company
Style: Saison
San Diego, California USA

Best Saison I’ve ever had. After hearing the touching story about the man who came up with the recipe it just added to the greatness this beer is. Stunning complexity and elegance. Saisons can being very strait and narrow, this one wonders but you always have a feel like it’s on course. It’s worth seaking out if you can find it on tap.

On draft at Hamilton’s. Appearance is a murky bright orange hue, fair amount of white foam dissipates to a ring, watery lacing. Smell is a delicious range of fruits and spices, honeysuckle, orange blossom, light malts, honey, cotton candy, hints of cinnamon, pepper, light fruits, and hops. Taste is an initial push of sweet malts and fruits and spice, opens up to sweet honey and vanilla, finishes thick and sweet. Medium-bodied, fairly thick texture, lively carbonation a touch on the high side. Drinkability is high, this is one flavorful saison bursting with taste and amazing aromas, great example of the style.

On tap at O’brien’s. This great summer beer pours with a golden-orange body topped by a medium thick to thick head with lots of lacing. It’s sweet and malty with a nice grassy note, some clove and a light fruitiness. Light bodied, smooth and a touch dry. A very nice beer to commemerate the late, great Dave Levonian. You will be missed.

DC Gathering, bottle courtesy of CaptainCougar. Murky unfiltered orange-tan color. Minimal, lacy head. Seawater bitterness in the aroma, quite complex. Very mellow mouthfeel coupled with a rich herby, spicy, earthiness. Bitter citrus notes. Deep and complex beer with lots of subtle nuances. Somewhat sugary, but in a quality way. Captures, and almost manages to improve upon, the hard to nail down Saison.

Sample @ the brewery in Linda Vista. Pours a glowing golden orange with a foamy white head that left good lacing. Lots of citrus fruits and yeast on the nose. A good balanced finish with powerful yeasty backbone.

On tap at brewery Nice golden color with a fluffy white head. Good earthy spicy aroma. Tastes of wheat, grain, and spice. good carbonation. Refreshing.

On tap at Stone, during 1st day of San Diego Storm. Yellow color. Great clean saison aroma. I think the aroma is more from the yeast and high temperatures rather than corriander, though I am tempted to say corriander. Similar to Carnevale.

On draft at O’Briens. Arrives a slightly hazy golden color with a large white head. Nice floral and bready aroma, with hints of banana and tropical fruits, light spice and herb. Pleasant, well balance saison flavors, nice floral and spicy notes, bready yeasts, toast and unripe fuits. Medium body and gentle carbonation.