Free State Coeur de Saison

Brewed by Free State Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Lawrence, Kansas USA

On draught at brew pub. At first I had this in a sample glass and then just had to get a pint. The server said it was “Dry Hopped” wit hibiscus. It cloudy pale gold in color with a fluffy white head and lacing. Hibiscus and some floral hop in the nose. Medium sweet malt flavor with notes of bread, light hibiscus, and subtle spices in the finish. Very well made beer.

Sweet, fruity and lightly spicy aroma, some flowers and honey along with touches of orange zest and bubblegum, perhaps a vague hint of alcohol. Attractive lighter orange-amber color, mostly clear, with a fine, slight head. Fruity, sweet flavor throughout, some juicy citrus present, and with a bitter, spicy, peppery finish. Some pleasant, lingering maltiness as well. Mildly complex and oddly drinkable. Smooth but moderately acidic mouthfeel with a medium-full body. Overall, quite interesting and tasty, much like a spiced Tripel. Not quite appropriate for the shaker-style pint glass it’s served in, but given a chance to warm sufficiently, this is a good one. Was not able to confirm but would estimate this is a little over 7% abv.

Draft, served with Dessert at the Free State 19th Anniversary Beer Banquet. Pour is a hazy dark yellow, with a nice white head. Aroma of malt, earthiness and sweet-candy yeast. Taste is really nice, solid malt backbone with highlights of spicy earthiness and the faint sweet candy flavor. Medium palate, that had the nice grainy Saison body. I probably could have done with this being a touch drier, and bit less sweet, but that’s my personal preference in Saison. This one was really well done.

On tap at the brewpub. Pours a hazy, dark amber with a lasting, dense head of tiny ivory bubbles. The nose is of bright citrus, pale malt, a light, fruity spiciness and a faint, sweet candy-sugar note in the background. Light to medium-bodied with soft, yet lively carbonation and a quick, dry finish. Lightly spicy and yeasty, the flavor is less citrus-forward and less sweet than the nose, but otherwise follows its lead; all of the components are quite well integrated. An enjoyable Saison that’s certainly worth trying for any fan of the style.

As usual, Indra beat me to this one, I had it last night, but didn’t enter it in until today. On tap at bar. Golden orange color with a small off white head. Aroma is sour and spicy with citrus and estery notes. Flavor is tart, wheaty?, fruity, and estery. Finish is dry with some fruity tartness. Had a nice mouthfeel. It "felt" like a wheat beer. 2006 Edition O.G 17.5°P/1070 Hops 25IBU. On tap. Hazy orange/gold color. Orange/citrus, mild pepper, spicy aroma. Taste is herbal, citrusy, white pepper and spice along with some yeastiness. Finish is spicy, herbal, and satisfying. Nice mouthfeel. I gave it the same score as I did the last time I rated it. I sat at the bar for a couple hours the night I rated this and was mildly surprised to find this a very popular beer, I guess that is why I love Free State, because the customers (a lot of them) know beer and like, or are not afraid to try, Saisons.

On tap.
Pours a hazy orange-golden hue -- a bit darker than usual for a saison. Thin, tight white head forms and sticks around for a while, leaving rings of lace around the rim with each sip. Flavor is an intense burst of lemon citrus, floral, herbs & spices, earthy hops with a mild-to-medium hop bitterness, a tiny dash of pepper, and a partridge in a pair tree. Remarkably creamy palate slides right down the back of the throat -- not at all what I was expecting. Quite an excellent session brew.

On tap at the brewpub. Pours dark hazy amber with a small head. The aroma is rich and fruity with heavy malt and light spice. Medium body with a grainy feel and mild sharp carbonation. The flavor starts quite rich with light earth, rich fruitiness and grainy spice. The finish is crisp and lightly sour with a spicy bite. A nice American attempt at the style.

On tap at the brewpub. Poured cloudy yellow with a thick white head. Aroma was banana, bubble gum, clove, and sweet belgian yeast. Flavor was sweet original bubble gum, belgian yeast, some banana, and lots of spice. Overall it was a little too sweet, but was still a solid brew. Had a dry finish.