Natty Greenes French Belgian Style Saison (Limited Release)

Date: 02/03/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

bottle 47/100, hazy orange, drops of lace, sweet fruity aroma with nice orange character and a fair amount of musty funk, balanced array of flavors with fruity sweetness, light tartness, only a hint of the funk from the aroma, very drinkable but does not quite live up to the aroma

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Sampled on 2/3/07, thanks to kp: Clear, slightly hazy copper orange pour with a thin ring of white head. Aroma of funky, earthy authentic wild Belgian yeast with dry toasty biscuity malty notes and some floral grassy aged hops. Body starts lightly bready and semi-sweet with a good balance of dry funky wild yeast, a touch of earthy bitterness toward a crisp finish. A very nice saison.

Courtesy of K.P., thanks! Beautiful packaging, what a great label. # 47 of 100. Clear medium amber pour with virtually no head, a few small white bubbles cling to the edge of the glass. From two feet away, aromas of sugary sweetness and perfumy esters trickle from the glass. Upon closer inspection, mild brett is most noticeable, along with subtle grassy hops, lavender, coriander, melon, apple, oak and mini-funk. The flavor isn’t very expressive. Reminds somewhat of a Regenboog take on a saison, funky and one-of-a-kind. Somewhat tart flavors are balanced by plenty of fruity sweetness, then it’s on to the barrage of lemon juice. Not very lively on the palate, off dry, sticky, medium to light bodied mouthfeel. This was tasty but felt like it was past its prime even after just a short time in the bottle. Very classy presentation, intriguing aroma and a unique taste, but I’m left with the feeling there could have been so much more to this.

First of all this bottle was awesome looking. They put a lot into that alone. #47/100. Poured a hazy amber color with a thin off-white head. The aroma was great. Tart yeasty funk with notes of apples, pears and leather. The flavor was tart at the start with fruity notes and malty caramel. the malt then leaves a little too quick giving a wet tart and bitter finish. Overall very nice.

From a 750 ml bottle purchased at the brewpub last month, and cellared since then. Bottle #26 of 100. Murky copper color with a slight head of cream colored foam. Next to no head retention, sparse lace. Nice tart aroma of wine vinegar, sweet cherry, and a hint of oak. Tart flavor with whiskey malt, tart cherry, oak, and some sour funkiness. Medium body, very mild carbonation. The aftertaste is full of sour Michigan cherry, lemon, oak, and a touch of honey. Very enjoyable.

Bottle 93 / 100. Pours a honeyish leathered mahogany. Subtle cloudiness. Initially fluffy off-white head rises proudly then whittles away to a minimal cap. Subsequent pours yield a modest head then eventually the beer is still with no topping. Aromas of some faint cherry and wood. A wet, pulpy wood fragrance. Subtle tinges of sour, but nothing to really crinkle the nose. Flavors are relatively easygoing and welcoming. Pithy woodiness and sour cherries. Mild lemon note. Chalky dry character at times. Finishes very airy and dry. The Brettanomyces character is present, but not omnipresent. Subtle. Alcohol? 8.5%? Where? It’s so well hidden. Modest body. Quite drinkable when all is said and done. Not a sour bomb, but enough character to make things interesting.