North Coast Le Merle

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Fort Bragg, California USA

Had this beer at the Music City Brewer’s Festival. Poured a clear gold color with a massive creamy white head. Aroma was somewhat spicy. Flavor was slightly bitter with a hint of spice.

Golden pour with a creamy white head and lace. Light spiced aroma hinting of clove. Clovish flavor with a bit of an odd bitter. Creamy smooth palate with light creamy foam. Very drinkable but not hugely special.

2005 Bottle shared by Decaturstevo, under the alias Silver Jubilee. Pours and nice bright golden with a tight white head. Aroma of lemon, belgian funk, green apples, and hay. Light bodied with an airy, soft texture and fine effervescent carbonation. Flavor of white pepper, clove, and yeast with a backdrop of very pale belgian wheat malt. Finishes dry and slightly tart, with some sweetness finally coming through. Decent.

750 ml bottle from Bevmo. Pours a cloudy yellow with a big sudsy white head that had good retention. The aroma features Belgian yeasts, sour grapes, peppery spices and some light funk. The flavor is mildly citrusy with sour fruits, Belgian yeast and sweet breads. The mouthfeel is moderately full with overactive carbonation. The finish is long, dry and sour. Overall: A very nice Saison but not a great one. Makes a satisfying summer refresher. Recommended.

Pours hazy straw color with huge white head. Yeasty and spicy aroma. Flavor is sweet citrus fruit with bread dough and spices. Medium body with fizzy carbonation and a slightly dry finish. A decent American saison.

RateBeer Rating, Style and Glass: 89, Saison, tulip ABV, Volume & Calories: 7.3 % in 16.9 fl oz. estimated at 200 C Purchased at: Canal’s in Burlington, NJ (thanks for the ladder walk, Mike) for $7.12 Aroma: champagne, apple, soapy, licorice. 8 out of 10. Visuals: slightly cloudy, golden, bright white, persistent head, thick, foamy lace, best lace ever. 5 out of 5. Taste: apple, cherry, grape, chemical finish, a bit wet, medium craft. 7 out of 10. Palate: foamy, surf, bubbly, highly carbonated, medium finish. 4 out of 5. Overall: Visually appealing. Rather chemical finish, and a bit soapy. I would not seek it out again, though it was not bad. It seemed a bit more commercial than craft. 16 out of 20.

750ml brown bottle, corked. ABV on label states 7.9%. Golden coloured with a large rocky white head. Fresh, vibrant citrusy/fruit aroma - orange and lemon, hint of sweetness, some yeast. Flavour has some fruit up front (apple), crisp malt notes, citrusy/herbal/ grass hops notes and some lemony tartness near the end. Finishes dry and yeasty. Medium carbonation keeps the tounge tingling, light body, alcohol is well hidden. Very drinkable and more complex than I was expecting.

750ml bottle:
Pours pale hazy orange with a big fluffy head. Fruity orange- and pear aroma. Fruity, dry, yeasty flavour with notes of orange peels. High carbonation. Alcohol is well hidden.