Saison de Pipaix

Brewed by Brasserie à Vapeur
Style: Saison
Leuze-Pipaix, Belgium

One of the most traditional examples of Saison, is brewed by the Brasserie A Vapeur of Pipaix, Belgium. Their Saison de Pipaix is based on a 1785 Saison recipe, and is one of the most refreshing, and delicious beers you will ever taste. Saison de Pipaix is brewed with pale and Munich malts, and is hopped with Hallertau hops. It is then spiced with ginger, pepper, sweet orange, coriander, and curacao orange peel. This beer is unpasteurized, and bottle condition, or sedimented with yeast, before the bottles are corked and capped. This bottle conditioning allows the beer to ferment for a second time in the bottle, and complex flavor changes will take place as the beer matures. The 750ml bottle($8) I am reviewing here, was brewed and bottled in 1985, and was cellared at the brewery for 17 years before released. This particular vintage is stellar in my opinion, with lots of big flavors and aromas, but with such a refreshing and delicious drink ability. Saison is one of the ultimate summer beers, and Saison de Pipaix, is one of the best in my opinion. Saison de Pipaix pours to a hazy bright orange/deep gold color, with a thick and rocky white head, and a very lively carbonation. The nose on this beer is wonderful. Lots of big orange peel aromas marry with spicy notes of coriander, pepper, and some sourness. The palate is tart and refreshing, with a nice base of pale malt flavor, some vinous notes, some flavors of orange, and spicy ginger. Saison de Pipaix finishes with more complex and tangy flavors, then ends with a very dry, sour finish that lingers on the tongue. I found this 1985 vintage to be exceptional, and believe the years of age have really allowed the flavors to develop. This beer is the ultimate aperitif beer, and would work well with a number of dishes. Its refreshing and tart flavors, give this beer tremendous cutting power, and it would be the perfect match to rich dishes such as roasted lamb, prime rib, or duck. I matched my 750ml bottle, with a crisp garden salad, grilled tuna steaks, and grilled mixed vegetables. It was a phenomenal matching.

Re-rate: Outstanding stuff. Complex aroma of grapeseed, freshly sawn wood, pepper and anise amongst others. Very fresh and lively on the palate, very dry spicy (pepper) flavour, and a tad bit acidic, very nice stuff.

1995:Murky gold/orange in colour. Aroma was very gueuze like, tart, funky with some sour cheese. Flavour was sour and tart, pucker, some apples, lemons, and barnyard. Finishes with a long dry puckerness. Extremely refreshing. Thanks for this one IPFreely.

2003: Light brown in colour, it looked like iced tea. The aroma was of yeast, caramel, cookies and citrus. Flavour was tangy, yeasty, spices and some carbonation and lots of citrus. Finish was somewhat tart with a medium spicy bitterness.

1995 vintage. Hazy golden-orange colour with a frothy white head. Aroma is big, funky, cheesy, spicey, sour and barnyardy - amazing! Flavour is puckeringly tart with notes of sour apple, oak, citrus and spice. Finish has a dry white wine character. One of the best and most interesting beers at the massive Thirsty In Toronto tasting party.

Vintage 1995. As usual, I didn’t notice this tidbit until I was pouring the bottle. Burnished orange color, nice lasting head, very impressive for a 9 year old beer. Aroma was unrepentently horseblanket, with sourness. Flavor matched, with a subtle note of apples and gentle spice. The spouse stole the rest of the bottle from me and told me to go buy more. Awesome beer, would have been worthy of #600.

1995 Vintage. Pours a medium golden orange hue, bigger white head. Massive sour aroma, hits you in the face when popping the cork. Lots of barnyard funk, tart apples, and spice in the aroma. Flavor is quite tart, sour apples, a bit of lemon, leather, and some spice. Smooth, dry, sour enough to almost make you pucker. An excellent beer, I’m getting more of this.

Additional comments: The last several ouncesof this beer point to a stunning finale. Slowly building in mineralness, earthiness, spiciness. Oh, my goodness. I can actually taste the lichen. The last gulp was pure heaven; along with the end of the bottle of '94 Cuvee Rene, among the top beer experiences of my life. Original: Now if this is a Saison, and so are the Lag #9 and Dupont I've had in the past few days, then I am truly confused. They are very different! I loved this; quite sweet and sour at the same time, and warming really brings out the Wit-ness qualities. This was a really really great brew. Not light and fluffy, but by no means heavy. 6% and I swear I feel like I could have another!

This beer is wonderful. I think it is one of the best country ales I have tasted yet. The little bits of seasoning in the bottom of my glass was a kick. I like this one alot!!!