Shed Substance D

Brewed by The Shed Restaurant & Brewery
Style: Saison
Stowe, Vermont USA

on tap-pours an off white head and gold color. Aroma is tart/sour, woody/herbal. Taste is tart/sour/vinegar, light malt, woody/herbal. Not my taste but it is sour.

(draft) Off-white head atop cloudy apple cider body. Aroma is medium sweet, wood, sour cherry, straw, light pepper. Taste is medium sweet, wood, wome cherry, sourness, light floral. Medium body.

2006 draught samples at Kennett Fest on 10/07/06 and Belgian Beer Fest on 10/27/06
Medium to medium-high clarity in this brilliant hay-golden yellow beer. Lots of pale gold tints and a very dense, though small amount of white head, with proper lacing as it recedes.
Magnificent amounts of brett in the nose bring on full images of Orval, Redemption, et al....Great attenuation, with only dry honey and light biscuity malt notes remaining. Dry fruitiness that you would expect from Brett. The BBF version I believe was 100% brett primary, whereas the cooperstown and Kennett had saccharomyces in primary. Think that’s what Shaun said anyway. Very strong nose, anyhow, with no alcohol and no flaws noted. Just pure brett goodness as it should be, with some raw acids and a light horsey funk
The flavor was crisp, dry and deliciously fruity, showing off pear skins, light apples, nectarines and some lilacy hops. Tart brett all the way to the end, lingering nicely on the finish. Very lacking on doughiness, thankfully and no trace of the water problems the Shed often has. Some white pepper and definite acidity as well, on the finish. I could taste just a hint of diacetyl on the very end, but it was minimal and nothing I havent found in many other brett saisons. Very engaging, tight carbonation, crisp, drying, refreshing texture, unfitered of course. A hell of a good drinkin’ beer.

BA BBF 06. Hazy golden. Aroma is tangy citrus, funky/tart brett, and spicy. Taste is tangy citrus, tartness, spices, tart/lightly sour finish. wow, this was a great beer feremented completely with brett.

On tap at KSBF ’06... Appears a hazy orange with a small array of white bubbles that quickly dissolves out. Tiny speckles of lace around the glass. Smell is of funky horse blanket, citrus, and spices. Taste is simmered slightly from the aroma but the signs of greatness of there, emulating true farmhouse style wild ales with a funky, mildly infected fruity, citrus blend that is what the brewer shot for. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a slight thinness. Age seems to have gotten the better of the kegged carbonation in here. The brett may have had something to do with it but overall, it’s darn nice.

On tap at the KSBF ’06. Poured a deep orange / golden color with a small sized white head. Aromas of citrus, brett, and spices.Tastes follow the same. Body a little on the thin side.

BCTC 06 The pour reveals a hazy blonde color with a thin white head. Very good aroma and flavor of brett, fruits, spices and hay. The body has a light to medium thickness with an oily texture and soft carbonation. A very solid saison.

20060715 BCTC If I learned nothing else during the most recent BCTC, besides Clark’s affinity for cuddling with Texans, it’s that these guys know how to make some kickin saisons. Golden color, cloudy, with ample white head. First aroma is all funk and I’m in love. The beer is a real menagerie of sharp and herbal hops, racetrack funk, cheese shop, and mild sourness. Medium sweet body of firm pale malts hold up to the astringency that battles for ending position. The result is a wildly drinkable brew that could be quaffed by the bucketload if it were only somewhat available. Kudos.

revisited 20061007 at Kennett. Still excellent, no change to scoring. Woo!