Southampton Cuvee des Fleurs

I have wanted to try this one for a long time, and I finally dropped the $10 at New Beer and went for it. Pours a fogged golden amber with a good bit of crème head. Nose is that grassy orange funk. Seems almost like a bit of mint is there. Hmmm. The flavor...there is that mint again. That is a new one for me in a saison. Definite fruit character there as well. Big sweet edge. I really get a mass of mint on this one. Seems very vibrant, possibly a bit too much so for a saison. But either way, this is a good saison. Feel is of course laden with bubble from a huge amount of carbonation. Liquid is pretty typical. Overall it is very drinkable. A bit too tangy IMO, but still a good saison.

Bottle from beastiefan2k, shared w/ slob and Robert at SL. The pour was golden in color with only slight haziness, steady and lively carbonation. Aroma was floral w/ spices also detectable. The flavor was a little overdone on the floral side for my highest liking, dandelions standing out perhaps the most, spicey (almost a ginger-like character to which I’m sensitive), slight sour-citrusey, white grapes, honey, and only faint yeast elements. More phenolic peppery flavors would have been quite nice and added some depth. Mouthfeel was lively carbonated, a little light on the body for a saison. Thanks much, Eugene, a fun one! Re-rated in 7/08 at SL, 4/08 bottling, shared by Robert. Very similar experience, although the malt base was not nearly as inspiring as before with the floral and spicey side over-running the product. In particular, ginger and cinnamon seemed to jump out of this bottle at us like a holiday ale or something. The chamomile is what I think gives me a ginger-cinnamon impression, but nevertheless, it was a bit over the top. As noted before, more phenolic notes, and this time more malt character, both would have made this quite stellar. Prior rating numbers stand, especially since this one may have been a hand-bottling and some of the malt character may have been lost due to that? Thanks, Robert, for sharing this one too!

Large white head, good retention and plenty of sticky lace to boot. Hazy gold colored pour with plenty of bubbles just cruisin up to keep that head a rollin. Nose is very floral, perfumey and spicey, genteel. Light bodied with an almost spritsy carbonation thats held in check by a light oilyness. Flowery spicey flavors work for me along with some light malt backing, citrus and a hint of pepper. Lightly sweet, fruity perfumy finish. Would be a nice warm weather, by the pool drink. Maybe toss in a few ice cubes and one of those cute little umbrellas and lay back in yer lounger, ya think? Thanks to my favorite tasting bud eaglefan for sharing this one, Thanks Brian! Sorry dude, i enjoyed this one!

From Mesa Gathering October 07. Yeasty aroma and sour. Orange color. Pepper and sour flavor. Beer was good. I know not much but may of bben the start of the yeast and alcohol infection I got that afternoon.

Bottle, 75cl corked. (RBNAG 07) Sure a quite special beer, but a real beauty. Pours a mostly clear, golden body with a white head. The flavor is flowery, slightly sweetish and with a pleasant spicyness from cinnamon and some ginger. The flavors has the same flowery and spicy approach, and there’s a malty, sugary background. Medium to full body. Long, sweetish finish with some ginger. Just lovely, pour me another one. (071103)

750ml bottle @ RBNAG’07. Clear golden body with a dense white head. Complex floral aroma, spicy and herbs. Flavor is also complex, not heavy. Aromatic flowers, spices. Sweet with an unusually sharp bitterness. Refreshing, strange and wonderful. The most interesting beer for me at this session.

Shared by OldSock. Hazy pale body with a small white head - fading. The nose is cotton candy, flowers, light caramel and doughy bread. The favor is moderately sweet, lightly bitter and floral with herbs, cotton candy and cracker. Medium/full body is soft with gentle, light carbonation. A strange, plant bitterness in the finish is the only real negative.

2007-11-02, Papsoe Blind Tasting, corked bottle
Cloudy blond color; creamy head. Very strong herbal aroma (mhyrtle...), then some light fruitness and rubber. Medium body strength, medium sweetness, a bit malty, spicy (cardamom), fruity. Weird mix, but good.