Southern Tier Cherry Saison

Brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Lakewood, New York USA

The first ST beer that hasn’t blown my mind. That being said, subtle light notes of a grassy saison are swimming in midst of a good amount of sweet malts. Hints of sour cherries exist somewhere in there, but are not really ever made present. The grassy hop finish is present within this beer, while not being too overpowering. Overall I guess I was expecting a bit more of a punch knowing what I usually get from ST beers. Decent, but no where near great. Would not buy again for the $7-$10 price.

75 cl bottle at the RB Rochester Gathering, Sept. 09. Thanks, Ron. Cloudy and faintly peach-colored. Sour, lambic-like nose with cherry and a bit of horse blanket. Sweet start in the mouth, with cherries, leading to a dry, dusty middle and a drier, slightly bitter, slightly hoppy finish. Rather delicate, interesting flavor. Refreshing. A bit strange and not what I expected, but nice.

Pours a light golden to yellow hazy color with a nice white head. Aroma of cherries malts yeasts and spices. Flavor is light cherry funky fruity yeasty esthery saison goodness, some breadyness and some nice hop bittering in the finish. Good brew.

Bottled. Pours golden-yellow. Minimal white head. Aromas of citrus and fruit. Flavor of citrus pith-bitter, unfiinshed and acrid, with a bitter sour cherry flavor and alcohol. Overall, i am not impressed. Seems like it could age better in the bottle.

Bomber. Pours a hazy golden peach color with a thin, lively white head that fades quickly. Appears to be pretty highly carbonated. Aroma of yeast, biscuits, alcohol, sweet malt, some banana esters, coriander, and perhaps a touch of sour cherries; I expected there to be some more fruity notes present here. Very tart mouthfeel, somewhat overwhelming and nearly astringent. Sour fruit, a bit of alcohol, and a faint chemical/phenolic presence I can’t quite put my finger on. I can only detect the faintest oaky note in as the aftertaste sets in. Actually, that seems to be when the cherry flavor kicks in. Hmm...I can’t decide where I stand on this one. It’s interesting...but I’d have to say it’s the poorest offering I’ve had from Southern Tier to date.

Bomber. Cloudy golden pour, yellowish-white head, decent lace. Nose is faintly cherry, Belgian yeast, spice, candy.Flavor is sweet malt, candy sugar, cherry, coriander. Nicely hopped finish. Hint of brett?

On tap at Hudson’s. Disappointing considering I love Southern Tier. Pours a light orange red with a thin beige head. Aroma of maraschino cherries and caramel. Taste is a little flat, some cherry, slightly peppery, some oak, apparent alcohol, and a bitter aftertaste.

A light golden color, hazy, bubbly head that vanishes quickly. The aroma is funky but dispels over time. Cherry, sour, carbonated. Dry, yes, but I just get a lingering funky tasted. Maybe it would taste better if it were 90 degrees outside and I were on my deck. This is my third Saison, and definitely a disappointment. I would not buy or try again.