Terrapin Side Project Maggies Farmhouse Ale

Brewed by Terrapin Beer Company
Style: Saison
Athens, Georgia USA

The beer came out naturally cloudy (some would even call it murky), pale, and developed a decent sized head. The smell was a invigorating combination of tart, sweet, and floral aromas, and deeper breaths revealed a significant hop presence. The taste was a tart and hoppy combination not usually seen anywhere. There was not much sweetness, and late in each sip some clove like spiciness and lemony sourness started to creep in. The mouthfeel was bone dry, and refreshingly light.

I’ve seen many American interpretations of Saisons use exotic ingredients like lavender and end up being too sweet and flowery. This beer on the other hand was all grain based, which made it feel rustic and authentic. I could certainly imagine this being made in a farmhouse. I wish that Terrapin would keep this into their regular lineup and get rid of one of the weaker entries in their lineup. This is just perfect for the hot local summers.

Pours a hazy amber with a nice white head. Smells of dry malt, floral, funky, spicy. Tastes dry and spicy with some perfumy hints and a funky finish. Courtesy of cheersmate1.

Slightly cloudy pour with a lasting white head. Nice spicy, peppery aroma with banana and yeast. Flavor is more of the same, with a nice medium body and creamy mouthfeel. Fruity finish. Pretty good saison.

cask @ Terrapin / Left Hand dinner, Trappeze.pours golden straw with thick white head. aroma is yeasty, fruity; pineapple with spices and barnyard nose. flavor, yeasty, spices; cloves, grainy; wheat barnyard, funky yeast mouthfeel with a light malty profile. Smooth and tasty with nice subtle citrus hops and spices.

Clody, bubbly, smallish, loose head. The Bride declared this was "packed with yumminess", and I tend to agree. Nicely spicy and herbal, dry wine and woddsy, and a little bit of bitterness. Very enjoyable.

Sampled from ’the secret stash’ at the Terrapin tent at the Music City Brewers Festival. Pours a hazy gold with a white head. Aroma of lemon, burlap, and Belgian funk. Flavor of pale malts, citrus, clove, and white pepper. Moderate amount of residual sweetness. Finish is not very tart or sour. Butters mentioned that it may be young, but if it’s bottled already, I can’t see that developing all that much.

Appearance: Pours a well-hazed, dark yellow body with a moderate-sized, white head. Smell: Tangy, lemon-fresh nose with lesser secondary notes of grainy malted barley, Terrapin’s obligatory rye, spices, unripe bananas, ripe apricots, and good ole clover honey. Taste: Hearty blend of malted barley and wheat, the latter with a particular tanginess. There’s a little zip of spicy rye. Honeyish sweetness. Bright, tart lemon citrus character bursts onto the scene as well as a solid clove and pepper spiciness. Additional banana and apricot fruitiness. Teeny pinch of dried basil. Mild bitterness. Slight hint of grains on the back half. Semi-dry, tangy finish with a long, lingering lemon tart taste. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-plus carbonation. Fairly smooth mouthfeel. Drinkability: A tasty, refreshing saison and another enjoyable Side Project from Terrapin. Go on, friends, give it a try.

Tap @ Tacomac, John’s Creek. Cloudy yellow color, white head. Nice lace. Musty aroma. Dust, malt, some citrus zest, moldy boards, golden raisin. Flavor of mustard spice, cobwebs, barley malts, and barnyard. finishes with a nice palate topper of citrus hops. Superbly balanced. Hint of spice left behind with a slight breadiness.