Victory Helios Ale

Enjoyed from a 22oz bottle in an elongated tulip glass. The beer pours a yellowish-orange color with a rocky white head. Despite an effort at decanting, a noticeable amount of suspended yeast made its way into the glass. The aroma shows notes of citrus/lemon, as well as a marked spicy/earthy hop note. The palate is powerfully spritzy, forcing the drinker to carefully attempt to note the melange of flavors that greet the tongue with each sip. Pilsner malt sweetness up front, with perhaps the slightest touch of a Munich or CaraMunich. This flows into a lemony and slightly soapy yeast ester character, before slinking into a nicely dry finish that supports the spicy note of the hops used. Saison is a notoriously difficult style to nail, and I think this is a nice interpretation.

Tap at Barcade: Slightly hazy light golden with a wispy white head. Nice dry fruity aroma- some dusty phenols, cherry pit brett notes, earthy leather hints- nice and rustic. Has a fluffy body with a dry flavor. Earthy and rustic character with some peppery notes that mesh with a very mild bubblegum note (though not at all sweet). There’s an herbal hop bitterness accompanied by residual bretty mild funk. It’s rare that a U.S. interpretation of this style is nice and dry. I like the brett character in this one. Well done!

On tap at Tap and Mallet in Rochester, NY. This beer almost leans more German than Belgian but stull a convincing saison. Floral scent with sugar and peach. Faily full bodied with some sourness that becomes tart encompassing the mild hop character. Lucious and refreshing overall but somewhat under carbonated.

Bomber. Pours a bright golden with bubbly white head. Yeasty nose mixed with honey and spice. Sour lemon zest starts the flavor, quicly followed by sweet honey, then a peppery spice note. Finishes a bit tart and dry like sour candy. Easy drinking beer. Enjoyable.

Very nice. Had some on tap at Barcade. Pours a light gold with a medium white head. Nose of yeast, spice and some citrus fruit. Flavor is rich and the body is medium. Mild tart profile makes this a very drinkable saison for me.

Draft. Golden pour with white head. Spices, wheats, yeasts, and citrus in the nose and flavor. Decent saison, but nothing to write home about.

Nice aroma, bit of tartness and funk noticeable. Pours a clear light straw, but has a white fluffy head large enough to keep rising out of the glass. The taste is that of a spiced wheat beer, nice light flavor. Very drinkable, but I’d prefer this in the summer instead of the late fall.

Serving: 22 oz. bottle. Appearance: Cloudy gold with a very effervescent white head. Aroma: Grass, a bit of hay, yeast, and lemon. Well rounded nose. Flavor: Slight lemony tartness with notes of earth, grass, and pale malt sweetness. Palate: Highly carbonated with a light mouthfeel and a short finish. Overall: A very good saison that I think may be just a touch on the over carbonated side.