BJCP 2021 / 25B
Saison
A highly attenuated, peppery, bright farmhouse ale that is dry and refreshing.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- pale color
- top fermented
- western europe
Serve: 44 to 50F, Tulip or goblet
OG1.120
1.048 to 1.065FG1.030
1.002 to 1.008IBU120
20 to 35SRM40
5 to 14ABV14%
3.5 to 9.5%OG and FG shown are for standard strength. ABV spans table (3.5 to 5.0), standard (5.0 to 7.0) and super (7.0 to 9.5). SRM is 5 to 14 for pale versions and 15 to 22 for dark.
Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Peppery spice and citrus fruit
- Light bready malt
- Floral or herbal hop
- Vague
- Spicy
- Better
- Peppery yeast and citrus
- Best
- Moderate peppery spice and orange citrus from the yeast, light bread malt, low floral and herbal hop
Appearance
3 pts- Pale to deep gold or amber
- Clear to hazy
- Tall white head with excellent retention
- Vague
- Gold
- Better
- Gold and hazy, tall head
- Best
- Pale gold to amber, slightly hazy, tall dense white head that lasts
Flavor
20 pts- Peppery yeast spice and citrus
- Dry, grainy malt
- Firm bitterness, very dry finish
- Vague
- Dry
- Better
- Pepper, citrus and a dry finish
- Best
- Moderate peppery spice and citrus fruit, light grainy malt, moderate bitterness, bone-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Light to medium-light body
- Very high carbonation
- Crisp, dry
- Vague
- Fizzy
- Better
- Light, bright and dry
- Best
- Light body, very high carbonation, crisp and dry with a tight sparkle
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Dryness
- Spice and fruit in balance
Drops it
- Sweetness
- Heavy phenols
- Sourness beyond a hint
Writing tip
Check dryness first. Example: 'Peppery spice and citrus with a bone-dry finish and bright carbonation. Lively and refreshing.'
Pour these
- Saison DupontBrasserie DupontThe reference: peppery, dry and bright
- HennepinOmmegangSpicy, citrusy and effervescent
- Tank 7Boulevard BrewingA hoppier, fruitier, strong version
Often confused with
- 24C Bière de GardeBière de Garde is maltier and rounder
- 25C Belgian Golden Strong AleBelgian Golden Strong is stronger and sweeter
Fine here
- Estery: Citrus and pepper esters are expected
- Phenolic: Peppery phenols are part of the yeast signature
Ruinous here
- Phenolic: Medicinal clove or smoky plastic
- Sour/Acidic: Strong sourness beyond a hint
- Diacetyl: Butter
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.