Four Winds Brewing Co. Wildflower Saison at 6.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$15.99 at Oak & Vine, 750 ml, packaged on 1-Feb-2018, acquired 21-Jun-2018, reviewed 20-Aug-2018)
Appearance: slightly hazy pale straw with three (growing!) fingers of billowy white head, excellent retention and clingy soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: dry funk, lemon zest, stone fruit, bready yeast, floral, tea. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light peppery spice. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-high carbonation, dry lightly spicy finish. (5/5)
This thing desperately wanted to turn into a gusher. That, and the dry funky tart aroma, made me think that it had been inoculated with Brettanomyces, but it appears not. (Though, I suppose unintentional infection is entirely possible, especially since they actually do brew a Brett Saison.) Really, my only complaint about this is my perennial one, of overly-enthusiastic malt bills for Saisons leading to excessive ABV’s: I’m an inveterate boozer and I guarantee you there is zero chance I’d be able to remain vertical after five litres of this a day, let alone work the fields! As far as the name goes, I dunno: yeah, there’s floral notes there, but I’d hesitate to call it “wildflower” – Grandma’s bedroom, more like, with lavender and chamomile carrying the day on the back end. All of those piddly objections aside, this is an exceptional beer, and one that would probably cellar well for a fairly lengthy period – too bad I bought only the one. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
