Microbrasserie Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Saison Saison at 6% ABV ($9.47 via Beer Club Offering #12)
Pours clear deep gold with two fat fingers of pillowy white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, moderate to heavy lacing (4/5). Nose is hay, banana, cloves, slight barnyard, grassy hops (9/10). Taste is moderate sweet, moderate to strong bitter (9/10). Light to medium body, prickly sustained carbonation, lingering bitter finish (4/5).
Excellent. Very much a farmhouse style saison, yet I find it reminds me of a Belgian Tripel like Duvel. Some might dislike the somewhat aggressive carbonation, but I enjoy the additional crispness and sharpness it provides – no tongue coating here. The slight barnyard funk on the nose also turns into a decently sharp brett-like edge on the tongue, making this feel more bitter than its 35 IBU. Not sure I’d want to cellar this one much longer if that really is brettanomyces, though – it might get a little unbalanced. Best to drink this one on the fresh side, I think, and this one was just over six months old. Really very enjoyable and another example of a world-class Belgian style being brewed in Canada. (18/20)
9/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
