Big Rock Brewery / Last Best Brewing and Distilling Collaboration #2 – Saison at 5.2% ABV

Big Rock Brewery / Last Best Brewing and Distilling Collaboration #2 Saison at 5.2% ABV (C$2.79 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 473 ml, best before 28-Jan-2017, acquired 19-Jul-2016, reviewed 19-Jul-2016)

Appearance: clear straw with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: coriander, floral, yeasty, pale malt. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart, light peppery spice. (6/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, moderate bitter and slightly spicy finish. (3/5)

Y’know, I’m starting to get a little suspicious that this whole “let the beer do the talking” schtick is just a dodge. I mean, the savings on label art alone, right? I was going to say, it’s pretty frustrating not knowing what the intended style is when you’re trying to rate something – but it pretty quickly became apparent that this could only be a Saison. (Well, OK, it might be considered a Hefe, I guess, but it’s not cloudy or particularly wheaty, and there’s no bubblegum or banana. Moving on.) Unfortunately, it’s nowhere near as good a Saison as Collaboration #1 was an IPA. It’s OK, sure, but only just. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com