Collective Arts Brewing Collective Project/ Sour Pumpkin Saison Saison at 5% ABV | 14 IBU (C$3.29 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 473 ml, bottle date 7-Oct-2016, acquired 10-Nov-2016, reviewed 11-Nov-2016)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing to a thick cap, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pumpkin, typical spices, earthy, hint of burnt rubber/band-aid. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild tart, light bitter. (7/10) Medium-light body, lively carbonation, short duration lightly tart finish. (4/5)
No, I don’t know why I keep buying pumpkin beers either. But, for a pumpkin beer, this isn’t bad at all. There’s definite pumpkin and sweet spices, but the light body and lively carbonation, combined with the lemony tart edge, definitely prevent it from becoming cloying at all. It remains easy-drinking throughout and can definitely be quaffed as a thirst-quencher, even if the ABV is pushing the limit for what I would philosophically consider appropriate for a true saison. And you do want to quaff this: as it warms, a hint of burnt rubber or band-aid starts to become noticeable. It’s never strong or off-putting, but it definitely means this isn’t something you want to linger over. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
