Microbrasserie Le Castor Saison Rakau Saison at 6% ABV | 66 IBU (C$9.34 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, packaged on 17-Mar-2017, acquired 26-Apr-2017, reviewed 1-Sep-2017)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of loose white head, good retention and heavy chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, melon, lemon zest, grainy malt, dry musty hay. (7/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-high bitter, light dry funk. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, dry lightly funky lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
I’m not able to determine what New Zealand Hops are used in this: I’m getting tropical fruit and melon notes, but it’s possible that there’s some white wine as well. This is sort of a mixed bag: the aroma is a bit muddled, but at least has a decent barnyardy funk going on. Similarly, the taste is not particularly memorable, but exhibits a decently restrained sweetness that carries through into a dry lightly funky finish. And I guess that’s what it boils down to: a decently well-implemented Saison that ticks the boxes without really shining. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
