E9 Brewery Catharsis (Batch 1) Saison at 5.7% ABV (C$11.85 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 23-Feb-2018, reviewed 26-Feb-2018)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, good retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: doughy yeast, apple, stone fruit, barnyardy funk, pineapple. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, moderate-low bitter, light funk. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry mild tart lightly funky finish. (4/5)
Sort of similar to the Council Saisons, with doughy bready yeast leading the way – though not quite as emphatically as it does with the Council ones. I flip-flopped a little with it, because initially the drupes and pomes lead the way to good effect, but then the bready yeast takes hold. That only gets stronger as it warms, which isn’t entirely welcome, but then it sort of grows on you. Don’t get me wrong, it stays yeasty, but the horseblankety (OK, fine, horse-pissy) funk also comes out to play. If it were more expensive, I’d probably complain bitterly, but for the price it’s not bad at all. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
