The Wild Beer Co. Ninkasi Saison at 9% ABV (C$14.99 at Oak & Vine, 750 ml, best before 7-Dec-2020, acquired 25-May-2018, reviewed 2-Jun-2018)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head gradually diminishing to a thick persistent creamy cap, heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: apple, dry hay, lemon zest, floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate funky tart, low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, funky light tart mild warming finish. (4/5)
Well, the labels says “Bubbles + Apples + Wild Yeast” and that’s as good a description as any. Can’t say I’m getting a lot of the “copious amounts of New Zealand hops” the label claims, though, and they’ve cheated a bit on the apple: it apparently derives at least in part from actual apple juice, instead of yeast. Continuing my litany of criticisms, the ABV is way heavy for a Saison, which is a perennial complaint of mine. It’s not that I don’t like high ABV’s (obviously) but there’s a time and a place – and that’s not in a Saison. Yes, I know, sounds like death by a thousand cuts, but it’s actually a decent beer overall, especially if you just think of it as a Wild (the style, not the brewery). (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
