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Season beer

What is the Saison beer style?

Saison, also known as Farmhouse Ale, is a beer style that originated in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium. It is a seasonal beer brewed in the summer months and drunk in the winter months. It is a light to medium beer with a distinctive fruity, spicy and sometimes funky taste. Saison is a beer style that lends itself to refreshment on hot days due to its light body, high carbon dioxide content and dry aftertaste.

History of the Saison beer style

Saison beer was originally brewed on farms in the French-speaking part of Belgium, Wallonia. It was a beer that farmers and workers drank during the warm months of the year, as a refreshment after working in the fields. The name Saison comes from the French word “saisonner”, which means “season”. The beer was traditionally brewed with ingredients available on the farm, such as barley, wheat, oats and sometimes rye. Wild yeast was also often used, which contributed to the characteristic taste of the beer.

The brewing process of the beer style Saison

The brewing process of Saison beer is similar to that of other ales. It starts with malting the barley and wheat. The malted grain is then crushed and mixed with water to release the sugars. After boiling the wort, the beer is cooled and hops and any spices are added. What makes Saison unique is that it is sometimes brewed with wild yeast or bacteria, which contributes to the funky taste of the beer. The beer is also often fermented at higher temperatures than other ales, resulting in a higher carbon dioxide content and drier aftertaste.

Various specialty beers with the Saison beer style

Saison is a versatile beer style that lends itself to different variations. There are Saisons with the addition of fruit, such as raspberries or peaches. Spices are also often added, such as coriander, pepper and ginger. In addition, Saisons are also brewed with a higher alcohol percentage, which is known as Belgian Strong Saison. Breweries like to experiment with the Saison style and are constantly creating new and surprising beers.

Which dishes go well with the Saison beer style

A Saison is ideally suited for combining with dishes. Its complex flavor profile and fruity and spicy notes make it a good accompaniment to dishes such as salads, seafood and chicken. It also goes well with spicy dishes and Asian dishes, such as sushi and Thai curries. It is also an ideal accompaniment to hard cheeses such as Gouda, Cheddar and Comté. A Saison can also be enjoyed with desserts with fruit, such as apple pie or fruit sorbets.

The versatility of the Saison makes it the perfect beer style to experiment with. Brewers often add additional ingredients such as herbs, fruits and flowers to create new flavor combinations. As a result, there are many different Saisons on the market with unique flavors and aromas.

In recent years, the popularity of the Saison as a beer style has increased enormously. This is partly because the Saison fits well with the trend of lighter and refreshing beers with a complex flavor profile. The craft character of the beer style also fits well with the growing popularity of craft and local products.

Conclusion

All in all, the Saison is a versatile and interesting beer style that has a lot to offer. Due to the many taste nuances and aromas, it is a beer that will appeal to both beer lovers and novice beer drinkers. The Saison goes perfectly with many dishes and is worth trying for those looking for a beer that differs from the standard lager or specialty beer.

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