Le Merle Saison

North Coast Brewing Company
Fort Bragg, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
White, creamy, rocky head. Tiny bubbles. Honey-gold color. Slight haze. Effervescent.
AROMA: 3.5/4
Citrus, pineapple, passion fruit, floral. Earthy notes. Very aromatic. Spicy, little hop aroma (true to Belgian style).
TASTE: 8.5/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4
  REALLY complex, a lot going on here. Pineapple, grapefruit, champagne notes. Tangy. Spicy notes–cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. Plum, raisin, honey. All malt, very little hop; could use more bittering hop.
• Aftertaste: 2.75/3
  Slightly bitter finish, lasting spice flavor. Earthy. Slight residual alcohol.
• Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3
  Effervescent. Bouncy, tangy. Dry finish. Fruity, spicy, true to the style.

OVERALL: 2.75/3
A refined Saison; the city mouse to Saison Dupont's country mouse. True to style, but unique–a new flavor with every sip. NOT a session beer, by any means.

TOTAL: 18.25/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: A little of this goes a long way! Really complex and interesting, a nice interpretation.
Ben: Good example of a Saison. Earthy notes along with spicy citrus flavor–a great beer. Would be good paired with fish or fowl.