Sunday 8 May 2011

Summer of Saison

So we've had it good weather-wise & this has focused our attentions on the impending summer months. Last summer was devoted to 'Project 6' our series of 6.6% IPA's which were very successful, following that was the ever popular 'Nerotype' black IPA series, the current one being #3 hopped exclusively with Bravo & hitting the pubs & bars round about now, this will be concluded next month with the final in the series #4 hopped exclusively with 'Herkules'.

So you've probably guessed we like to explore styles thoroughly before moving onto the next project so this leads us nicely into our SUMMER of SAISON, we are going to brew 4 gyles of saison at 6.0% abv. each with differing dominant flavours, Nettle & Ginger, Lime & Coriander, Lemongrass & Fennel & Orange & Rosemary. As for the hops we are to use, we have lined up some noble goodies in the form of 'Perle', 'Sterling', 'Saaz', 'Bobek' & 'Tettnang'  other varieties used will include 'East Kent Goldings' & 'Liberty'. The selection of hops are designed to compliment & work with the range of ingredients were using.

It is the plan to have these beers ready almost simultaneously. Available in Keg & Bottle format only as we feel saison as a style is best suited to an elevated level of carbonation to bring out that zesty, spicy, estery freshness of this rustic farmhouse style. Hopefully the good weather will continue throughout the coming months & you'll get to try these limited saisons which we hope will really capture the essence of the summer.

There will be other goodies flowing from the brewery through the summer, with the popular 'Rouge-Hop' sticking around for a while, the very limited imperial stout 'Cossack' & new specials such as 'Polestar' & '7 C's' our 7% seven 'C' hopped IPA making appearances in due course.

All in all it's shaping up to being a great summer!

5 comments:

Sid Boggle said...

The bar for British-brewed saison style beers was set by Dark Star. If you can get anywhere near what they did last year, you'll have brewed a stunning beer...

Summer Wine Brewery said...

Sid - Have read many good things about Dark Star's Saison, credit to them for being brave a brewing a typically non British style, must get to try it if they're brewing it again. I've done my homework, so fingers crossed! :)

Andy said...

nice one, can't wait for those!!

really enjoyed the Rouge hop in newcastle last week.

Neil, Eating isn't Cheating said...

orange and rosemary sounds like a winner to me.

Leigh said...

I. AM. SO. FUCKING. STOKED. ABOUT. THIS.