Farmhouse beer is a catch-all term for a broad style of beers made in the same tradition as those produced centuries ago in farmhouses in the French-Belgian countryside. Farmhouse beers are typically brewed with local ingredients and aged in wooden barrels, and often feature a dry, earthy, and somewhat sour flavor profile.
This style is further characterized by the use of wild yeast and bacterial cultures for fermentation, which adds to the complexity of the beer. Common farmhouse beer styles include saison, bière de garde, biere de la terroir, grisette, and kriek.
The characteristics of each beer can vary greatly depending on the region, brewer, and ingredients used, but some common elements include spicy notes of black pepper, clove, and ginger; fruity flavors such as lemon, peach, and cherry; and a dry, almost sour finish.
Is session ale same as saison?
No, session ale and saison are not the same. Session ale is a type of beer that has a low alcohol content (generally below 5%), making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy a beer without worrying about the effects of a higher alcohol percentage.
Saison is a type of Belgian farmhouse beer that is brewed with farmhouse yeast, causing it to have a unique flavor profile. It is characterized by spicy and fruity elements, with a slightly tart finish.
Saison has a higher alcohol content (generally between 5-9%) than session ale, meaning that it provides a more robust beer drinking experience. While session ale is mainly enjoyed for its low alcohol content and refreshing flavor, saison is appreciated for its unique characteristics.
What does a farmhouse saison taste like?
A farmhouse saison typically has a light, straw-like complexion, with a mild malt presence. The aroma is often crisp, spicy, and earthy, with notes of black pepper, coriander, and other spices. The taste is often tart, with a slightly bitter finish.
The mouthfeel can be slightly creamy, and medium in body. A farmhouse saison can sometimes have a hint of sweetness, and the ABV is typically in the range of 5-7%. The flavor profile can vary based on the brewery and the ingredients used, so each farmhouse saison can be slightly different.
What makes a farmhouse ale a farmhouse?
A farmhouse ale is a type of beer that has a rustic, earthy character. It’s a crisp and refreshing style of beer, often light in color, with low levels of hop bitterness. The flavor profile typically includes fruity esters and peppery phenols from fermentation.
The style has its roots in the traditional ales of Northern Europe, which were brewed with local ingredients and limited resources available on the farm. Brewers used what was available to them, such as barley, local grains, and wild yeast.
While most farmhouse ales today use modern yeast strains and ingredients from around the world, brewers often strive to remain true to the spirit of the style by using local ingredients when possible.
The name “farmhouse” also reflects the origins of the style, as these beers were traditionally made in farmhouse kitchens and cellars. Farmhouse ales come in a variety of styles, but they all generally have a similar flavor profile and share a yeasty, funky quality that reflects their rustic roots.
Is Blue Moon a saison beer?
No, Blue Moon is not a saison beer. However, it does have some flavor notes in common with a saison, like a slight citrus flavor and a light, slightly sweet finish. Blue Moon is in fact classified as a Belgian-Style Wheat Ale.
It is brewed with Valencia orange peel and coriander, which provide these citrus and sweet notes, but it is not a saison.
Is a Saison sour?
No, a Saison beer is not necessarily sour. A Saison beer is a type of Farmhouse ale that originated in the Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. As a Farmhouse ale, the style is typically dry, earthy, spicy, and highly carbonated.
The flavor profile of a Saison often includes citrusy, herbal, and peppery notes. While some Saison beers may have a slight tartness to them, this style is not traditionally intended to be sour. As the style continues to be explored, some breweries have experimented with adding more sourness and funk, but this is not the traditional taste for a Saison.
Thus, a Saison beer is not sour, but it does have some complexity of flavor which can include a slightly tart element.
Are farmhouse ales hoppy?
No, farmhouse ales are generally not very hoppy. Farmhouse ales often have a slightly sour taste and a forward malt profile. Typical hop additions are usually very low, allowing the other flavors to carry the beer.
Some farmhouse ales do include a bit of hop character, but not enough to balance out the other flavors. Farmhouse ales use a variety of yeasts that bring out the flavor of the malt, as well as the complexity of the overall beer.
Some of the common yeast strains used in farmhouse ales are Brettanomyces, Saison and Belgian yeasts. These bring notes of farmhouse funk and spice, rather than hoppiness. Farmhouse ales are meant to be sessionable and refreshing and often have a very mild bitterness, as opposed to a strong hop presence.
What category is a Saison?
Saison is a type of beer that originated in the French-speaking region of Belgium. It belongs to the farmhouse ale beer style family, which is derived from the traditional farmhouse brewing methods prevalent in northern France and Belgium before the advent of industrial brewing practices.
Saisons tend to be light in body, slightly tart, and spiced with herbs and spices, usually including coriander, orange peel, and sometimes black pepper. They may also sometimes be dry-hopped or fermented with fruits or other wild yeasts.
Saisons tend to be highly carbonated, often reaching effervescence levels similar to Champagne. They are usually golden in color, often with a reddish hue. In terms of alcohol content, saisons are typically around 5.
0-8. 0% ABV, but can vary depending on the strength and the brewery.
How long do farmhouse ales last?
It largely depends on the quality of the farmhouse ale and how it was stored. Generally speaking, farmhouse ales are best enjoyed within 1-2 years of production as they tend to contain more hop complexity and subtle nuances of flavor.
It’s important to store proper farmhouse ales in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight in order to prevent oxidation, which will cause them to age much quicker. If stored properly, some farmhouse ales can last up to 5 years, although the aromas and flavors of the beer may not be as pronounced, and the beer may have lost some of its carbonation and brightness.
Why is it called farmhouse ale?
Farmhouse ales are a style of beer that originated in rural areas of Europe, particularly France and Belgium. The beers were brewed by farmers using local ingredients, making them distinct from other styles of beer.
This brew style was designed with the specific purpose of being able to keep fresh during the seasonal cycles of planting, harvesting and processing of crops.
Farmhouse ales are typically brewed with a mix of malted grains, including barley, wheat and oats, along with a wide variety of sometimes unorthodox ingredients. These locally grown ingredients yield unique flavors and aromas that give the beer its distinctive character.
Many modern farmhouse ales are brewed with hops and other herbs and spices, as well as a variety of wild yeast strains. As a result, each farmhouse ale is unique, with a flavor profile that reflects the local ingredients used in its production.
Due to their distinct flavors and production method, farmhouse ales are given the name “farmhouse” to differentiate them from other styles of beer. This fast-growing style of beer is gaining in popularity around the world, and many craft breweries – both big and small – are now producing farmhouse ales.
What is the difference between a farmhouse ale and a Saison?
The difference between a farmhouse ale and a Saison is primarily one of geographic origins and the specific styles associated with those regions. The farmhouse ale is derived from the ales traditionally brewed and enjoyed on farms in Northern Europe, most notably Belgium and France.
These ales tend to have a light bodied malt character, light to moderate fruity esters, and are usually dry, hoppy, and slightly tart. They are usually brewed with warm-fermenting yeast that promotes the development of esters.
On the other hand, the Saison is traditionally a Belgian beer style that was brewed on farms during the cooler months to be consumed during the summer months. These beers tend to have a more complex malt character with a bready or biscuity aroma, are highly carbonated, and exhibit spicy, earthy, and fruity flavors.
They are fermented at a cooler temperature than farmhouse ales to promote the development of the specialty yeast character.
What is a rustic ale?
A rustic ale is a type of beer that is inspired by traditional beer styles, with the use of rustic or wild ingredients to create unique flavors. This type of beer often has a dry, earthy flavor profile, with some tart and spicy notes.
Rustic ales often have lower alcohol content than other beers, and they may even be spontaneously fermented with wild yeast, rather than using cultivated yeasts. These rustic ales are generally produced in small batches, and can range from light, refreshing beers to strong, bold ales.
While some styles of rustic ales are brewed to exact specifications, most brewers view these beers as a way to experiment with more unusual flavors, often resulting in new and interesting combinations.
Where did saison originate?
Saison, or farmhouse ale, is said to have originated in monasteries in Southern Belgium. During the 19th century, Belgian farmers brewed the beers from ingredients grown on their lands, often using the local yeast strains, allowing for a range of flavors and characteristics.
Montagnarde, a kind of table beer brewed for seasonal farmhands and visitors, was among the oldest versions of saison. This style of beer had low alcohol content so that it could be consumed by workers at lunchtime.
Microorganisms such as Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus were used to sour the beer, giving the drink a unique, tart flavor.
The exact origin of the saison style is still debated. It has been speculated by Malheur Brewery that saison was brewed before 1675 in Wallonia. Other sources claim that, in 1809, farms in Wallonia began to brew with the help of seasonal farmhands to meet the increased demand of beer over the summer months.
However, whatever its exact origin, Saison has become known for its spicy and fruity profiles complemented by a hay-like, earthy quality. Today, Saison is still popular among beer enthusiasts around the world.
How should a saison taste?
A saison should have a light, bubbly mouthfeel with a slightly tart, earthy flavor. It should be fruity and floral with a mild bitterness that fades into a pleasant, sweet finish. The balance of flavors and aromas should be refreshing and lively.
It should also have a slight spiciness, likely due to the use of unique yeast strains. Typical flavor notes to expect in a saison are citrus, banana, pepper, spice, and clove. The color of a saison usually ranges from burnt orange to amber, depending on the specific recipe.
What style of beer is spotted cow?
Spotted Cow is a beer made by the New Glarus Brewing Company in Wisconsin. It is a farmhouse-style ale that has a creamy, golden color with a white, foamy head. It has a light sweet aroma that is slightly fruity and is highly carbonated.
The taste is medium-bodied and slightly sweet with notes of clover and hay and a hint of citrus. The finish is dry and slightly tart with a light bitterness. It is a very drinkable beer with an ABV of 4.
8%. Since its release in 2001, Spotted Cow has become one of the most popular beers in Wisconsin and has been described as “Wisconsin’s State Beer”.
