Transient Artisinal Ales Ardent with Apricot
What the brewers say
“Our flagship barrel-fermented saison, aged on apricots and fermented with a mixed culture.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Light acidity/tartness with moderate apricot, light pear, and a touch of apple and vanilla. A wonderful presentation of the fruity apricot aromas with light floral aromas similar to honeysuckle.”
Flavor: “The apricot dominates the front end, but a moderate amount of tartness prevents it from becoming too sweet and fruity. A healthy amount of funk also complements the fruit. Surprisingly, a subtle amount of spice, typical of saisons, makes an appearance, a rarity for these fruity farmhouse styles. Light barrel character, but the fruit and funk are the stars.”
Overall: “Apricot is there throughout and adds a decent acidity. It’s a little sweeter than I was expecting for a saison, but a little more age will clean up the young Brett notes on the tail end as well as dry it out. A great beer that succeeds in its use of apricot and execution of the base farmhouse/saison beer.”
