In a blind tasting by BJCP trained experts, this beer rated

87

Fonta Flora Brewery Brine Oyster Saison

Aroma: “High salty aroma. Slight lemon plays nicely against the salty aroma. Woody, smoky aroma up front. Some white wine and a bit of white pepper. Salty and minerally.”

Flavor: “Big salt complexity with slight tartness. Acidity is very nice with this beer as it complements the salty characteristic. Very dry with wonderful carbonation that does justice to all the flavors and helps carry them. The salt and sweet bounce off each other with tartness and malt/fruity sweetness from start to the finish. The smoky character is a bit unexpected and comes through pretty strong—BBQ (hickory?) smoky. Almost BBQ sauce or ribs, except quite tart.”

Overall: “Salty, tart, acidic, and refreshing. Very complex beer between the citrus tartness and salt characteristics. Enjoyable—a very different take on a saison, but it came together nicely. Tart and light, but the smokiness is pretty strong. A bit strange like a hybrid gose/gratzer with the dance of salt and smoke. Not a beer I’d drink every day, but an enjoyable experiment.”

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