Brasserie du Bocq Saison 1858
What the brewers say
“Hazy amber-gold color, medium body, and a complex Belgian-yeast aroma; crisp flavor with a bit of inviting, dynamic acidity balanced by forward hops. Beautiful soft carbonation and mouthfeel from bottle conditioning.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Big aroma! A bit of bready malt sweetness, strong lemongrass esters and a hint of peach. White grape, orange, and perfume like coriander. High lemon notes like a lemon-drop candy and light white pepper spice.”
Flavor: “Low malt presence and a slight Thai basil earthy/herbal flavor in the middle. A bit of tartness and pepper that lingers to balance the lemon and lemongrass. Dry finish with a medium body. Grape and citrus come through strong. Light astringency before the end that transitions back to a moderate lemon flavor.”
Overall: “Very earthy and fruity beer, balanced well between the herbal and fruit notes. Although tasty, the spices were somewhat overpowering for the saison style—it’s more akin to a strong wit fermented with saison yeast. The finish is dry and slightly peppery but the taste itself has a nice lemon sweetness.”
