Autumn seasonal launched
Invercargill Brewery is introducing a European farmhouse ale to fill the gap between Boysenbeery and Smokin’ Bishop.
Sa!son (pronounced Say-zon) was unveiled this week as the brewery’s third seasonal beer after four years of trialing.
Brewer Steve Nally has a reputation for experimental brews, continually breaking new ground with his interpretations of traditional European beer styles – leading to the distinctive seasonal range of gold-medal winning beers that began with a manuka smoked bock and was followed by a fruit wheat beer that contains more fruit than most fruit juices.
The newcomer is just as distinctive. The saison-style (French for Season) has been claimed by both Belgium and France over the years. It was made at the end of winter and heavily hopped to preserve through the summer months so it could be doled out to farm workers at the autumn harvest.
Mr Nally said the style is so hard to come by in New Zealand that it was difficult to recreate with any certainty.
“We’re indebted to the palates of some of our international beer judges – we’d send them samples of trial brews, and they’d let us know if we were close to the mark.”
Last year was the first commercial trial with a 600 litre batch available in kegs only – this year, the recipe has been tweaked into its final form – and awarded its place in the seasonal line-up.
Upfront this hoppy effervescent brew has an aroma dominated by tangerine and passionfruit, the first mouthful of Sa!son has the requisite hints of spice with layers of zesty orange that sparkle on the palate, before ending with a silky finish.
Available until Winter.
The Beer Facts:
Name: Sa!son
Style: Saison
Color: Orange
IBU: 32
Hops: Rakau, East Kent Goldings, Riwaka
Yeast: French Saison
Malt: Gladfield Lager, Wheat, Biscuit, Caramalt
Alcohol: 6.5% by volume
Best Served: Lightly Chilled to 8 degrees
Availability: Autumn seasonal in kegs and 330ml bottles