Sa!sion wins silver in Australia
Invercargill Brewery has done it again – with its latest seasonal brew winning Silver at the Australian International Beer Awards which were announced in Melbourne on Friday.
Sa!son, a European style farmhouse ale, was launched in April and has followed in the fine tradition of Smokin’ Bishop (2007) and Boysenbeery (2008) by earning a medal in its launch year.
The brewery’s iconic Pitch Black once again took out a bronze medal, while Wellington-based Yeastie Boys won three medals for Invercargill-Brewery-made-beers – His Majesty (silver), PKB (silver) and PKB Remix (Bronze).
Brewer Steve Nally has a reputation for breaking new ground with his interpretations of traditional European beer styles – leading to the distinctive seasonal range of -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.
Sa!son is just as distinctive. The saison style (French for Season) has been claimed by both Belgium and France over the years. Usually 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.
“I’m indebted to the palates of some of our international beer judges – we send them samples from trial brews, and they let us know if we’re close to the mark.”
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. It will be available until Winter.
The Australian International Beer Awards attracted 1195 entries this year.