Erik Perkins
If you ask someone who is really into craft beer about quintessential representations of particular beer styles there are a few examples that will almost universally be mentioned.
- Pale ale: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
- Belgian pale ale: Orval
- Hefeweizen: Weihenstephaner
- Gueuze: Cantillon Classic.
When it comes to saison the textbook example is always Saison Dupont. Every time I taste a saison I mentally compare it to Saison Dupont. The flavorful yeast driven beer is a great food beer and the somehow fluffy yet crisp and dry finish makes it one of my regular go-to beers.
When I heard that Dupont was making a collaboration beer with another brewery I have the ultimate respect for in Allagash of Portland, Maine I was beyond excited. Brewers Bridge is a riff on the classic offering brewed with the traditional Dupont yeast strain but with American Cascade hops give it a unique twist.
The beer pours a pale gold with above-average clarity and a frothy white head that fills half of the glass with even a moderate pour. The nose is an effervescent blast of fruity yeast esters reminiscent pears and banana along with sweet grainy malt a bit of rye spice. The cascade hops bring a faint citrus note but the yeast is the star of the show.
The first sip is straight-up classic saison. Expressive yeast character with a noticeable spicy peppery kick and grainy light malts. The mouthfeel is somehow prickly and fluffy soft at the same time and the finish is a blend of earthy grassy hops, black pepper and a dry bitterness.
