Consider the saison. History did. In 19th-century Belgium, farmers brewed saisons—“farmhouse ales”—using leftover grains from the fall harvest. It was a practical solution: repurposing excess grain, staying busy during the off-season, feeding livestock with spent mash, and keeping seasonal workers refreshed and hydrated in the hot summer months. That’s what you call a win-win. Back then, saisons were typically around 3.5% alcohol by volume—light, sessionable, and perfect for warm weather. As for their signature funk? Farmers often re-pitched the same yeast year after year to save money, unintentionally cultivating wild, multi-strain fermentations that defined the style’s unique character. Today’s saisons carry that legacy: rustic, refreshing, funky, and delightfully complex. It’s officially summer—let’s get our saison on with Peaks & Pints Beer Flight: Farmhouse Ales.
Peaks & Pints Beer Flight: Farmhouse Ales
E9 Moon Maiden Farmhouse Ale
6% ABV
E9 Brewing’s Moon Maiden Farmhouse Ale is a fruited farmhouse sour—sometimes referred to simply as a saison, though its character leans strongly toward sour. It’s brewed in barrel-aged foudres and fermented with mixed cultures, delivering juicy apricot aroma and flavor from Okanogan Valley fruit. The beer is lightly tart and medium-funky, with soft stone-fruit esters, a whisper of oaky vanilla, and a juicy, smooth finish.
Brasserie Fantôme Red Spiritus Autumnal Project
6% ABV
Brasserie Fantôme’s Red Spiritus Autumnal Project is a limited-release, red-hued saison brewed in Belgium’s Wallonia region by the cult-favorite farmhouse ale producer, Dany Prignon. This seasonal beer pours a deep, crimson or chestnut color, accompanied by a thick, frothy head that bursts with effervescent carbonation. The aroma is a complex mix of toasted malt, hay, red currants, citrus, spice, and soft funk. On the palate, it offers flavors of caramel malt, red grapes, stone fruit, white pepper, nutmeg, and earthy herbs, with a delicate balance of sweetness, mild tartness, and gentle bitterness. Mouthfeel is light to medium with lively bubbles and a creamy texture that finishes clean and slightly dry.
Holy Mountain Witchfinder
6.1% ABV
Holy Mountain Brewing’s Witchfinder is a standout modern American saison brewed with pilsner malt, wheat, and hopped with Saaz and Amarillo for a floral and citrus aroma. Fermented with mixed saison yeast strains and bottle-conditioned with Brettanomyces, it often undergoes oak fermentation that adds complexity and subtle funk. Witchfinder offers bright notes of pear, grapefruit, and lemongrass, balanced by white pepper spice and a crisp, bone-dry finish with lively carbonation.
Little Beast Wolf Camp
6.2% ABV
Little Beast Brewing’s Wolf Camp is a hoppy saison that blends Old-World saison tradition with a bold, modern hop twist. Crafted with a base of crisp Pilsner malt and fermented with two Saccharomyces yeast strains, it delivers classic Belgian-style notes of clove, pepper, honey, straw, and subtle fruit. What sets Wolf Camp apart is its rotating dry-hop program—each batch is dry-hopped with a different American hop, such as Chinook or El Dorado, resulting in bright bursts of lemon-lime zest, grapefruit, pine, or even tropical hints like pineapple. The result is a crisp, dry, and refreshingly complex beer that changes character with each release.
pFriem Vinifera Saison
6.5% ABV
Great beer begins with great growers. That’s why pFriem Family Brewers fosters close relationships with local farmers throughout the Columbia Gorge, Oregon, and Washington. One such partner is Flower to Flour Farm, which began selling produce commercially in 2012—the same year pFriem opened its doors. Since then, the farm has supplied pFriem’s Tasting Room with seasonal fruits and vegetables from early spring through late fall. The 2024 Vinifera Saison is a Rosé-inspired, barrel-aged farmhouse ale brewed in collaboration with Le Doubblé Troubblé Wine Co. and conditioned on Grenache grapes. It pours a vibrant cherry blossom pink with a bright white cap and champagne-like effervescence. Aromas of wild strawberry, grapefruit, watermelon, and peach rise from the glass, flowing seamlessly into a palate rich with florals, mint, and mineral-driven complexity. The finish is soft and dry, with a final note of tart cherry lingering on the tongue.
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