Bridge Road India Saison

Nøgne Ø India Saison is a collaboration brew between Nøgne Ø & Bridge Road Brewers, a microbrewery from Victoria in Australia that was established in 2005. Having 4 saison brews in their stables and bringing new Australian hops Stella & Galaxy to Nøgne this brew has high expectations from me. Imperial Oak Aged Porter & B2 Bomber is their 2 highest rated beers on RateBeer. This beer might be of the style saison but from the name it is more a blend of an IPA & a saison in my opinion and this seems to be a consensus from many others also, a hoppy saison.

Right from the beginning I loved this beer, the aroma was so fresh and amazing and the taste had just the right amount of bitterness and fruits in it to win over me. On the nose the aroma was very hoppy, exotic fruits, fresh grass, some yeast and spice. Full bodied with bitterness and lots of citrus in the body and a dry finish. A very refreshing brew that is well suited to light foods and without a doubt another one of my favourite from Nøgne Ø. Just hope the interest is huge for this beer so Nøgne brews some more batches that can make its way over here. 

 

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Saison

Nøgne Ø Saison, Immediately from the pour, it is apparent that Nøgne Ø Saison is made with wheat. Nøgne Ø Saison is a bottle conditioned saison that pours a cloudy golden, with a lot of sediment at the bottom and is definitely reminiscent of a Saison – aka Belgian yeast + farm "funk" smells. Not a huge drinker of Saison beers, this one had a light body, but full of flavour with hints of lemon zest, earth, hay, and bready malt. Had a wet, musty lingering to it. 

I got a lot of apples and grassy tones in this beer along with some pepper and thought it was quite hoppy for a saison. The finishes had a crisp bitterness that makes you want to experience it all again. It also has enough warmth at 6.5% and I could see this beer working a lot more during a warm Summers day, and ok beer from Nøgne Ø but noting that blew me away like many other beers they brew.

 

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Saison Reserve

Nøgne Ø Saison Reserve is a Saison and the 3rd of this beer type to be brewed at Nøgne Ø. Saison and India Saison being the other 2. I really like the India Saison so i am hoping for big things from this beer. Originally this beer was meant to be a batch of the regular Saison, but an error was made during the brewing that made its color a lot darker for this style. Instead of dumping the beer it was decided to age it in red wine barrels and so Saison Reserve was born.

I did not think this beer was that dark in color, but what an amazing aroma or red wine it had. Very fruity, spicy and some yeast but a nice touch of red berries from the red wine cask. Tasted very nice, lots of red wine, farmhouse hay, spices, yeast and fruits like ripe peaches. Medium bodied and as with this style it has tartness and slightly sour but what I love about this beer is the balance between bitter, sweet and acidicness.

Did not realize that I was a Saison drinker, but this seems to be the case and I need to try more BA saison beers. Farmhouse and funkiness both make a great aroma to a beer and barrel ageing this beer was a great idea. Loved this beer and would definitely but it again if I get the chance.

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