Saison Ancienne

Wheat malt provides a crisp and mild malt backbone to an otherwise dry, yeast-forward beer. The addition of sugar helps to enhance the already dry and crisp mouthfeel.

The single ounce of Czech Saaz provides a mild herbal hoppiness, but due to its addition in a hopstand, it adds virtually no bitterness. As a result, the Lactobacillus in the Brettanomyces/Lactobacillus blend produces a notable acidity. While not as tart as a gueuze or a Berliner weisse, it's more sour than a typical saison.

Fruity and peppery, Wyeast's French Saison strain is highly attenuative, producing a dry beer, especially when coupled with the Brettanomyces blend. At the same time, it's high glycerol production leaves a fuller mouthfeel than is typically found in dry ales.

The Brettanomyces blend is primarily Brettanomyces Drei (guava, passion fruit, and apricot), with lesser amounts of Brettanomyces Bruxellensis (cherries, leather, barnyard funk) and Brettanomyces Claussenii (pineapple, citrus, mild funk).

The resulting beer should be dry, slightly sour, crisp, and pleasantly fruity. Expect acidity, lemon, tropical fruit, and pepper, supported by rustic funk and mild herbal notes.