Bridge Road Saison de Printemps

For their second variation on the Saison theme, the Bridge Road brew team has added elderflower and blueberries to their highly rated beer to create a one-off "Spring Saison", having twice experimented with quince. Once again, both additional ingredients are sourced locally - the elderflower at the brewery itself - and once again it's a markedly different beer to its parent. It's cloudier in appearance and has something of a blood orange tinge compared to the original's light straw colour, while the new additions also give something of a herbacious edge to it. There's some lemon mingled with the traditional fruity, spicy saison notes plus a fair amount of added funk. To taste, it's no less complex, with a hint of sugar sweetness amid the tartness, a sharp snap of plum-like bitterness and a perfumey aftertaste. Intriguing!

Published December 21, 2010 2010-12-21 00:00:00