La Maison Marmalade is something of an annual release for the Beerfarmers that now leaves its Margaret River home in canned format. Francophiles will note its name means "home", a reference to not only place but also an ethos that’s expressed in the beer via the use of seasonal fruit from the large Seville orange tree that grows directly behind the brewery. Indeed, using the saison style, which translates to "season", further compliments this sensibility.
Classic saison esters waft with muted sweet orange through the crisp white head. The fruit translates as more pithy than peel and provides a pleasant bitter anchor to malt sweetness, resulting in a deft balance. Secondary fermentation on oak adds a subtle complexity through the moderate, dry finish.
Those that are interested should head over to the Beerfarm website (see link on this page) for a longer story about how this beer connects with the brewery and, if added incentive was needed, images of head brewer Josh Thomas in a cherry picker.
Guy Southern
Published October 20, 2018 2018-10-20 00:00:00
