Spinnakers Festive Saison

$4.65 for 650ml
+354332 Available at Brewpub, BC Liquor Stores and select private liquor stores on Southern Vancouver Island
www.spinnakers.com

There’s more – so much more – to holiday activities than wine. Nothing pairs better than post shopping, gift wrapping, tree trimming, apres-cleaning – than a good beer. Plus when you have guests over it’s always a smart idea to stock up on local brews for those non-wine drinkers in the crowd. Spinnakers Brewpub has released two festively labeled, limited edition, seasonal beers this month – just the thing to stock up on. I tried their Festive Saison – released December 15 and available through the end of the month (or while supplies last!). I do love Saisons – also known as Farmhouse Ales. Traditionally cold weather brewed, these Belgian style beers marry fruit and spice beautifully. This one does that in a nutshell – a lovely gold hue, with intertwined orange peel, coriander and cereal notes and an earthy, bitter orange rind ending. Sweet malts are present and balanced very nicely, and the finish is crisp and refreshing. This beer isn’t clumsy or heavy handed, rather it is rustically elegant (like my gift wrapping). I have a few of these chilling in my fridge right now – but they won’t be there for long! Hmm – maybe Santa would like to stop by for a cold one…  5.5% alc.

*Also keep an eye out for Spinnakers Happy New Beer – available December 22 through New Year. This is possibly Spinnakers’ most local beer made to date. Happy New Beer is a Belgian style Witbier, brewed with Mike Doehnel’s malted wheat & barley from the Saanich Peninsula, Saanich grown coriander, Cliff Leir’s (Fol Epi bakery) bran and Silk Road Tea’s Chamomile tea.

Rating:  (click here to see what our wine ratings mean)

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Spinnakers Festive Saison

Saisons are also known as Farmhouse Ales. Taditionally cold weather brewed, these Belgian style beers marry fruit and spice beautifully. This one does that in a nutshell – a lovely gold hue, with intertwined orange peel, coriander and cereal notes and an earthy, bitter orange rind ending. Sweet malts are present and balanced very nicely, and the finish is crisp and refreshing.