The Original Worker’s Beer

Saisons are Farmhouse Ales that originated in the farms of Belgium before the last century. Farmers would take the barley and, often, the wheat that they grew and would brew in the winter months so that they would have beer to drink when the summer came. Their liquid respite had to be light-bodied, low in alcohol, and with just enough tartness and bitterness to be refreshing.

Because the American Craft Beer Revolution is the story of American craft brewers playing with European styles, as soon as craft beer was a thing, it was not long until Saisons were a thing as well. Brewery Ommegang opened in 1997, dedicated to brewing Belgian style ales. Its second offering came just months after it opened — the Hennepin, possibly America’s first modern commercial Saison. Since then, the Saison has been a constant color in the American craft brewer’s palette.

This Thursday, we devote our beer tasting to our favorite summer style. Please stop by anytime within the hour and a half for this free walk-up tasting.