With all of this "Imperial" beer talk lately I remembered that there was still a bottle of Saison Imperiale Belgian Farmhouse Ale (from De Proef Brouwerij in Lochristi, Belgium) in the back of my beer fridge. I guess it is time to do inventory again to figure out what else is back there. As soon as I pulled the bottle to bring it to proper serving temp I was mentally preparing that it is not going to be the typical fluffy, slightly tart Saison. Being that it looked darker and drops in at 8.5% abv were the first two precursors. Thanks to SBS- Imports (
Crystal clear and bright orange amber color, thick bubbly frothy off- white head leaves a crown of lace on the glass. Aromas of lemon grass, turmeric, ripe melon, parsley, tart plum and musty hay. Alcohol is quite noticeable in the nose. Big viscous smoothness and crispness rolls slowly through the full body. A bit creamy and slick in the mouth feel. Caramelized malt sugar, grainy horse feed like malt flavor, earthy with a hint of mineral and salt and sweet cooked veggies in the back. Alcohol is a bit flamboyant with fruity esters in tow, ripe pineapple and papaya come to mind. A complex herbal phenolic slowly peels away layers as it warms up a bit more with each sip. Suggestions of pumpkin seeds, pepper corns and starchy plantains. A little buttery, stripped hop character appear middle to end. Finishes with a deep grassy grain flavor that runs semi-sweet.
A complex beer for the mature palate ... or simply an acquired taste. Any true Belgian beer lover will appreciate if not have high regards for this ale. Unlike all Saison I have ever tried, think one part Saison plus one part Quad and this is what you will probably end up with. I broke out a wedge of creamy Danish blue and fig spread with the rest of the sample, with a beer like this blue is always a good choice.
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