Saosin X Saison

     IT HAPPENED - And many folks couldn't be more pleased, as it was announced earlier this year that Anthony Green is the frontman for Saosin once again!! It may only be for a few select dates, but as the saying goes, "Better than nothing…" Can't recall specifically, but I believe it's been roughly a decade since he has held the reigns during a Saosin performance… It's bigger than just Anthony Green though, it's the dynamic of the entire band on the tracks written with him as the foreman… It's not that Cove Reber isn't an excellent vocalist, but it seemed that after "Translating The Name," they lost some "fluidity" (for lack of a better term) in their music, as their later releases seemed a bit stale… Now, that comparison is in contrast to TTN, not to discredit their later releases as they are still outstanding pieces of work!!

It has already been discussed with Anthony that the band name is not derived from the beer title, but from an Asian proverb which stresses caution… SO - What does a finely crafted saison have to do with Saosin?! Well, they have extremely similar spelling, are perfect for simultaneous enjoyment, and each are currently enjoying a nice lil' comeback this summer!! While both have been around a quick minute, both have also recently somewhat faded into the background as of late, but their resurgence is set to be well received…

  It's no secret that IPA's are currently the hot genre in the beer world right now, but many overlook the fact that a majority of saisons  still have a pretty decent amount of hops to them… Granted most are of lower Alpha percentages, have earthier flavor profiles, and the Belgian yeast strains only add to the traditional hop profiles - The styles aren't too dissimilar… Of course I reviewed a saison to accompany this write-up, I chose "Le Chapeau" and the review can be found at the bottom of the article...

  The beer and band also share similarities in the sense that they offer a little something for everybody's tastes!! On the musical side, the band has walked the fine line of both maintaining their sound and progressing their sound with integrity… Their earlier sound was comprised of airy riffs, with gritty, raw vocals atop some of the nastiest drum work of the genre… (Please don't even begin asking how I'd label the band… The whole '-Core' YouTube comment label trolling is for fuckin' pussies…) Their later releases brought about much fuller and harder hitting riffs and more "solid" composition in their overall song writing… Then on the beer side, the farmhouse style ale is one that has a deep history in the beer world,  but it's one that hasn't become overly romanticized by the blossoming craft beer scene… While it has evolved and been subject to different flavor profiling, its' core has remained very much the same, so whether your a classical enthusiast, or are looking to expand the boundaries, there is a saison representation to suit your palate… Although, much like the band, it doesn't get much better than the original… So be sure to simultaneously indulge in the sounds and the suds, and if possible, also make it out to a live performance!!

Copper Kettle - Le Chapeau [French-Style Saison Ale Aged In Red Wine Barrels : Brewed 2013 - Release No. 1 - Bottle 965 of 1600] (22oz ---> Stella Artois Chalice : 7.1% ABV : 28 IBU)

  With (what seems like) quite a few saisons currently available on my local shelves, I couldn't resist a graphic of Napoleon enjoying a snifter of beer, (Nor the challenge of removing a cap beneath a wax molding…) Oh, and "Le Chapeau" means "The Hat" - Which seems just, seeing as how just about every reference I've ever seen to the man depicts him rockin' a big ass hat… MOVING ON - It poured a much more delicately than many saisons I've tried, with minimal carbonation and a beautiful golden amber color… There was a soft inch high head that faded at what I would refer to as a "standard" pace, leaving not much lacing but a light retentive cap… Some soft spiciness is first detected on the nose, but I can't quite make a definitive reference as to what I'm smelling… Beneath that are hints of red wine atop a belgian yeast backdrop… First taste is some wheaty funk, but it's restrained and extremely approachable… Mid-palate you start to get some oakiness, which is also not overbearing and blends nicely with the spice notes that present themselves once again… The finish is where the wine influence becomes much more pronounce, It'd be reaching to call them distinctly "berry" flavors, but I do detect the wine much more on the back end amongst more soft oakiness… The mouthfeel on this beer was excellent!! It was as delicate as it poured, with easily enough body and bitterness to still remain a dimensional brew… Overall I enjoyed the beer, as no single flavor took over and all mingled nicely amongst one another, but I would have liked to have enjoyed a little more of the wine end of the spectrum though… Another great brew - Cheers!!