Happy Marathon Monday/Patriots Day! For those of you that don’t live in Massachusetts, today is a state holiday where most of metro Boston closes work and has a big party while some elite athletes/insane people (or both, depending on your perspective) run 26.2 miles. This is one of the best days to live in Boston, it’s our own private holiday and a true celebration of our city. The day has even more meaning after the events of two years ago and the response of the city and it’s residents.
While spring technically started almost a month ago I’ve always circled this day as the true start of spring in MA. It fits this year too, the snow is finally gone, we’ve had some seasonal weather recently, I even opened the porch and cleaned off the grill this weekend. I have long stated that my favorite beer for the springtime is the Belgian saison style – it’s the perfect combination of light body and full flavor to complement the season. Last spring I dedicated a couple months to exploring the saison style and found some new favorites, you can read my superlative awards HERE. While I am not going into that much depth this spring you can expect a number of saison reviews over the next few months. I’ll start with Printemps, part of the special release entrepot series brewed by Rising Tide Brewing Company. Saisons are also called farmhouse ales since the style originated in Belgian farmhouses. Most American craft beer is brewed in industrial parks instead of on farms, so Rising Tide jokingly calls Printemps an American warehouse ale. Rising Tide Printemps is available during the spring on draft and in 12 oz. bottles.
Rising Tide Printemps pours a clear straw yellow with a mild white head. The scent is all Belgian style yeast, spicy and fruity. The yeast leads the flavor too, notes of green apple, pear and black pepper. This is balanced by a full pale malt backbone, bready with some wheat and just a hint of sweetness. While this isn’t a “hoppy” beer, there are noticeable American hops that add complexity to the yeast flavor/aroma, notes of lemon and peach with a little late bitterness. The beer is light bodied and easy to drink, at 6.5% ABV it is about average for the style. The finish has some fruity esters and some drying bitterness from the hops. This is a really good saison, full flavored and refreshing, perfect for a spring BBQ. Hoppy Boston score: 4.5/5.
Previous Rising Tide Reviews:
Hoppy Boston 
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