When I was younger and just starting my journey to craft beer geekdom I used to make fun of a few of my friends who drank blueberry beer. Growing up and going to college in Maine these beers were all over the place, they were typically light ales loaded up with artificial blueberry flavors and sweetness. While those beers still aren’t my thing, I don’t poke fun at anyone’s choice of beverage anymore, my philosophy is drink what you like, although I am happy to make recommendations when they are requested. As craft beer has evolved so have fruited beers, now talented brewers make many styles of beer where additions of fresh fruit complement the flavors of the beer without overwhelming them. August is blueberry season in Maine, and the small, sweet, berries are one of the most popular fruits grown in the state. It is no surprise that many local breweries have made attempts to incorporate these blueberries into beer, with varying levels of success. One new addition to the blueberry beer lineup is Allagash Saison Violette, a saison brewed with local blueberries. Allagash Saison Violette is available for a limited time on draft and in 16 oz cans.
Allagash Saison Violette pours clear deep purple with a large pink head. The aroma features some fruity and spicy yeast esters. The yeast also leads the flavor, notes of peppercorn, barnyard and pear. The blueberries add a subtle fruity flavor that melds well with the flavors from the yeast. Some bready malts and herbal hops round out the flavor. Saison Violette is light and refreshing, not overly boozy at 6.0% ABV. The finish is dry with a little lingering fruit and yeast flavor. This is definitely not the blueberry beer of 15 years ago, and that is a good thing. Hoppy Boston score: 4.0/5.
Previous Allagash Reviews:
Allagash Crosspath, Allagash Map 40, Allagash Haunted House, Allagash River Trip, Allagash Farm to Face, Allagash Interlude 2017, Allagash Coolship Red, Allagash Hibernal Fluxus 2016, Allagash Sixteen Counties, Allagash Tiarna, Allagash Confluence 2015, Allagash Curieux, Allagash White, Allagash Dubbel, Allagash/Maine Beer/Rising Tide Prince Tuesday, Allagash Saison, Allagash Black
Hoppy Boston 
