Highland Brewing Saw-Whet Saison Ale – A First Sampling

We brought you an early peek at this beer back ing Nov, and ever since that post, I’ve been excited to try it for myself.

This is Highland Brewing Saw-Whet Saison Ale and it is the first of three new seasonal beers coming from Highland.  This beer brings together Belgian yeast and American dry-hopping for some really interesting and complex flavors.

Named for the Saw-Whet Owl (the smallest predatory owl on the eastern U.S.), this beer supports the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, protectors of lands inhabited by the Saw-Whet Owl in NC an TN. 

This beer pours like a traditional saison, but you can’t help but pick up on the spicy, hoppy and citrusy aromas.  The flavor begins with yeasty and spicy flavors and it finishes clean and surprisingly dry.  The flavors of citrus, lemon and spices are prominent and there is a really well balanced hop presence coming from the Summit & Ahtanum hops.

Saw-Whet Saison Ale hits 6%-AbV and 50 IBU, but you’ll see when you sample it how well it hides the 6%-AbV and especially the 50 IBU.  This beer is really well balanced and it seems to have just the right amount of hops to create that citrusy and dry balanced finish.

All in all this is a really nice beer that we really enjoyed.  We did pair Saw-Whet Saison with Gruyere cheese and the match was really nice and really furthered the textures and flavors of the beer.

This beer is available now in 12oz bottles and it will be followed by Earl’s Hoppy Wheat Ale in April 2016.

Be sure to try Highland Saw-Whet Saison Ale for yourself, and as always, be sure to let me know what YOU think.