Catawba Brewing Releases Small Batch Peach Grisette

Catawba’s Small Batch Peach Grisette draws inspiration from the traditional working class ales of Southern Belgium during the late 19^th century. Brewed with a generous amount of flaked wheat, this refreshing session beer showcases the fruity esters of its French Saison yeast strain, amplified by the addition of freshly pureed peaches during secondary fermentation. The recipe is a spinoff from Catawba’s Le Session Saison, a popular summer seasonal release since 2015.  

As a beer style, the Grisette was relatively unknown until its revival by American craft breweries in recent years. Traditionally, Grisettes were favored by coal and stone miners of Wallonia, whereas the more ubiquitous Saisons were popularized by farm workers in Northern Belgium. The two beer styles are similar in character, with Grisettes typically being a bit lower in alcohol and lighter in body, without sacrificing flavor. The result is a thirst-quenching golden ale that continues to serve the needs of laborers during the warm months.  

Peach Grisette is Passport Beer #13 in Catawba’s 2017 Small Batch rewards program – available in their three tasting rooms, and in limited distribution. Participants with 13 stamps in their passports may collect the “First Layover” prize, a Catawba branded stainless steel can koozie, by presenting their passport booklets to bar staff at any of Catawba’s tasting rooms. There will be an additional drawing on April 20 for free Navitat Zipline Tours for passport holders who achieve a perfect First Quarter, collecting all 13 stamps to date.