New Glarus Unplugged Imperial Saison
Thanks to Jason at Barleypopmaker I’m sampling my fifth New Glarus beer over the last couple of weeks. I’ve had the Fat Squirrel, Stone Soup, Dancing Man Wheat, and a big Belgium Red. The next selection will be the Unplugged Imperial Saison. I love this style of beer, I can’t wait to taste what unique twist New Glarus has made to this style.
Here is what New Glarus says about their Unplugged Imperial Saison:
A few times a year we will cut Dan loose to brew whatever he chooses, uncensored, uncut, unplugged. Always handcrafted, the bottle you hold is brewed for the adventurous soul. This is a very limited edition and we make no promises to ever brew this style again.
Our Imperial Saison captured a bold celebratory shout of apricot and peach in a bottle. Both bright and bold this is a lively truly living beer. Bottle conditioned with rare Belgian yeast and soured to illuminate its copper hued body. Ginger and Grains of Paradise promiscuously dance with Styrian Golding hops. Wipe winter from your brow and enjoy now or attempt to resist its siren song and lay down in your cellar.
Appearance:
This beer had a massive torrent of bubbles creating a massive billowy head. I mean it almost looked violent. The Creamy white head sit on a hazy golden orange brew.
Aroma:
New Glarus Imperial Saison
Strong fruit notes of pear and apricot permeate this beer with a clear vinegar softness rounding out the aroma.
Taste:
Wow, that is a sour saison!!! The sweet fruit flavor of peach of this dry beer is quickly bashed by an intense sour the rapidly mellow our into a yeast, slightly spiced vinegar.
Glassware: Tulip
Calories: 8.7% abv and a dry beer, would have 260-285 calories per 12oz (Calorie Chart)
Overall Impression:
If you can’t tell this is going to be a sour beer from the aroma, you’ll be in shock when you drink it. It is quite a sour beer, a solid 6 on a ten point scale. I really enjoyed this beer, in fact will be similar to one I’m going to brew soon, at least i hope so. Wish these beers were more readily available, I would get more if they were!
Sounds like a really interesting brew. I’m just coming around to sour beers and this one sounds like it packs a wallop. It would be like jumping into the deep end, which is exactly what I like to do.
I’d love to know where to get a hold of one.
While the sour in this beer is intense, it is not as intense as many lambics. If you want to ease into Sour types of beer that you can get in Jersey, try the Duchesse de Bourgogne, Jolly Pumpkin La Roja, or Ichtegem Grand Cru
I found a guy in WI who was willing to trade beer with me. New Glarus does not distribute outside of WI, yet.