Sunny and Share Citrus Saison — Mad and Noisy Brewing

Well, you might remember when I wrote about Mad and Noisy Hops and Bolts IPL a while back. If so, you will probably be as excited as I was to hear that Creemore is back at it, now with their Sunny and Share Citrus Saison. Saison is becoming the hot summer beer (replacing weisse/wit beers, though they generally also have wheat (and sometimes rye) in their malt bill). If you’re reading this and are totally confused, let me bring you up to speed: Creemore Springs has a line of beers (now up to two types) that they produce under the name Mad and Noisy Brewing, named for the two rivers that run through Creemore.  Basically, these are beers that let their brewers play, and come up with cool tastes for smaller batches of beer. Their Hops and Bolts India Pale Lager, was sort of like Creemore Premium lager on bath salts (in the best possible way; no face-eating). Big, aggresively hopped, but still with echos of it’s Creemore heritage. Sunny and Share Citrus Saison will likely deviate a bit further, as you can’t make a Belgian-style farmhouse ale with Creemore’s house yeast. But if the past experience counts for anything, this should be a solid offering.

Sunny and Share Citrus Saison — Mad and Noisy Brewing

Sunny and Share Citrus Saison — Mad and Noisy Brewing

** A little side note. The table in that picture is actually a picnic table my grandfather built using California Redwood, that he built in Cali, in the 50s (if I got the details all correct). I grew up eating outside at this table at my father’s house. He recently passed it down to me, and I adore it. Expect to see it in a lot more beer pics.

From a 473ml tallboy can, Sunny and Share Citrus Saison pours a slightly tawny orange, with glimmers of yellow at the edges.  Over 2″ of head drops to a wet foamy layer that laces the glass heavily.  Aroma is quite citrusy.  Lemons and oranges both show, along with a soapy astringency.  Clear Belgian yeast spices, with a little pop of sweet malts.  Taste is immediately tart, yet quite dry.  Citrus and hops are quite prevalent, with the latter being somewhat earthy and dry. Mind you, the hops could be fairly citrusy, and it would be hard to say.  The lovely tart citrus notes from the lemon and orange would camouflage it somewhat.  Sweetness from the malts is there if you look for it, and there is a pleasing hit from the yeast, showing some clove and ginger.  There’s also just a touch of soapiness to the yeast. Mouthfeel is quite creamy, but with a notably prickly carbonation.  Finish is nicely dry, with echos of the tart citrus and some traces of the hops and spices.  All told, it’s a really pleasant saison.

Cheers to the crew at Mad and Noisy!

Buy Sunny and Share Citrus Saison

Available at select Beer Stores in tallboy cans, at Fionn MacCool’s in 625ml bottles, and at The Beer Academy on draught, in growlers and in 625ml bottles. It will also be available at Toronto Festival of Beer, July 26-28th at The Exhibition Bandshell Park.

Drink it With

BBQ chicken.  Maybe a (not too spicy) jerk chicken, where the citrus and spices will balance well with the heady aromatic jerk sauce.  For cheese, a nice tart semi-ripe goat cheese would probably do well.  Creamy and tart, like the beer, and the spices from the beer would add an interesting counter-point to the cheese.

About The Brewery

Established in 1987, Creemore Springs is one of Ontario’s original craft brewers, taking great pride to make beer the old fashioned way. Brewed in small batches, in an open flame copper kettle with its own local spring water, the finest barley malt, imported noble hops and select yeast. No additives, no preservatives, no pasteurization and no compromises. Just good old-fashioned pure, natural beer – the same tradition that is carried through with our small-batch Mad & Noisy series. Named after the two rivers that merge and flow through the village of Creemore, Mad & Noisy lets Creemore’s beer-loving brewers explore and push the boundaries of traditional craft beer. This limited release, ever-changing series of imaginative, innovative and delicious craft concoctions will have beer enthusiasts’ tastebuds going a little crazy and clamouring for more. For more information visit www.creemoresprings.com.

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