McKenzie Farmhouse Saison

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

On draft, Glen Mills. Poured a golden yellow color with a generous initial head and near perfect lacing. The aroma was orange and grapefruit rinds, but not a lot of pepper. The flavor was most strongly citrus rinds, a strong bitterness to this one. It was lacking the yeasty, barnyard and phenolic pepper/spice character that I like in my saisons. Seems like a poor man's DeRanke's XX Bitter. Full bodied and well carbonated.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

One of the many (many!) outstanding brews that Master Host Richard provided to the gathering at his place last Friday night (the now infamous "Friday Night At Casa Perro"), that also featured appreances from Darren and Rick from up North.

This particular bottle (hand-numbered #53 of 500) was provided to the collective by Dave -- an outstanding dude that I look forward to meeting at the Strong Ale Fest in December. And with a beer this fine, I can easily see why it was hand-bottled and hand-numbered by the fine folks at McKenzie.

Awesome aroma -- quite fiery and yet earthy ("farm house-y", perhaps?). Hoppier than I woud have expected from the style -- definate Golding action going on here. Mouthfeel a little too assertive, almost sappy, but not in an unappealing way, mind you. Quite drinkable, and satisfying as it goes about it's business, naturally.

This was my very first exposure to McKenzie (like Darren, I had never heard of them until that Friday night). But with excellent beers such as this, I can forsee Southampton Publik House having an apt student (in the form of this brewery) knocking on their back-door soon enough. Recommended.
//TB

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

A murky yellow appearance. A good blend of some pears, apricots, and lemons. It had a funky sour quality to it. The aftertaste was somewhat bitter. Overall this was pretty good.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Pours a golden color with a fluffy white head and some lacing. Yeast and citrus fruit aroma. Malty, spritzy taste. Lots of yeast, some pepper, and more citrus, full mouthfeel.