saison

Saison: A History of Funky Farmhouse Ales

A Tale of Two Worlds: Agriculture and Music

Saison, a beer style born in the Belgian countryside, is as much a story of farmers as it is of brewers. Imagine this: you’re a Belgian farmer, hard at work tilling the fields in the sweltering summer heat. What do you crave after a long day’s labor? A refreshing, thirst-quenching beer, brewed with local ingredients and ready to go down smooth. Saison, with its high carbonation and dryness, was the answer.

But the story doesn’t end there. While saisons are famous for their earthy, spicy flavors, their history is tied to a different kind of spice – the spice of life, the spice of music. These beers were often brewed by farmers with a side hustle: playing music at local festivals and gatherings. Imagine a scene: a bustling village square, filled with the smells of freshly baked bread and the earthy aroma of saison. In the center, a farmer, his calloused hands not holding a pitchfork, but a fiddle, his heart pumping out tunes to the rhythm of the brewing process.

Funky Facts and Forgotten Favourites

Saison’s history is full of colorful characters and quirky moments. Here are a few fun facts that show the genre’s unique evolution:

• The Saison “Prophet”: Considered the “father of modern saison”, Jean De Clerck, a legendary Belgian brewer, wasn’t a farmer at all! He was a chemist who meticulously studied and recreated the lost art of saison brewing. Talk about a lab coat and a guitar!
• The “Saison” Song and Dance: In the early days, the word “saison” referred not just to the beer, but also to the festive season where the beer was brewed and consumed. Think of it like Oktoberfest, but with a more rural, farmhouse vibe.
• The “Not-So-Seasoned” Saison: There are stories of brewers adding local herbs and spices to their saisons, sometimes even using ingredients like nettle or mint. Who needs a cocktail when you’ve got a “saison” cocktail in a bottle?

A New Season of Success

Today, saison is a global phenomenon, enjoyed by beer enthusiasts worldwide. The style has even inspired modern musicians, with bands incorporating saison flavors into their lyrics and imagery. From indie rock to folk music, saison’s influence is undeniable.

So the next time you sip a saison, remember the farmers, the brewers, and the musicians who have brought us this unique and flavorful beer. It’s a tale of hard work, creativity, and a whole lot of funky fun. Cheers!