What is a saison beer?

With so many beers on the taplist or filling the aisle of your favorite grocery store, you’ve likely seen a saison or two in the mix. Unfortunately, many people interpret saison as meaning session, which isn’t the case. The story behind saison beer is interesting and will help you appreciate its taste the next time you try one.

What is a saison?

In French, saison means “season.” But don’t get ahead of yourself; saisons are not French. They originated in the French-speaking area near Wallonia, Belgium. Breweries produced saison in the winter for farmhands to enjoy into the summer and later harvest before refrigeration was available. Saisons needed to be sturdy enough to hold up for months yet light and crisp to be a refreshing drink in the heat.

To be considered a true saison, the beverage must use Belgium saison yeast. While brewers create variety using different grains or fruits, they must have this common ingredient. This strain is sourced from the Wallonia region of Belgium and produces flavors and aromas considered earthy, peppery, and spicy.

The beer should fall on the color spectrum between straw and dark brown. It will commonly take on the hues of the fruits, malts, and other ingredients used in the recipe. Expect a medium to medium-high IBU with low to medium-high tastes of malts and hops. Most have a low ABV since the purpose was to be a refreshing drink for farm workers in the heat of summer.

Are saisons and farmhouse ales the same thing?

Yes and no. Saisons are often referred to as farmhouse ales because the original breweries were farms and grew the ingredients needed for the beverage in their fields. To be a farmhouse ale, they must meet that criterion–to be produced using ingredients grown on the brewer’s farm (or perhaps a nearby farm.). However, today many saisons are created with non-local ingredients, so not all can be considered authentic farmhouse ales.

Are saisons and session beers the same thing?

This is one of the most misunderstood elements of saison beers. Because the two words look similar, many believe “saison” is another word for “session,” which it is not. Traditional saisons were indeed brewed to have a lower ABV. That makes sense since the farm owners wanted to produce a beverage their workers could drink during and after work toiling in the hot fields. However, today there are many modern variations of the beverage, and some have a higher ABV. The ABV cannot exceed 5% to be considered a session beer. As a result, many saisons are sessions–but not all. And not all session beers are saison–they are two different things.

Visit The Growler Guys to experience new styles of beer.

Explore the growing variety of beers in one taproom, The Growler Guys. Each location carries the best local varieties, from the palest ales to the darkest stouts, along with ciders and kombucha. Our friendly staff is happy to walk you through the characteristics of every style to help you discover your personal favorites. Take home the beers you love best in a growler to share with family and friends. View our online tap list to learn about the available selections at a location near you.