From Harpoon:
Harpoon is proud to introduce the 54th installment of the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series: Nordic Saison. Anders Kissmeyer of Kissmeyer Beer & Brewing, Will Meyers of Cambridge Brewing Company, and Jaime Schier of Harpoon Brewery created this effervescent golden Saison using local honey and cranberries, rosehips, yarrow, and heather flowers.
Harpoon’s Jaime Schier first met and enjoyed beers with Anders Kissmeyer, a pioneer of the Danish craft beer movement, on one of Harpoon’s annual beer culture trips to Denmark back in 2005. So when Anders asked him to join his Saison experiment—brewing the same recipe at select craft breweries around the world— Jaime jumped at the chance. Together with longtime friend Will Meyers from across the Charles River at Cambridge Brewing Company, the three fashioned this Saison with a distinctly floral, herbal character, refreshing tartness, and sublimely dry finish.
Harpoon Nordic Saison is part of Anders’ collaborative experiment that celebrates local ingredients and showcases the individual “stamp” of each craft brewer. “The Nordic Saison project is aimed at exploring the fascinating differences in the character of beers arising from the same base recipe but brewed at different breweries. Then the ’fingerprint’ of the brewery – in the form of the karma of the brewers, their equipment and methodology, and the local ingredients – can be expressed,” says Anders. “The Harpoon Nordic Saison is very accessible and drinkable, but still with a subtle depth of complexity that keeps you coming back for more.”
Harpoon Nordic Saison has a light body and a slight tartness and bitterness. The aroma is fruity and spicy with a subtle Citra hop note. The flavor is crisp, floral, and spicy from the addition of local honey and cranberries, rosehips, yarrow, and heather flowers. It finishes is crisp with a yeast spiciness, fruity complexity, and a touch of citrus.
Brewers’ pairing recommendations:
Anders: “This beer is extremely ´food versatile´ meaning that it will go very well with almost any seafood dish imaginable, with most of the salads and sandwiches (burgers excluded, though!) I know of, traditional chicken dishes, most Thai dishes, all pale and/or vegetable based soups, most cheeses (apart from very strong or bleu cheeses…).”
Will: “I see this beer as quite versatile and able to complement food in a variety of circumstances. Terrific with fresh chevre and soft rind cheeses, mild pickled or cured vegetables and meats, definitely seafood and grilled fowl. Not only would it pair well with a salad of fresh herbs, I would also include it as an ingredient in a vinaigrette and as a marinade.”
Jaime: “This beer is best paired with a warm summer day out on the patio, filled with great friends and great conversation!”
Brewers’ Tasting Notes for Nordic Saison:
- Appearance: very pale golden
- Aroma: herbal notes with yeast phenols and esters
- Mouth feel: very light bodied, highly carbonated,
- Taste: tart, herbal, with balanced contribution from Yarrow, Heather flowers, dried cranberries, honey, and Rose Hips
Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Nordic Saison Beer Specs:
- Style: Saison
- ABV: 6.1%
- IBUs: 25
- Color: 8 EBC
The Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Nordic Saison is now available in 22 oz. bottles and draft (limited availability).
Harpoon introduced the 100 Barrel Series in 2003 to showcase the individual brewing talents of its employees. Every couple months, a different Harpooner is invited to choose a style of beer, formulate the recipe, and brew the beer. That brewer’s signature can be found on the bottle label. The beers in the series are one-offs; they are brewed in limited batches and are available only until the batch sells out. Since the series began in May of 2003, 54 different styles of beer have been brewed. For a complete list of beers that have been released as part of the 100 Barrel Series, visit www.harpoonbrewery.com.
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