In the farmhouse laden, French speaking regions of Belgium, a special sort of ale was traditionally brewed during winter and preserved through till the warm weather of summertime. Translating to season in French, Saison is a brew characterized by the earthy, rustic essence of the countryside areas where the style originates. These top fermenting ales are unfiltered, achieve carbonation through bottle conditioning, and are at their best when served at around 50 degrees.
This article appears in Jan 6-12, 2010.