Ilkley Brewery Siberia Rhubarb Saison
I don’t believe that I’ve crossed paths with the UK’s Ilkley Brewery in my beer drinking escapades. And I’m not the biggest fan of rhubarb — at least I don’t think I am — but I do like a good saison and I’m always up for a challenge. The company’s Siberia Rhubarb Saison, brewed in conjunction with beer writer Melissa Cole, proved an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.
Now, normally, I like my saisons fairly traditional. The addition of rhubarb in the mix of this 5.9% ABV version makes it anything but. The presence of a soft tartness (courtesy the rhubarb) as it mixes with a moderate farmhouse funk gives Siberia a little something different to separate it from the crowd. It’s not a trait that I would always want in my saison, but was still enjoyable nonetheless.
Appearance
The beer pours like any other saison I’ve enjoyed — a frothy stack of white foam sits atop the golden straw brew.
Aroma
The rhubarb presence here is soft at best, adding just a little something extra to the yeast, grain, distant spices and soft funk of the base offering.
Taste
Again, the rhubarb’s influence is light, but perhaps that was the goal all along. It’s soft tartness mingles well with a light, earthy bit of farminess, lingering for a good bit in the lasting finish. Yeast, grains, distant spices and light fruits are all present throughout as is a touch of bitterness that tingles the tongue a bit. The beer is crisp on the palate, finishing lightly dry.
Overall
Siberia Rhubarb Saison is an interesting beer. It’s a decent saison to begin with and the addition of the tartness from the vegetable gives it a little something extra. Like I said, I’m not sure that I could go for that character too often in a beer like this, but for this one-time experience I enjoyed the flavor.
Rating: 3.75/5
