O’Connor Shipwreck Bay Nelson Sauvin Saison
I’ve been liking what O’Connor Brewing has been producing lately. Their products have been solid and flavorful, often times pushing the envelope a bit with regard to style. And such is the case with Shipwreck Bay Nelson Sauvin Saison, a 7.5% ABV (46 IBU) saison-style ale that employs a solid amount of, you guessed it, Nelson Sauvin hops.
While this pale straw colored brew has a bit of funk and solid grain base, the grassy and tropical fruits of the hops tend to overwhelm the base brew a bit. The overall character of the beer — even though it’s not overly biting — reminds more of a pale ale that happens to have a saison yeast in its depths more so what we are presented here.
Shipwreck Bay is still a solid offering and is quite refreshing. If style constraints aren’t your thing — let’s be honest here, I’m not sure any one is strictly brewing to style any more — then this light bodied, lively beer is ideal for the warm months to come. I’m hoping I can find a couple more bottles up in northern Virginia before the Summer heat ramps up.