Aug 19, 2015

Rising Tide Ete

Each year the Barley Blog family gets together down in the Outer Banks along the coast of North Carolina. And each year I look forward to two beer-related events. The first involves exploring retail shops for local brews that don’t make it too far north. The other, comes from much further north in the form of a few mixed six packs from Maine, courtesy my older sister — who, I guess, is also nice to see. This bottle of Rising Tide Été was part of that northern care package.

I don’t know much about this 4.1% ABV brew other than it is brewed in the vein of a Belgian Saison. As is often typical with American versions of traditional beer styles, it also packs a healthy hop profile with plenty of tropical fruit notes.

Appearance

Rising Tide Été pours a clear, golden straw in color with a frothy cap of white foam that leaves behind decent lacing as it drops.

Rising Tide Été photo

Aroma

Soft, funky yeast mingles with grapefruit, mango and distant spice notes.

Taste

There is a solid amount of luscious, tropical fruits within this beer that lead the way for a moderate bitterness. Soft yeast, distant spices, grass and a smooth barnyard presence all come into play, but don’t quite step to the forefront like the hop traits. The beer is crisp, almost sharp, on the tongue with a refreshing nature.

Overall

I personally prefer my Saisons on the more traditional side, but the surge of fruity hops was welcome on the hot afternoon that I sampled this brew. Rising Tide Été is refreshing and, at a lower alcohol content, is one that suits relaxing at the beach, soaking in the setting (or rising) sun.

Rating: 3.75/5

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