Dogfish Head Biere de Provence
Dogfish Head has released some interesting Saisons over the past decade or so. Whether it be a collaborative effort Saison de Buff or a wine-influenced beast like Noble Rot (and the oak-aged version), the Delaware company has had its fun with the style. Bière de Provence is the brewery’s latest saison and is brewed with a spice blend including lavender, bay leaf, marjoram and chervil.
This particular bottle was five months old by the time I cracked it open in lat October, but being an 8.3% ABV saison, I wasn’t too worried about that duration. And the minute the cap’s seal was broken, I was reassured in my decision to purchase the beer. Fresh herbal notes fill the nose with a soft funkiness. The aroma certainly isn’t that of your typical saison and the minute Bière de Provence hits the tongue, it’s tea-like flavor profile re-enforces that fact.
The herbs dominate while the softly funky yeast lingers lightly in the background. Bière de Provence is a big, warming beer that carries an interesting array of flavors that were probably better suited for the warmer months instead of the cool October afternoon during which I enjoyed this particular bottle. It may not have been as fresh as the brewery probably would have liked it to be, but the flavors still hit the spot nicely.