Apricot Au Poivre Saison

Papillion, Nebraska isn’t the first place your average beer hunter might consider when seeking out the origins of eclectic, Belgian-influenced farmhouse ales. Apricot Au Poivre Saison brims with brash, titillating notes of pineapple, citrus fruits, Tellicherry peppercorns, and fresh garden herbs. Though Tom found the nose lacking in malt character, he lauded the “luscious notes of coconut cream, pineapple, and Meyer lemons,” and dubbed the overall effect, “pleasant, yet slightly puzzling.” Lee enjoyed the “lively, pungent pepper and bright lemony citrus tang,” comparing the aroma to “spiced, sweet lemon curd.” Both felt the nose would benefit from more malt presence, as well as some “farmhouse ale” character. Brilliantly lemon yellow with coruscating flashes of spun gold, this brew is topped by velvety, pure white head that refuses to subside. Flashes of alcohol shine through sweet tropical fruit and piquant notes of pepper and green cardamom, yet no one element trumps the others. The flavor struck Mike as “pear brandy with a sharp, yet intriguing acidity,” and he enjoyed the brewer’s adroit balancing of sweet and sour throughout. Pete keyed in on the herbal, woody flavors, and found the malt to be lacking. He also felt the alcohol dried out the finish, and left an agreeable “lingering herbal, spicy aftertaste.” A scarce commodity to be sure, with relatively limited local availability, a visit with Apricot Au Poivre Saison is worth a journey.