Marion the Agrarian

Marion the Agrarian by Upland Brewing Company is a dry-hopped farmhouse ale which is being evaluated as a Saison (2015 BJCP Category 25B) from the BJCP guidelines. This saison features a fruit heavy nose – banana esters give way to notes of orange peel which seem hop derived. There is an absence of phenolic peppercorn-like spiciness.  Overall, the aroma is reminiscent of a fruit cup with fresh fruit as opposed to canned. This medium-blonde beer presents with slight haze and pours with a surprisingly small, creamy white head that seems a bit skimpy for the style. The flavor follows the aroma: fruit forward. Banana esters are dominant but well-supported with bready malt and a hint of alcohol. There is a bubblegum flavor present which doesn’t necessarily detract from the beer but becomes difficult to ignore as it lasts long into the finish. As a Saison, this beer has some positive elements. It needs a bit more yeast complexity, specifically from a phenolic presence to put it up with the best examples of the style. Higher levels of attenuation would also improve drinkability – as it stands right now, this beer is a bit too sweet for the style. All that being said, this is a wonderful summer choice for someone looking for a fruit-forward flavor profile that boasts a bit more alcohol.