THE DRINK NATION IS A FREE RESOURCE FOR FINDING EVERYTHING AWESOME ABOUT DRINKING IN YOUR LOCATION

Beer Review: Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery's Session Saison

Drinks like a gentle hill
by Nathan Solheim on Aug 18, 2014 in Beer

A very friendly couple from the British Isles were relaxing on a warm sunny day at Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery’s outdoor seating area waxing philosophical about American craft beer. Their existential question was simple: Why is American beer so strong? It's a fact that lots of craft beers manage to blow one's face off with an avalanche of flavors or alcohol. Some of these beers win awards or earn cult status. Some are simply undrinkable. Some make it an early night. The couple’s question is perfectly legitimate.

Fortunately, Jagged Mountain's many taps offered some variety—including a top seller called Session Saison that is equidistant between the poles flavorful craft beer and watery yellow fizzy.

While Jagged Mountain’s goal is to brew beers as big as Colorado's mountains, Session Saison is more of a foothill. A saison—or Belgian farmhouse ale—was developed for consumption by field workers on Belgian farms during hot summer months. Yet Session Saison betrays its heritage with a fairly mild character. Though there are hints of citrus on its nose, those scents don't translate to the beer's flavor. True-to-style saisons are supposed of have a more pronounced fruit character. If anything, there are very faint flavors of toffee or malt in this beer. Session Saison isn’t overly bitter, though there’s a bit of dankness involved.

At 4.9 percent ABV, Session Saison is a farmhouse ale that can be consumed over long drinking sessions. Its finish is clean, it's light on the palate and its straw-coloration looks refreshing in its snifter. It's dead summer in Denver, which means temps in the 90s. Therefore, Session Saison does have some drinkability given the right season.

Jagged Mountain has plenty of other beers that are bigger and bolder than Session Saison. But for people who quite rightly question why American beer is so strong, Session Saison provides at least one example of brew made in the United States isn’t so strong.

 


Tags: Beer
Recent Articles

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

If you're a frequent Negroni drinker, always order Wild Turkey Bourbon in your old fashioneds, or prefer your ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 9, 2020
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 15, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close