Saisons are one of my favorite beer styles – yeast powerhouses that can showcase a phenomenal range of flavors and complexity with some of the simplest recipes. Add to that wild yeasts and other flavor-producing critters, and the amount of flavor that can be packed into one glass is staggering. Seventh Son’s La Mort, a saison of unending flavor with a dry and drinkable delivery, is no exception.
On the nose, notes of spice (cracked pepper and faint clove), arrive atop a touch of grainy sweetness. Faint hints bubblegum create some additional complexity, but they remain subdued and disappear as fast as they arrive. Fruit rind and dusty earth dry things out, while a slight tang at the back of each breath showcases a bit of the funk that is to come. There is a hint of hops every now and then, with subdued spice and floral notes, but the saison yeast is on full display here – rustic and complex.
Across the palate, this beer begins dry and earthy, with a slight pepper-spice bitterness at the back. The pilsner malt steps forward on the tongue, grainy but restrained, with a touch of bread crust to create a pleasant malt backbone, without becoming too strong. Fruit notes of lemon peel and cherry flesh add some brightness, as does a subtle tang of the blended sour beer. Throughout the drink, there is a gentle vinous bite that helps to dry the beer out and add some of those rustic flavors. It also helps to boost the bitterness a bit, as it is a bit tannic, but not on the level of wine. Towards the end, notes of pear and bubblegum add additional complexity, before a slight grassy finish rounds it out.
La Mort is probably not for everyone. It’s not a juicy hop bomb. It’s a not a crazy-drinkable lager. It is huge on delicate layers of flavor that will require the entire bottle to decipher. Drink this with a friend, compare notes, have fun. Become lost within the complexity. You’ll thank yourself.
