Saisons always have the potential to be an outlet of great creativity in the craft beer world. Full of fruits, yeasts, and spices, the various combinations of flavors and components are endless. Firmly seated in that belief is Seventh Son, arriving with their Prime Swarm Honey Saison, a late Summer brew that combines three different strains of yeast, Citra hops, and of course, honey. This beer is already complex, even before the cap is popped, and with a delivery in the form of a massive 750ml bottle, there is high potential for an epic drinking experience. Luckily, the best way to find out is to drink it.
On the nose, this brew begins tart and mildly earthy, as notes of lemon juice, sour apple, and hoppy passion fruit arrive simultaneously. The Citra hops (one of the most assertive hops out there) contribute an almost buttery quality as the prickly tropical essences combine with the dry tartness of traditional saison-style apples and mild citrus. As each breath continues, a mild sweetness arrives from the sides, subdued by the tartness, but noticeable as the gentle honey pushes its way through. The aroma concludes with notes of fresh-cut grass and a touch of floral spice from the hops. All of this olfactory complexity takes place within a honey-gold elixir, topped with a fluffy white head.
The initial flavors across the tongue arrive as crisp hay and dried leaves. Immediately following are hints of tart apples and oranges. The first few drinks are, unfortunately, a bit thin, slipping from the tongue before most of the available flavors can find their positions. But, as this beer warms up slightly, everything centers and achieves a tasty cohesiveness. At this point, the Citra vibe has arrived in force, contributing those crisp tropical essences of passion fruit, mango, and citrus peel. A faint cracker-malt vibe arrives as well, slipping to the bottom and countering the fruit profile. The complexity continues as gentle banana esters and lemon notes show up at the sides, while the smallest hints of sticky sweetness swirl beneath the rest of the flavors. Each drink finishes fairly quickly, as the hoppy bitterness and dry crispness draws the beer from the tongue after a maelstrom of flavors.
The activity of this beer is off the charts, making it somewhat of an acquired taste. It’s definitely not a beer for everyone. But, it holds true to the saison style – crisp fruit and dry yeast esters paired with an earthy spiciness. This beer’s twist arrives from its Citra dry-hopping and fleeting honey sweetness, creating a mild tropical counterpart to the usual farmhouse vibes. Each taste is quick, full of flavor, and ever-changing, with each drink offering a different experience from the last. Don’t let this beer’s light body fool you – it’s intensely full of complexity and flavor once it finds its rhythm, and makes for quite the tasty refreshment. Be sure to let it warm up a bit before enjoying – this will pull the flavors out to their full capacities, and you’d never want anything less than the very best.
