Primitivo Saison
Brewery: Whitestone Brewery
Style: Wild Specialty Beer (28C)
Package: 750ml Bottle
Purchased: February 2019, Whichcraft
Packaged Date: N/A
Consumed Date: 5/4/19
Details from the Brewer
ABV: 7%
IBU: 22
Saison aged in local red wine barrels with hibiscus flowers and red rose buds and petals.
Review
Aroma – 8/12
A slight sweetness hops out of the glass first, and is joined by a moderate floral note. Hints of strawberry and raspberry are present. A noticeable acidity is also present, with a bit of sharpness. Mild notes of oak are also present. No hop character, with a faint alcohol warmth.
Appearance – 2/3
Pours a light amber liquid with a distinct reddish hue. A thin head is composed of ivory small bubbles. It fades quickly with below average retention. Clarity is decent with a noticeable chill haze.
Flavor – 12/20
A moderate acidity strikes the tongue, and is joined by a delicate floral character. A faint sweetness compliments the depth of floral character. The hibiscus is present without being overpowering. Towards the midtaste, the floral notes fade as the acidity develops. A slight musty funk is present with a bit of peppery spice. This blends into a low oaky flavor in the finish. Some minerality is present in the aftertaste, along with some floral notes. Low bitterness and hop character.
Mouthfeel – 4/5
A moderate high carbonation prickles the sides of the mouth. Medium bodied throughout the taste. Slight astringency on the finish. A noticeable alcohol heat warms the throat.
Overall Impression – 6/10
This is an interesting wild saison. The acidity is restrained, yet a bit one noted. The usage of hibiscus and rose is noticable, but does a good job not overpowering the beer. The base saison fermentation character is a bit more subdued than I would like. Increasing that would help provide more dimensions to the beer.
Rating – 32/50
This beer does a great job coming off as a rose beer hybrid. It’s the first sour that I’ve had from Whitestone, and I enjoyed it. I think there’s some room for improvement, but we’ll see where the future takes their program. I feel like there is an extra “and” in their description. No points off for that though.
