[bigchicken]

So big chicken, whereabouts do you reside, I 'm in the western side of the state.

I recently moved to the big city of Lincoln.

Speaking as a fellow Nebraskan, Tank 7 and Funkwerks are the 2 best commercial saisons inside the state borders, IMHO. Others would be Goose Island Sofie, Sierra Nevada Ovila, and Hennepin.  I don't particulary care for the DuPont 'skunk' but worth a try if you have never had it.

Keep the grist simple and spices small.  The spice should come more from the yeast.  Good luck.

I just tried a bottle of DuPont in the green bottle. Definitely had some skunk in there. I'm really liking the Tank 7. I'm still working on a recipe, but I'm taking your advice of letting the yeast work its spicy magic.

[Jarhno]

If you can get a fresh, unskunked Saison DuPont, that's probably the gold standard. Boulevard Tank 7 is a damn good example as well. I know Ommegang markets Hennepin as a Saison, but they use their house yeast strain as opposed to a true saison strain, so it ends up tasting more like a Belgian Golden to me.

+1 to all of this.

+10. These guys know what they're talking about.

[kylekohlmorgen]

The iO Saison from the Jolly Pumpkin DESTROYS.  I'll do unforgivable things to get my hands on that beer.

Like trade some west coast goodies for it? 

Its normally available at my local better bottle shop. I'll have to pick on up (along with some Dark Dawn)!

[kylekohlmorgen]

Lots of solid samples out there. Saison dupont is prime. Prairie brewing, Stillwater brewing, and Upright brewing all do solid Saisons.

Personally, I don't consider Hennepin a true Saison. Tank 7 is certain (in my opinion) the best American Saison. For Saisons with character and additions, it's hard to beat Stillwater. Their cellar door is incredible.

I REALLY enjoy Upright's stuff.

I picked up a single of Stillwater's Stateside and it was ROUGH - high alcohols, phenolics, all-in-all poor fermentation. Haven't tried Cellar Door...

[redbeerman]

Lots of solid samples out there. Saison dupont is prime. Prairie brewing, Stillwater brewing, and Upright brewing all do solid Saisons.

Personally, I don't consider Hennepin a true Saison. Tank 7 is certain (in my opinion) the best American Saison. For Saisons with character and additions, it's hard to beat Stillwater. Their cellar door is incredible.

I REALLY enjoy Upright's stuff.

I picked up a single of Stillwater's Stateside and it was ROUGH - high alcohols, phenolics, all-in-all poor fermentation. Haven't tried Cellar Door...

I have had Stateside and it was pretty good.  It's a local beer for me though.  I think the bottle you got was mishandled, Kyle, not poorly fermented.  Cellar Door is very good as well.  For me Dupont on tap IS the gold standard.  I do like JPs offerings a lot too.

[andyi]

I just had a Magic Hat Séance dark saison.  Didn't know what to expect but it hits all the basics on the BJCP guidelines with the additional  touch of roastiness.  At 4.5% it drinks easy.

+1 on the Stillwater. Great beers.

[kylekohlmorgen]

^ Definitely enough positive feedback to try more from Stillwater.

Every once in awhile - you just get a bad bottle!

[narvin]

Stillwater's beers are also made in many different places.  The year-round beers just switched to a new contract brewery in Connecticut, so who knows if that changed anything.  Special releases are still made either in Baltimore or at a brewery where he's gypsy-ing.

[etbrew]

I agree with recomendations for Stillwater and I love Tank 7 and Dupont.  I recently had a dry hopped version of the Dupont (I can't remember what it was called) and it was awsome. 

I don't know if you can get it your area but Mystic Brewery makes some killer Saisons.  They are in I believe Chelsea MA.  I have tried evey one of their beers I could get my hands on a loved them all.

[jeffy]

I agree with recomendations for Stillwater and I love Tank 7 and Dupont.  I recently had a dry hopped version of the Dupont (I can't remember what it was called) and it was awsome. 

I've had this on tap a couple times at my "local" and really enjoy it.  I think they call in "Dry Hopped Saison Du Pont."  At least that's what the chalk board said.

[snowtiger87]

I think Funkwerks out of Ft Collins just made it into Nebraska. Their regular Saison got a gold at the GABF last year - and they won small brewery of the year.

[AmandaK]

I think Funkwerks out of Ft Collins just made it into Nebraska. Their regular Saison got a gold at the GABF last year - and they won small brewery of the year.

You are correct sir. I'm going to start having my sister run me some FW across the state line when she moves up there.

FWIW, Tank 7 is still the ultimate saison for me.

[reverseapachemaster]

I'd be very happy if Funkwerks began distribution in Texas, even if it was just their standard saison.

[bigchicken]

I think Funkwerks out of Ft Collins just made it into Nebraska. Their regular Saison got a gold at the GABF last year - and they won small brewery of the year.

You are correct sir. I'm going to start having my sister run me some FW across the state line when she moves up there.

FWIW, Tank 7 is still the ultimate saison for me.

Looks like I'll be making another trip to the store to try to find the Funkwerks. I did get to try a Saison fermented in a gin barrel at Upstream Brewery recently. It wasn't great, but not bad either. So far Tank 7 is the one I'm liking the best.

[1vertical]

Finally got to try FunkWerks.  It is for sure worth a visit if you get the chance.
The Saison was so nice flavorful and clean...if that is a word you can use with saision.
Had the bbl aged quad and it stood out as a great beer also.  I liked the strong belgian golden
and the apricot saison as well.   Had to drive so had to stop tasting.