Hello everyone.  For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying the Brewer’s Reserve Limited Release Zaison produced by Brewery Vivant located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Thanks, again, to Mr. Liquid Bread (Chris Phillips) for sending me some of these hard to find brews.

I couldn’t find any information regarding this beverage on their website, breweryvivant.com, so I’m just going to pour this thing and see how it is.

Let’s drink.

This beer comes in a 16 oz. can and it has an ABV of 9.0%.

It poured a quite cloudy, honey/golden/orange color.  A barely off white head that was (surprisingly) kind of creamy, soft and smooth.  The size was well to do, the retention was sufficient and the lacing was suitable.  Not a bad looking beer right here at all.

The nose seemed to be a touch light.  I was able to pick up a subtle orange citrus with a slight white wine characteristic.  It was bready, yeasty and kind of musty, yet only a very negligible amount of funk was found as well as a modest tone of spicy pepper.  I was detecting some other type of fragrance that I couldn’t quite pinpoint.  All in all, a very nice aroma.  Nothing overbearing or off putting, however sturdy and decent.

The taste released savors of orange and tangerine citrus.  I swear I thought I was even detected some very remote touches of oak or wood.  The peppery spice came forth a touch more in the taste than it did in the nose.  Still not much funk, but the bready and yeasty flavors held tight.  Even with the noticeable citrus the bitterness was very, very low.  Little to no alcohol was tasted either.   

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Dry, crisp, snappy with a bit of warmth mostly from the pepper I’m guessing.  A very lively carbonation, which helped the palate retain some of the flavor for a good long while.

In my opinion, this is a very solid beer.  Apparently, pretty rare too.  It has a super drinkability and it definitely would be a great Summer beer.  I don’t think it quite matches up to some of the other Saison style brews that I’ve had in the past.  It just didn’t seem to have the “oomph”, however this beer would be exceptional for someone interested in trying the style.  It’s not going to completely obliterate the senses like some of the Belgian offerings may.  And that’s not a bad thing.  So, if you guys happen to be able to grab a can of the Brewery Vivant Brewer’s Reserve Zaison, pick it up and give it a try.  I’d love to hear your opinion.

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.  I really appreciate it.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  3.75 out of 5
Grade:  B