a grill companion

Despite the more subdued label, the shape of the bottle ought to catch a beer browser's eye.  The the name of the beer gets your attention: Smoked Saison.  Doesn't that make you wonder?  Anarchy Brew insists on its website that all its beers are flavorful and inspired, naming kiwi and lime as possible ingredients.  Beer purists just might consider that anarchy, if not blasphemy.

There's a definite whiff of bacony smoke from the bottle when the cap comes off, although you have to get down into it a little.  The color is a little surprising, being a pilsner-like clear yellow, with pristine white head; I was expecting something a little darker, and smokier.  The taste is curious, but certainly has elements of smoke and saison.  I think the saison spiciness is felt more on the tongue, while the smoke comes more from the smell, but each component is identifiable in a small mouthful.  It's much less flowery than straight saisons, less "perfume" as some would say, and the flavor gets more blended over time.  The smoke stays noticeable, but the saison spice dies back.  It seems like a summer rauchbier, one that would go nicely with a barbecue on a hot afternoon.  If I find the kiwi lime IPA, I might just think it's a good time to blaspheme away.

Supplier: Cervezorama
Price: €3.25