Brasserie Dieu du Ciel! - Saison St-Louis

Saison St-Louis is inspired by the beers brewed in south-west Belgium. The term Saison refers to a family of beers rather than a specific style. In the past, this beer was brewed on farms, where there was often a brewery for the needs of the house and workers. These breweries produced Saisons during the winter to be consumed in the summer, when the hot weather prevented brewing. In order to preserve them for a few months, these beers were stronger in alcohol and/or hoppier than everyday beers. The highly artisanal nature of these beers meant that the recipes varied enormously from one brewery to another. The grains used depended on what was available on the farm at the time: barley, wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat or spelt. Malt-drying methods were more archaic in those days, so Saisons were also darker than they are today, when they have evolved into a blond colour. Spices were used at the brewer's discretion, but always in moderation, never to overpower the flavour. It was a top-fermented beer, often fermented with a mixed leaven comprising different strains of yeast and lactic ferments. As brewing methods and knowledge of microbiology evolved, this lactic character gradually faded.