Coburg's brewhouse in the back of the Post Office Hotel might be a small one but head brewer Aled Evans isn’t afraid to create some quite grand beers on the 200 litre kit. The brewery’s Cognac Barrel-Aged Imperial Saison is one such beer, with the 500ml bottle and golden wax-dipped top suggesting it’s a beer worth sharing.
It’s part of the Brewpub Barrel Series which has previously included an Imperial Stout that was also aged in Cognac barrels. While the imperial saison isn't as big in terms of ABV, the 7.5 percent saison does provide a warming mix of flavours. To begin with, though, it's quite dry while also light-bodied and highly effervescent, before rich and slightly toffee-like undertones from the time spent in barrels come to the fore. Alongside those boozier notes, you'll pick up classic estery elements from the saison yeast strain: cloves, spice and white pepper swirl through the beer and only become more apparent as it warms.
Will Ziebell
Published March 23, 2022 2022-03-23 00:00:00