For the past seven years one man’s burning enthusiasm for craft beer has been producing six permanent solutions to blandness and boredom. Started in 2012, Arrowhead Brewing is Shawn Tegart’s vision for palate changing craft beer. On the northern tip of Invermere, Arrowhead Brewing delivers beers that span the classic categories at the same time it redefines them. Lager, Blonde Ale, Stout and IPA are joined by the seasonal arrival of the Farmer’s Daughter – a Belgian style saison with strong hops and palate teasing spices. Available straight from the source in bottles, cans and growlers the bounty of Arrowhead can now be carried home from specialty dealers across Canada. Belgian Saison generally combine fruit zest, spices and special yeasts for an earthy “farmhouse” style. The Farmer’s Daughter has a unique take on the style, challenging the classic taste. Serves well at 8°C and can cellar for a few months.
Pours a murky, aged honey amber with a frothy head of foam that quickly calms down to a thin, stable head.
A doughy malt stands on the top of the scent in this beer, followed up with dried spices - pepper and coriander. A touch of citrus zest reminiscent of oranges and a sharp herbal hops note plays out in the background.
The common Belgian saison leans heavily on the yeast for its flavour, but the Farmer’s Daughter trends more toward its malt. A strong sense of grain and the spices reaches out on the initial taste. Then the funky, sizzling quality of the yeast breaks the door down. The citrus zest and hops come in through the rubble and the whole party finishes off dry and slightly astringent. The medium body of the beer carries all this well, meaning each sip can reveal something interesting and different.
If you’ve never shoved a can of beer into a bird, it’s time for you to make it real. Beer-Can Chicken with a zesty salad will make friends with this Daughter in no time.
Charlevoix C'est Toujours L'été Quelque Part...
Saison Ale
Baie-Saint-Paul, QC
Retail: $8.99 Club: $6.99