Stillwater Artisanal Existent Review

Name: Stillwater Artisanal Existent
Style: Saison
ABV: 7.4%

When I picked up a couple of bottle from Stillwater Artisanal Ales a couple weeks back, I didn't exactly pay attention to the style which I was getting. So imagine my embarrassment when I got home and realized that I got two beers of the same style from the same brewery. Nevertheless, I shall proceed with having this.

Today I've got Existent, Stillwater's Dark Saison. I can deduce the name comes from the man on the label, who just so happens to be Frederich Nietzsche. He was also one of the leading contributors of the Existentialist philosophy movement (I knew I'd use what I learned in Freshman year Philosophy Class someday!)

Appearance - A very dark brown with a crimson tinge along the edges. It becomes completely crimson red when held up to the glass which gives it a surprisingly clear appearance. The head is less foamy here but the lacing retention is still excellent

Aroma - Picking up on some Belgian Yeasts & a potent chocolate maltiness in the front, followed by some roasted barley notes along with some dark fruitiness that reminds me of blackberries. This is paired with some floral hoppiness.

Taste - The chocolate malts & Belgian yeasts are the forerunners on the palate, but the blackberry and floral hoppiness follow up almost immediately. As for the aftertaste, I'm getting a mix of moderate roasted barley, mild floral hops and just a hint of Blackcurrant.

You know what? Between the two Saisons I've had from Stillwater, this is easily the better of the two. It's got a different yet vibrant flavor profile and the nose and taste are consistent with one another. I've had a couple different Dark Saisons before, but they didn't come close to what I have here in front of me. So if you're looking for a different type of Saison, this will hit the spot!

Stillwater Artisanal Existent - 9/10

Stillwater Artisanal Stateside Saison Review

Name: Stillwater Artisanal Stateside Saison
Style: Saison
ABV: 6.8%

Tonight I've got a beer from the classily named Stillwater Artisanal Ales based out of Baltimore, Maryland. It's a brand that I've seen on the shelves before and have heard about in the past but have never seemed to try it out. Thankfully that changes tonight!

I've got their Stateside Saison, and with it is a beer label that just screams Ed Hardy. I mean seriously, I half expect to see this style of logo on the t-shirt of a college frat boy rolling with his buds at a nightclub in downtown Los Angeles.

Appearance - Very hazy yellow color with a mild amount of visible carbonation. The head, while foamy during the initial pour, is on the thinner side with a filmy appearance and the lacing is quite abundant and has some excellent retention.

Aroma - Right off the bat, I'm picking up on some Belgian Yeast and clove notes. However, I'm also getting some mild passion fruit notes and floral hops in here, along with some pale maltiness. The fruitiness in particular seems to be more prevalent when I move away from the glass itself, but it could also be in my head.

Taste - Strong Belgian Yeasts and cloves on the front of the palate before following up with some surprisingly strong bitter hoppiness and light floral hoppiness. The malt profile teeters between pale and pilsner, and there is just a hint of earthy/grassiness here as well.

I think I would've liked this more if it had more of the fruity characteristics that I picked up on in the nose. However the flavor still holds up very well, and while it doesn't match up with what the nose leads you on to, it doesn't take away from the fact that this is a good beer. If this is available in your neck of the woods, I would say that this is worth giving a try.

Stillwater Artisanal Stateside Saison - 8.25/10