Craft Beers

Saison: The Farmhouse Ale

The first time you have a Saison Belgian-style Saison Dupont beer, you might think you've died and gone to heaven. Then again, the author of this piece is partial to Belgian beer anyway and loves well crafted brewing. The point is to learn to recognize well crafted beer and know certain terminology that will help you buy the beer you crave after reading all about it.

The Farmhouse Ale tradition started centuries ago in the farm lands of Wallonia, Belgium. Saison, or Season in French, was made in the harvest season for field workers and was usually brewed in farmhouse kitchens. Most of these varieties generally had a 3.4 to 4.0 abv (alcohol percentage). Most current versions boast 5-8 abv or better. They also bore a hoppy flavor which also helped preserve these fine beers throughout the fall and into winter months.

Look for a Saison Dupont Ale and other saison style beers at Case-n-Keg and be pleasantly surprised at what you have been missing in good-tasting Belgian ales!

More About Brewing Styles

Here are a short video from Brooklyn Brewing, a supplier for home brewers, telling a bit about different styles of beer and how they arrive at their particular flavor. This is knowing the difference between Lager and Ales...

Locally Brewed Beer

Domestic craft brewing is alive and well in New England and New Hampshire in particular. Locations in Hooksett, Squam Lake area, Lincoln, North Conway and other less famous brewers are hard at work trying to get you to try their offerings.

In fact, craft brewers are so plentiful in New England, we are starting to get a reputation! In Maine, for instance, Shipyard and Allagash have a tremendous following and major brewers are starting to take notice. Have you seen some of the newest recipes from Michelob recently? They are competing for your taste buds and dollars.

One of the local favorites recently is from Squam Brewing in Holderness, NH. They specialize in 22 oz. craft beers with loads of flavor and freshness. A few of their cleaverly-named offerings to look for are Squam Golden IPA, Winter Wheat, Moat Mt Halcyou Steamer Stout, and Asquam Amber Ale.

Another local favorite is from Moat Mountain in North Conway, NH. Moat microbrews a variety of taste sensations that they offer in their eatery and sells to local pubs as well as canning and bottling for the general public's consumption. Iron Mike is new concoction that is wining local acclaim. They produce seasonal specialties such as Smoke House Porter and Mai Bock, as well as year-round offerings like Moat Brown and IPA... and people around White Birch here are taking notice.

White Birch Brewing from Hooksett, NH is bringing local crafting to our taste buds with selections such as Belgian Style Pale Ale, Belgian Dubbel, and Hooksett Ale. They also tempt us with one-off batch brewing to see what we think of their secret recipes. These micro-crafts are a real treat.

Another local favorite is from Tuckerman Brewery in Conway, NH offers the consumer a beer and a place to go to enjoy it. Their brew pub and eatery are a favorite stop along the way for skiers and summer travelers alike. Since their beer has hit the market, it has taken hold throughout New England and can be found as far south and west as Philadelphia. Make sure it is a selection you try before too many days pass.

Our last focus is on Woodstock Brewery in Lincoln, NH. They brew on premisise and have a wonderful eatery offering fine pub food creations. Woodstock distributes in 12 oz brown bottles keeping the freshness safe from UV light. Their Sampler 12 pack allowing you to try 5 different craft beers they serve year round. Their seasonal attractions are sought after by those who appreciate the creativity of their brew masters.

Take the time, look down our aisles at the many different varieties of craft beers and come back often. You can depend on the fact that there will always be new beer to try!