Got this one from the East Coast not too long ago:
Terrapin Poivre (pepper for you non-francophiles) PotionAppearance: Frothy head that develops into a one finger head as you pour, good head retention. Dark golden color.
Aroma: Belgian yeast sweatness (I always think of it as a slightly spiced banana bread smell) with herbal notes, subtle citrus zest, and an spice that I can't place. Not a hot spice, but also not giving that nose opening peppery smell.
Taste: Herbal and grassy notes with Belgian yeast sweetness. Some might want to call it funky, but you can tell it's an herbal note with bitterness from the dry hopping and not a funky wild farmhouse saison style yeast. Finishes with a saison sweetness and mild hoppy citrus zest and mild spice.
Score: 7/10Hopped saisons seem to be kind of an in thing right now. Most of the ones I've have are okay and somewhat unbalanced. This one isn't bad, but I don't think I'd go out of my way to have it. I do think it would pair well with something like a mushroom dish that has a nice savory earthiness to it. I think it really is a beer that should be paired with a meal and not so much drunk on its own.
Normally I like saisons at fridge temp. I think this one benefits from warming up a little. As it warms up, I feel like it becomes more balanced and more drinkable.