With this Post, wanted to get back to brewing, I was on a 90 day dry streak, just wanted to do that instead of like a dry January, but once I got to day 55 / I got so bored, and I came to the conclusion that 55 days was almost 2 months and that’s twice as good of a break that most people take, so with that reasoning logic, its time to brew another beer!
I will be brewing on my picobrew Z Pro series automatic brewing machine.
Let’s explore the History of this drink along with a Recipe that I have in mind.
Saison, derived from the French word for “season,” is a pale ale known for its dry, fruity, and spicy profile. Historically, it originated in the Wallonia region of Belgium during the 18th century as a farmhouse ale brewed by farmers in winter and consumed by seasonal workers (“saisonniers”) during summer agricultural work. Early saisons were low in alcohol (3-4% ABV) to allow workers to drink them throughout the day without significant intoxication[1][4][7].
The style evolved over time, with modern saisons featuring higher alcohol levels (typically 6-8% ABV) and a broader range of ingredients. Traditional recipes utilized local grains like barley, wheat, and spelt, along with hops for preservation. The beer was often barrel-aged, contributing to its effervescence and complex flavors[1][4]. In the late 20th century, American craft brewers popularized saisons globally as “farmhouse ales,” emphasizing their rustic and artisanal qualities[1][7].
Saisons are characterized by their high carbonation, dry finish, and versatility in flavor profiles, often influenced by Belgian yeast strains that impart fruity and spicy notes. They remain a cherished style among beer enthusiasts for their refreshing qualities and historical significance[4][7].
Best All-Grain Raspberry Saison Recipe (5-Gallon Batch)
Base Recipe
This recipe combines the classic saison profile with raspberries for a balanced fruit presence that complements rather than overwhelms the beer.
Batch Size: 5 gallons
Brewhouse Efficiency: 72%
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.008
IBUs: 20
ABV: ~6.1%
Ingredients
Malt/Grain Bill:
- 8 lbs Pilsner malt
- 1 lb Vienna malt
- 8 oz Wheat malt
- 2 oz Caramunich malt
Hops Schedule:
- 1 oz Fuggle (5% AA) at 30 minutes
- 1 oz Styrian Goldings (5.5% AA) at 10 minutes
Yeast:
- Wyeast 3724 Belgian Saison
Adjuncts:
- 3 lbs fresh or frozen raspberries (added post-fermentation)
Directions
- Mash: Mill grains and mash at 150°F (65°C) for 60 minutes using 3.5 gallons of strike water.
- Sparge: Sparge with 3.1 gallons of water to collect approximately 6 gallons of wort.
- Boil: Boil for 75 minutes, adding hops according to the schedule.
- Fermentation: Chill wort to ~68°F (20°C), pitch yeast, and ferment at 69°F for six days. Raise temperature to 72°F for an additional four days.
- Fruit Addition: After fermentation is complete, sanitize raspberries and add them to the fermenter in a mesh bag to minimize sediment. Allow raspberries to infuse for five days.
- Packaging: Cold crash to improve clarity before bottling or kegging. Carbonate to ~2.5 volumes of CO2.
Notes
- Adjust raspberry quantity based on desired intensity; use less for subtle fruit notes or more for pronounced raspberry flavor.
- Ensure raspberries are sanitized to prevent contamination.
This recipe balances the saison’s dry and spicy character with a fresh raspberry aroma and flavor without overpowering the base beer[3][5][8].
Sources
[1] Saison – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saison
[2] Brü It Yourself | Double Trouble Raspberry Hibiscus Saison https://brulosophy.com/2022/01/06/bru-it-yourself-double-trouble-raspberry-hibiscus-saison/
[3] The Classic Saison Recipe | Craft Beer & Brewing https://beerandbrewing.com/the-classic-saison-recipe/
[4] Saison: The Complex and Flavorful Belgian Beer Style https://beerconnoisseur.com/beer-styles/saison
[5] Fruit Beer – Raspberry Saison | Homebrew Talk https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/raspberry-saison.579881/
[6] [PDF] 2014 Spring Newsletter and Catalog https://www.gencowinemakers.com/docs/2014BeerWEB.pdf
[7] Saison brewing tips and history insights from Printer’s Ale Mfg. https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/saison-brewing-tips-and-history-insights-from-printers-ales-josh-watterson/
[8] Raspberry Saison Beer Recipe | BIAB Saison by NakuAnkka https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/1371260/raspberry-saison
[9] General 1 – Elkton Brewing Co. https://www.elktonbrewing.com/general-1