Spring is upon us! The time of dark, mysterious stouts, porters and winter ales has given way to lighter bodied, bright flavored spring brews. Orange County, CA’s The Bruery (a play on the last name of owner Patrick Rue) has been creating uniquely flavored, bottle conditioned ales for around five years. The 15-barrel brewhouse recently released their spring seasonal, Saison de Lente, a crisp farmhouse style ale, bottle-conditioned with Brettanomyces yeast. This complex, light bodied beer is available between the months of March and May.

As with each beer produced by The Bruery, Saison de Lente is offered in a 750-ml. bottle with colorful labeling in the shape of a family crest. Poured into a tumbler glass, the golden liquid is well carbonated, with a nice white head. Taking a deep whiff of the beer as it settles in the glass, the nose senses a fresh, grassy scent sprinkled with lemon and accompanied by a substantial amount of bready yeast characteristics. Behind this foundation a hint of funk provided by the Brettanomyces sets a rustic tone.

The taste is crisp and refreshing, but still maintains a level of complexity and layering of flavor that invites you to savor each sip. Saison de Lente maintains a nice level of carbonation throughout the glass and has a dry crisp finish that leaves just a slightly bitter aftertaste. With its reasonable 6.5% abv, this saison is flavorful brew fit to pair with a nice springtime picnic outside.

The Bruery has a diverse roster of year-round beers that are also worth searching out and trying. Saison de Lente is a delicious take on the classic farmhouse style and perfect for the upcoming warm weather festivities. Additionally, because this beer is bottle conditioned, it is a perfect candidate for cellaring to allow flavors to develop complexity over time.