Friends, let me tell you about Sabine. I’m coming out right here and admitting before all the world I’m in love with her. You’re probably wondering how my wife, the beauteous Barbara Staradumsky, is going to react to that, but in point of fact, she was the one who turned me on to Sabine. If you haven’t guessed by now, Sabine is a beer, Reformation Sabine French Saison, an Adventure Series release from this Woodstock, Georgia brewer.

Reformation is only about ten miles from me, and my wife was reading the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News when she called me over to tell me about Sabine. This was early march, Sabine was a recent release but really, beer was not something you read a lot about in our local paper. It sounded delicious. It sounded tasty. And aww heck, I just love beer folks.

The plan was to hit The Reformation brewery on a fine Sunday to try it at the source, but before I had the chance, my local Taco Mac here in Canton tapped it. So off I went to try it. Saison, of course, is a popular style amongst beer geeks these days, but is less well known to occasional craft beer drinkers. Reformation offers the classic definition:

Saison is a French word meaning “season.” Historically brewed to quench the thirst of farmhands, the style originated in the French speaking areas of Belgium.

About Sabine in particular they say:

SABINE is a French Saison with an effervescent spirit and quiet strength who owes her old world, white wine character to French Yeast. Huell Melon hops lend notes of cantaloupe & orange blossom. Mild white pepper shines through on the finish…..A dry, floral humor is balanced with a quirky, yet classic temperament, illuminating a history that draws upon French, German, and Belgian influences.

Share a moment of authenticity with SABINE on draft while she lasts.

On draft, sadly, seems to be the only way to drink Sabine. No worries, though, I’ll drink it that way even if I would love to take some cans or bottles home. Reformation beers are everywhere in Canton, in the package stores, at Taco Mac and the Snug Tavern downtown, at Stout’s growlers, in grocery and department stores and even gas stations. I’ll be on the lookout at all to find my love, Sabine, again.

Reformation Sabine French Saison has an alcohol content of 5.1% and I paid $6 for a full 20-ounce mug of this beautiful beer, which was fortunate because I didn’t want it to end as I sipped.

My mug of Reformation Sabine French Saison arrived a dark straw color with a light quickly fading head and spicy black and white pepper, and hints of cantaloupe in the nose. Taking a sip, I get fresh crisp biscuit malt and tart wheat up front, more of the pepper, fresh fruity melon, and a dry vinous finish.

With all that flavor going on, Sabine is not overpowering, all the flavors are delicate and play wonderfully off one another. Sabine is as refreshing as a sunny spring day, especially welcome in this very cold March weather we’ve been having.

Reformation Sabine French Saison is one of the best beers I’ve had all year (and I’ve had a lot, hey, I’m a brew guru). If you don’t get Reformation beers where you live, move.

Update 4/14/2017: More Sabine! This time a 32-ounce crowler from Stout's. It's just so wonderful, two pints of pure bliss on a leisurely Friday night. Not bad for $9.75, that.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

 

 



Home