Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett is a 6% saison from Tamamura Honten, based in Nagano. It’s part of their Yamabushi range of beers that involving taking a saison base and infusing it with different adjuncts, in this case Brettanomyces, hence the Brett part of the name. Brettanomyces are a kind of yeast used in the process of fermentation, and brewers may also add lactic acid as well to impart some sourness into the beer. Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett can be found in bottles throughout the year, though we’re yet to see it on tap anyway besides Shinshu Osake Mura, in Shimbashi, Tokyo.
Sour and earthy.
Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett Aroma and Taste
Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett poured out a deep golden amber colour with a large frothy white head on top, that collapsed in on itself, leaving a faint oily ring on top of the beer. The initial aroma was of some sour grapes, with the funk of the Brett coming through, producing an earthy, metallic-like aroma to it. The saison base was just about noticeable, with a tad bit of Belgian funk coming through right at the end of the sniffing.
The body to Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett was incredibly dry – reminding me a cold, crisp champagne – though the sourness came through to dispel any notion of grapes. The funky Belgian flavour came through with hints of tropical berries and flavours, though disappointingly, it never really got going. The flavours never really came into balance with one another and after a while, Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett became, for want of a better word, samey and boring. I couldn’t shake the earthy, metallic flavour either from the aftertaste either. A shame really after the other beers in the series.
Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett The Bottom Line
Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett started off well but ended being quite average in the end. Try one of the other Yamabushi beers instead.
Where to Buy Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett
Tamamura Honten Yamabushi Saison Brett can be bought online at the following places:
