Iwami Saison is a 4.5% saison from Iwami Bakushu, based in Shimane, Japan. It’s part of their all year round range and at the time of writing, can be found in bottles only. It’s brewed with locally sourced rice from Hameda city, yuzu from Masuda city, and German Hallertau hops as well.
Iwami Saison Aroma and Taste
Iwami Saison poured out a hazy golden brown colour with a large frothy white head on top. For a saison, it had a peculiar rice and yuzu aroma, but then we know why that is looking at the ingredients. It didn’t have an off putting aroma but it was certainly different from your usual Belgian saison yeasty funky aroma really.
The body was dry – so dry that I could feel the moisture leaving my mouth as I drank Iwami Saison. The yuzu and rice flavours were right at the front of the flavours and lingered throughout. However, the yeast just didn’t sit right in the beer. Perhaps they had use some American strain rather than your traditional Belgian one – the phenolics were missing.
Iwami Saison The Bottom Line
Change the yeast and Iwami Saison could turn out well. As of now, it’s just not good enough to warrant a purchase.
Where to Buy Iwami Saison
Iwami Saison can be bought online at the following places:
