Here's a little-known fact: Missouri is one of America's leading alcohol-producing states. There are no state-wide open container laws and state law protects citizens against arrest for public intoxication. Heck, Missouri never even enacted statewide prohibition. The "Show-Me State" is a great place to live if you enjoy your booze. For fans of craft beer, an abundance of brew from Boulevard Brewing Company is icing on the cake.
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This week's featured beer is one of the most highly regarded brews in the Kansas City, Missouri brewery's arsenal. Part of Boulevard's limited "Smokestack Series" of beers, Saison-Brett is as complex and elegant as it is thirst-quenching. The beer is based on their popular Tank 7 saison, a year-round offering that replicates the traditional Belgian farmhouse style with a fruity, hoppy finish.
Saison-Brett takes that yeasty beer and, you guessed it, adds "brett" (brettanomyces, a wild yeast used in many sour beers). After being firmly dry-hopped, the beer is aged for a few months in the bottle with brettanomyces and other yeast strains. The finished product has a big, citrusy nose from the hops, a moderate bitterness, and distinctly earthy undertone from the brett. If you want more brett character, simply age the bottle for another 6-12 months. A rustic, grassy note brings to mind bales of hay stacked inside of a barn, and soft notes of ripe pear round out the flavor.
Boulevard Saison-Brett is available now in better beer stores around the Bay Area. While enjoying the beer, remember that we have open container and public intoxication laws here. What do you think this is, Missouri?
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