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Fernson Farmhouse Ale

Fernson Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Saison · One of 65 Saisons in hopIQ

Won gold at the 2018 World Beer Cup — the homebrewing recipe Fernholz could never improve upon. A classic saison with spicy fruity yeast character, dry finish and elegant carbonation. The beer that put South Dakota on the national craft beer map.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
SRM
golden7
See all Saison alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2018
World Beer Cup 2018
Gold — World Beer Cup 2018
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Saison.
Hop character
floral
herbal
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
yeasty
bubblegum
Distinctive notes
spicy

FEATURED IN

#1 of 50The Best American Farmhouse AlesFeatured inThe Best American Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fernson Farmhouse Ale

Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is notably refined—effervescent without aggression, creating a consistent bead that speaks to careful conditioning and serving technique.

pale goldencrisp white headelegant carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced fruity esters—subtle bubblegum notes alongside stone fruit—interwoven with gentle spicy phenols characteristic of the saison yeast. A whisper of herbal and floral complexity underlies the fermentation character, with no harsh sulfur or oxidation.

fruity estersspicy yeastfloral undertones

Taste

Entry is clean and crisp, revealing a dry palate with vibrant fruit and spice building through the mid-range. The 28 IBUs contribute a gentle, balancing bitterness rather than assertive bite; the light body allows the yeast-driven flavors to remain in focus without heaviness or cloying sweetness.

dry, fruityrestrained bitternesslight-bodied

Finish

The finish is refreshing and lingering, with residual spice and fruit fading cleanly into a crisp, dry aftertaste. No astringency or woody notes intrude; the overall impression is elegant and highly drinkable.

dry finishrefreshingclean aftertaste
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
87
Appearance
87
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Fernson Farmhouse Ale

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–12°C. Saison is refreshing but complex — cold works, but slightly warmer shows its farmhouse character.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink within a year. Farmhouse character is liveliest when the beer is relatively young.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Fernson Farmhouse Ale

About Saison

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Saison?

Saisons are Belgian farmhouse ales with 5–8% ABV and IBU 20–35. Spicy, fruity yeast — pepper, citrus, hay — with high carbonation and a dry refreshing finish.

Finding a similar Saison

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, spicy, dry character as Fernson Farmhouse Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Saisons in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Saison beers in hopIQ →New to Saison? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →