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Fernson Farmhouse Ale

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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
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Gold · 2018
World Beer Cup 2018
★Gold — World Beer Cup 2018
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruityspicyyeasty
fruity
spicy
yeasty
floral
herbal
bubblegum
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced fruity esters—subtle bubblegum notes alongside stone fruit—interwoven with gentle spicy phenols characteristic of the saison yeast.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

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
Serve at 6–9°C

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

Pint glass

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Fernson Farmhouse Ale

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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.

FEATURED IN

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