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Le Merle

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Exotic tropical fruit aromas rise from abundant hops and a Belgian yeast strain in this pale, rustic saison, straw in color, 7.5% ABV and 26 IBU. The brewing traditions of Flanders inspired it. Le Merle, the Blackbird, honors Merle, wife of co-founder Mark Ruedrich, for all she has contributed since the brewery's founding. Gold at the 2021 European Beer Star.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter26 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Gold · 2021
European Beer Star
New-Style Saison
★Gold — European Beer Star (New-Style Saison)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalfruityhoppy
tropical
fruity
hoppy
yeasty
spicy
Aroma
The nose is immediately dominated by exotic tropical fruit character—mango, passion fruit, and citrus notes emerge from the interplay of abundant hops and the Belgian yeast strain.
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Le Merle

◎ Appearance

Le Merle presents a pale straw color with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is evident and lively, creating a bright, inviting visual presence that reflects the beer's crisp character.

pale strawclearfine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose is immediately dominated by exotic tropical fruit character—mango, passion fruit, and citrus notes emerge from the interplay of abundant hops and the Belgian yeast strain. A subtle spiciness and herbal undertone from the Edelhopfen rounds out the aromatic profile, with gentle yeasty complexity adding depth.

tropical fruitBelgian yeastherbal hopsspicy undertone

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a bright tropical fruit entry that carries through to mid-palate, balanced by restrained bitterness and a clean, dry framework. The spicy, peppery notes from fermentation integrate seamlessly with the hoppy character, creating a complex yet refreshing drinking experience without heaviness.

tropicaldryhoppypeppery spice

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and moderately dry, with tropical and herbal notes lingering cleanly on the palate. A subtle hop bite fades into a refreshing aftertaste that encourages another sip.

crispdry finishlingering hop
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Le Merle

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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 tropical, fruity, hoppy character as Le Merle will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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