hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Carnevale

Tap to rate

A moderately spicy nose of tropical fruit and toasted biscuit, with tangerine and apricot rounding out the citrus. Mildly sweet and light-bodied, this saison lets Brettanomyces show its deep flavour as the citrus fades with age. Brewed for Lent and Easter with Amarillo and Simcoe, it won Gold at the 2012 World Beer Cup. 8% ABV.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Gold · 2012
World Beer Cup
French- & Belgian-Style Saison
★Gold — World Beer Cup (French- & Belgian-Style Saison)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalspicy
citrusy
tropical
spicy
toasty
funky
orange
Aroma
A moderately spicy and inviting nose leads with tropical stone fruits—tangerine and apricot—alongside toasted biscuit and subtle Edelhopfen character from Amarillo and Simcoe.
also:peach,yeasty
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Carnevale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with each sip. Effervescence is lively yet refined, suggesting a well-carbonated beer with good structural integrity. The light body reads visually in the delicate foam architecture and luminous pour.

pale goldclearfine lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

A moderately spicy and inviting nose leads with tropical stone fruits—tangerine and apricot—alongside toasted biscuit and subtle Edelhopfen character from Amarillo and Simcoe. The saison yeast contributes a peppery edge and gentle funk, with Brett developing leather and earth undertones as the beer ages. Citrus notes remain prominent throughout, balancing spice and sweetness.

citrus-forwardtropical fruitpeppery spicetoasted grainsubtle funk

◐ Taste

Entry is mildly sweet and refreshingly light-bodied, allowing the hop-driven citrus and stone fruit to develop cleanly across the palate. Mid-palate brings gentle bitterness (28 IBU) and a warming spice from both yeast and hops, without aggression. Brettanomyces adds complexity and a dry, slightly funky character that evolves with time, accentuating orange and peach while the initial sweetness recedes.

bright citruspeachydry spicelow bitternessfunky complexity

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately long, fading from citrus into a dry, slightly earthy aftertaste. Brett-derived funk lingers subtly without overwhelming, leaving the palate crisp and balanced.

dry aftertasteearthy fade
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
87
Appearance
85
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Carnevale

More from The Lost Abbey

20th Anniversary Duck Duck Kriek
A Beer With No Name
A Beer With No Name
American IPA
7.2%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Angel's Share
Angel's Share
American Strong Ale
12.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Avant Gourde
Avant Gourde
Pumpkin Ale
6%·Mild
Find matches →
Bat out of Hell
Bat out of Hell
Imperial Stout
13.5%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Coffee Brown Ale
Coffee Brown Ale
Brown Ale
5.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Deliverance
Deliverance
Imperial Stout
13.5%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Devil went down to Georgia
Devil went down to Georgia
American Strong Ale
12.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

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 citrusy, tropical, light character as Carnevale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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