Spring in St. Louis is unpredictable. One day, it’s sunny and 75; the next, it’s gray and rainy—but one thing is certain: Spring is the season for lighter, lively beers. And when it comes to picking the perfect spring beer, it’s hard to beat the classic Belgian saison.
Saison—French for “season”—was originally brewed by Belgian farmers to quench their thirst after long days in the fields. Traditionally low in alcohol, crisp, and bone-dry, saisons are fermented warm with expressive yeast strains that create peppery, fruity, and floral notes. The result is a beer that feels rustic and elegant, refreshing, and complex. It’s bright and drinkable but has enough character to match unpredictable weather, patio hangs, or a ride down Grant’s Trail.
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Fresh Local Options
Whether you’re looking to stock your fridge or order something seasonal at the bar, here’s where to find some of the freshest, locally brewed saisons right now.
2nd Shift Brewing: Katy (5.4% ABV) is a foeder-fermented, Brett-driven farmhouse ale that blurs the line between saison and wild ale. Aged with Brettanomyces Lambicus, it’s dry, lightly tart, and bursting with subtle funk, floral notes, and soft citrus.
Mississippi Culture: For fans of mixed-culture saisons, this Staunton, Illinois, brewery is a must. Brewer Tracy Hutton specializes in oak-aged, wild-fermented farmhouse ales inspired by the Mississippi River Valley. One of the only breweries in the St. Louis area focused almost entirely on saisons and mixed fermentation, Mississippi Culture has quickly become a destination for lovers of tart, funky, and rustic beers. Current releases include Fuzzy Guitars (6.2% ABV), a beautifully crafted oak-aged saison brewed with local blackberries. Tart and fruity without overpowering the saison’s dry, rustic backbone; Untangle Your Head (4.9% ABV), a softly tart, oak-aged saison brewed with cranberries and local elderberries from Tupelo Farm & Garden; Dissolution Wave (4.6% ABV), a mixed-culture saison brewed in collaboration with Afterthought Brewing and dry-hopped with Saaz hops, resulting in a crisp, rustic, and balanced beer with subtle hop character; and Snake Pit Alley (6% ABV), a mixed-culture saison aged in oak for six months, brewed in collaboration with Perennial Artisan Ales. It’s funky, dry, and complex—everything a classic saison should be.
Perennial Artisan Ale: Saison de Lis (5% ABV) is a perennial spring favorite. The classic saison is brewed with chamomile flowers, adding a subtle floral aroma to the beer’s light, dry, citrusy base.
Pointe Labaddie Brewery: Saison Du Labaddie (7.1% ABV) is an unfiltered Belgian-style saison made with Hallertauer Mittlefrüh hops and brewed with just malt, hops, yeast, and water; it’s a classic saison—crisp and dry, with notes of clove, subtle spice, and fruity esters. Or try the Biere de Noel (8.3% ABV), a farmhouse ale with a richer, maltier profile that leans dark and smooth, with prominent malty sweetness and subtle complexity. And for those looking for something bolder this spring, the bourbon barrel-aged Cherry Biere de Noel (8.5% ABV) is a special-release farmhouse ale that’s aged 20 months in a locally sourced bourbon barrel with tart cherry juice added; the result is a smooth, malty beer with soft oak and whiskey notes, a subtle cherry touch, and a complex finish.
Side Project Brewing: A dry-hopped version of Side Project’s light-bodied saison, Le Saisonnier Blend (5% ABV) is soft and crisp with a delicate farmhouse character and an extra pop of hop aroma.
