Press Release:

(Portland, ME) – Allagash Brewing Company, known for its dedication to brewing the best Belgian inspired beers in the world, is releasing their first year-round beer in 7 years, Allagash Saison.

“We’ve always taken our own path in crafting beers and our new Saison continues the tradition,” said Rob Tod. founder and brewer. “Allagash Saison is our interpretation of a classic Belgian style — a rustic, golden ale both traditional and distinctive.”

Saisons were originally brewed by farmworkers in the Wallonia region of Belgium. For hundreds of years, farmers would brew beer in the dormant winter months so that it was ready in the spring and through the summer to quench their thirst through a season of hard work.

“We used traditional Belgian ingredients like a true Saison yeast and rye,” said Tod, “and we combined it with our own twists, like using hop varieties not commonly found in Belgian beers. That gives it an incredibly drinkable profile with hints of tropical fruit & herbal notes and a dry finish.”

Allagash Saison is being released everywhere Allagash has distribution – 17 states and Washington D.C. – in 4 pack 12oz bottles, as well as draft, both kegs and logs.

“The most important question for us about any beer is: do we love it?” said Brewmaster Jason Perkins. “When we make a new beer, it’s led by the passions and tastes of everyone in the company.”

Like many Allagash releases, Allagash Saison started as part of the employee Pilot Beer Program. The Pilot Beer Program is where every Allagash employee can develop and brew a beer of their choice. Many of these beers go on to be brewed on the full-sized brewhouse for national release.

“Patrick (Chavanelle) brought me in a batch of his home brewed Rye Saison and I remember thinking, ‘wow, we might be on to something here,’” said Perkins. “That’s when we knew it was time to try it on our pilot system and give the entire team a chance to weigh in and keep improving the beer.”

From there, the entire company contributed in developing their Saison. The beer went through continued experimentation, tastings and feedback at company-wide meetings and multiple rounds of recipe revisions.

“We’ve been enjoying this beer for so many months around the brewery, we’re excited we finally get to share it with beer lovers everywhere,” said Perkins.

While there’s no question that Allagash Saison can be enjoyed on its own, the unique combination of assertive hops and dry finish is brewed to complement food.

“It’s a great pair with ethnic and spicy foods,” said Tod. “I love it with Chicken Tikka Masala.”

Tasting Notes & Facts

Fermented with a traditional saison yeast strain, Saison exhibits notes of spice and tropical fruit in the aroma. Citrus and a peppery spice dominate the flavor and make way for a pleasant malt character. Saison is full bodied with a remarkably dry finish.

Availability: Year Round in 4 pack 12oz bottles, 5.17 gal and 15.5 gal kegs

Sold in: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, Washington D.C.

ABV: 6.1%

Grains: 2 row, malted rye, oats and dark candy sugar

Hops: Tettnang, Bravo and Cascade

About Allagash Brewing Company

Allagash was founded by Rob Tod in 1995, and has grown from a one-man operation into one of the Top 50 Craft Breweries in U.S. (by sales volume) and a spot on Maine’s Best Places to Work list in 2013. Allagash brews Belgian inspired beers and is best known for its flagship beer, Allagash White. Allagash has won many national and international awards in its 19 years, and is viewed as a leader of innovative brewing techniques in the craft beer world. Being environmentally and socially responsible is a core value at Allagash, constantly working to lessen the environmental impact of their operations. Allagash distributes beer in 17 states and DC.

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