Unibroue Saison 13 4Pk

Unibroue Saison 13 4Pk is a dry-hopped, bottle-conditioned Belgian-style saison ale brewed at 6.1% ABV, sold as a four-pack. A collaboration between Quebec's Unibroue brewery and heavy metal band Megadeth, this saison scored 89 points from Tastings.com and draws its name from the band's album TH1RT3EN, with thirteen carefully selected ingredients shaping its character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.1%  |  Origin: Chambly, Quebec, Canada  |  Style: Dry-Hopped Belgian Saison  |  Brewery: Unibroue

Production & Heritage

Unibroue, founded in 1990 in Chambly, Quebec, built its reputation on Belgian-inspired ales brewed in the Canadian tradition. Now owned by Sleeman Breweries (a subsidiary of Sapporo), the brewery has long championed bottle-conditioning — a technique where live yeast remains in the bottle, allowing secondary fermentation that deepens complexity over time. Saison 13 applies this method to a dry-hopped saison framework, incorporating thirteen distinct ingredients including specialty malts, hops, and spices. The collaboration with Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine positions this as more than a novelty release; it follows the well-received À Tout Le Monde series and reflects Unibroue's ongoing partnership with the band.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh hops rise first, followed by sweet stone fruit — apricot and nectarine — layered over a biscuity malt backbone. A light spiciness and floral character emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward with biscuit-like sweetness, quickly giving way to ripe stone fruit at the mid-palate. Yeasty, peppery spice builds through the middle, balanced by a measured hop bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. The dry-hopping adds a layer of herbal freshness without overwhelming the saison's farmhouse character.

Finish: Medium in length, finishing dry and crisp with lingering notes of fruit and a subtle peppery warmth. The bottle-conditioning contributes a gentle effervescence that lifts the finish and leaves the palate clean.

How to Drink Saison 13

Pour into a tulip glass or stemmed goblet at around 45–50°F to let the aromatics open fully; the yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle can be swirled in for added complexity or left behind for a cleaner pour. While saisons are traditionally enjoyed on their own, Saison 13's fruit-forward, spicy profile also works in beer cocktails: a Shandy with fresh lemonade accentuates its stone fruit notes; a Beergarita (blended with lime juice and a splash of orange liqueur over ice) plays off its citrus-friendly spice; and a Snakebite layered with dry cider highlights the farmhouse dryness.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer fan who appreciates Belgian-style ales with a backstory
• Pairing with a summer barbecue or outdoor gathering where lighter, dry ales shine
• Sharing with Megadeth fans looking for an authentic collaboration brew
• Exploring bottle-conditioned saisons beyond traditional European producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Saison 13 taste like? Saison 13 delivers sweet stone fruit — apricot and nectarine — alongside biscuity malt and peppery yeast spice, balanced by a fresh hop bitterness and a dry, crisp finish. It drinks lighter than its 6.1% ABV suggests, with lively carbonation from bottle-conditioning.

How does Saison 13 compare to Unibroue À Tout Le Monde? Both are Unibroue-Megadeth collaborations, but À Tout Le Monde is a Belgian-style pale ale with a more straightforward malt-and-hop profile, while Saison 13 leans into the farmhouse saison tradition with greater spice complexity and dry-hopped aromatics. Saison 13 also distinguishes itself through its thirteen-ingredient recipe, giving it a more layered character.

Is Saison 13 good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its 6.1% ABV is moderate, and the flavor profile balances accessible fruit sweetness with enough spice and hop character to introduce newcomers to the saison style without being overwhelming.

Where is Saison 13 made? Saison 13 is brewed at the Unibroue brewery in Chambly, Quebec, Canada, a facility that has specialized in Belgian-inspired ales since 1990.

What foods pair well with Saison 13? Grilled chicken or pork benefits from the beer's peppery spice and dry finish. Aged gouda or gruyère complement the biscuity malt sweetness. Fresh shellfish like mussels or shrimp mirror its light effervescence. Stone fruit salads echo the beer's apricot and nectarine notes. Spiced Moroccan or Thai dishes find balance in the saison's fruity counterpoint.

What sizes does Saison 13 come in? Saison 13 is commonly available as a four-pack of bottles, the standard retail format for this release.

Is Saison 13 worth the price? Saison 13 positions as a mid-range craft saison — priced in line with other specialty Belgian-style four-packs — and its bottle-conditioning, dry-hopping, and thirteen-ingredient recipe deliver complexity that justifies its place above mass-market wheat ales and session saisons.

Why Saison 13?

Saison 13 stands apart in the North American saison market by combining Unibroue's three-decade mastery of Belgian brewing techniques with a genuinely distinctive thirteen-ingredient recipe. The bottle-conditioning process adds a dimension of depth — live yeast continuing to develop flavor in the bottle — that most commercial saisons skip entirely. Its 89-point score from Tastings.com reflects a beer that delivers real substance beyond its rock-and-roll branding. For drinkers who want a farmhouse ale with character, provenance, and a formula you won't find duplicated elsewhere, this is a saison that earns attention on its own terms.