Side Project Le Saisonnier 750ML

Side Project Le Saisonnier 750ML is a 4% ABV farmhouse saison brewed and barrel-aged in Maplewood, Missouri, showcasing local terroir through wild fermentation. Rated 96/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing and 94 points by Wine Enthusiast, this low-ABV expression has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling American-made saisons available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4%  |  Origin: Maplewood, Missouri, USA  |  Farmhouse Saison  |  Brewery: Side Project Brewing

Production & Heritage

Side Project Brewing, based in Maplewood, Missouri, focuses almost exclusively on barrel-aged and wild-fermented beer. Le Saisonnier is brewed with European malts and assertively hopped with European hop varieties before spending six months aging in a Missouri oak foedre — a large, open-topped wooden vessel — with a blend of indigenous Missouri microflora sourced from the brewery's family farm. Certain iterations have also spent time in Chardonnay barrels with a mixed culture of yeast and bacteria, layering additional complexity onto the base saison. The deliberate use of local Missouri oak and wild cultures gives Le Saisonnier a terroir-driven identity that separates it from both traditional Belgian farmhouse ales and most American saison programs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Floral European hops and light citrus lead, followed by cracked black pepper and dried hay. A subtle bready malt note sits underneath, grounding the aromatics.

Taste: The palate opens tart with citrus-driven acidity — lemon zest and green apple — before moving into a softly bitter mid-palate of herbal dryness and mild Brett funk. The final third introduces biscuity bread malt character, faint pear, oak tannin, and a honeycomb sweetness that balances the acidity without masking it.

Finish: Dry and clean with lingering flavors of crusty baked French bread, a touch of lemon peel, and low peppery funk. The finish is moderate in length but inviting, encouraging the next sip rather than lingering heavily.

How to Drink Le Saisonnier

Le Saisonnier is best served at cellar temperature (50–55°F) in a tulip glass or wide-mouthed goblet to let the complex aromatics open up. At 4% ABV, it drinks with the sessionability of a table beer but the depth of something far more ambitious. It pairs naturally as a standalone sipper during warm-weather afternoons and works well as a food-pairing beer alongside charcuterie courses, soft-ripened cheeses, or seafood.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate wild fermentation and farmhouse traditions
• Warm-weather sipping sessions where low ABV and high complexity are equally valued
• Gifting to collectors of American wild ales and barrel-aged beer
• Pairing alongside a multi-course dinner as a versatile table saison

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Le Saisonnier taste like? Le Saisonnier delivers tart citrus acidity up front — lemon zest, green apple — with herbal dryness, mild Brett funk, honeycomb sweetness, and biscuity malt rounding out the palate. The finish is dry and peppery with lingering baked bread character.

How does Le Saisonnier compare to Saison Dupont? Both are dry, hop-forward farmhouse ales, but Le Saisonnier distinguishes itself through six months of Missouri oak foedre aging and indigenous wild yeast, giving it a more pronounced tartness and oak complexity than Dupont's cleaner, yeast-driven profile. Le Saisonnier also sits at a lower 4% ABV compared to Dupont's 6.5%, making it more sessionable.

Is Le Saisonnier good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the interplay of tart acidity, wild yeast character, and bready malt makes it a deeply engaging sipper despite its modest 4% ABV. Serving it slightly cool in a tulip glass brings out its full aromatic range.

Where is Le Saisonnier made? Le Saisonnier is brewed and aged at Side Project Brewing in Maplewood, Missouri. The wild microflora used in fermentation is sourced from the brewery's family farm in Missouri, reinforcing the beer's local terroir-driven identity.

What foods pair well with Le Saisonnier? Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the tartness; grilled shellfish such as shrimp or oysters echo the citrus and brine notes; charcuterie boards with cured meats balance the dryness; roasted chicken with herbs mirrors the beer's herbal and peppery character; and light salads dressed with lemon vinaigrette harmonize with the acidity.

What sizes does Le Saisonnier come in? Le Saisonnier is available in a standard 750ML bottle, a format common for Side Project Brewing's barrel-aged and wild-fermented releases.

Is Le Saisonnier worth the price? Le Saisonnier positions as a premium American farmhouse ale, and its six-month foedre aging, indigenous wild fermentation, and consistently high critical scores — including a 96/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing — place it firmly in the upper tier of the American saison category in terms of both quality and value.

Why Le Saisonnier?

What makes Le Saisonnier genuinely rare among American saisons is its commitment to Missouri terroir — local oak vessels and wild yeast cultures pulled from the brewery's own family farm, not sourced from commercial labs. That six-month foedre aging at just 4% ABV is an exercise in restraint; most breweries reserve extended barrel time for higher-gravity beers that can absorb more oak influence. The result is a saison that has drawn a 96/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing, a 94 from Wine Enthusiast, and a 94 on BeerAdvocate — critical consensus that confirms this is not simply another farmhouse ale but a benchmark expression of what American wild saison can achieve.