Fox Hunt: Mad Fox Saison

Bill Madden, CEO and brewmaster of The Mad Fox Brewing Company, of Falls Church, VA is no stranger to American beer lovers. This award winning brewer has been brewing up some amazing beers over the last 15 years or so in the DC Metro Area. Be it at Capitol City Brewing, Founders, or Vintage 50, Bill's beers have had a loyal and faithful following. On July 12th, 2010 Madden finally opened Mad Fox, and has hit the ground running.

Mad Fox features at any one time 5-7 beers, as well as six beer engines serving up cask conditioned beers as well. I was fortunate enough to pay Mad Fox a visit and enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere, service, food, and of course the beer. One beer that I really enjoyed is Mad Fox Sasion. The brewery describes this one as such:

Saison (6% ABV)

A sturdy farmhouse-style ale that showcases a yeast from northern France, along the Belgian border. The earth and spice notes as well as the citrus fruit character are yeast driven. The balance and complexity of the aroma will change as the beer warms in your hand. Medium bitterness and honeyish malt with a semi-dry finish.

Mad Fox Saison pours to a hazy, pale, golden color, with a tight, white head that fades, and a lively carbonation. The nose on this beer is fantastic, with big spicy/earth aromas of yeast, paired with citrus, and touches of malt sweetness. The palate is firm, with good pale malt flavor, paired with some spicy flavors of yeast, and touches of citrus. This beer finishes with more of those good pale malt, yeasty and citrus flavorful up front, then ends dry with some hop bitterness that lingers with spicy yeast flavor.

Excellent example of saison. This is an outstanding beer to enjoy as an aperitif, and a phenomenal beer to match with a number of dishes on Mad Fox's menu, which is tailor made to match with all the house brewed beers. Mad Fox has arrived, and will be a go to destination for anyone who loves good craft beer in the DC Metro Area. For more information visit:

http://www.madfoxbrewing.com/