Souvenir De Cassis - Blackcurrant Saison

Souvenir de Cassis

Blackcurrant Saison · 8.4% ABV

A memory of blackcurrant.

Released when it was ready.

What to Expect

Style: Blackcurrant Saison
Feel: Dry, layered, quietly expressive
Challenge level: Moderate

Good if you like:
Saison · farmhouse ales · mixed fermentation beers
Dry, structured beers with fruit character integrated rather than forward

Introduction

Souvenir de Cassis is a blackcurrant saison shaped by time, place, and restraint. First tasted in Ljubljana, the beer carries an impression rather than a statement — dark fruit, acidity, and spice held together through fermentation and extended ageing. This is not a fruit-led beer, but one where the fruit becomes part of the structure.

Flavour Profile

Blackcurrant brings depth and subtle tannin rather than sweetness — notes of dark berry skin, gentle acidity, and quiet richness sit within a dry saison base. Oak ageing softens the edges, allowing spice from fermentation and botanicals to emerge gradually. The finish is composed and gently drying, with fruit lingering as a memory rather than a dominant note.

How It Was Made

This beer was brewed as a saison and given extended time to develop before release.

• Aged for 21 months in Moscatel barrels, allowing oak, acidity, and fermentation character to integrate naturally
• Transferred onto blackcurrants for a further 3 months, focusing on depth rather than fruit intensity
• Bottle conditioned and rested until carbonation reached the right level

Why it matters:
Blackcurrant rewards patience. With time, its character settles into balance rather than overpowering the beer.

Ingredients & Details

Grain: Golden Promise · Aromatic · Munich · Wheat · DRC · Crystal · Red Rye
Botanicals & Fruit Additions: Blackcurrant · Coriander seed · Bitter orange peel · Grains of paradise
Hops: Styrian Goldings
Yeast: BE-134
ABV: 8.4%
Allergens: Contains barley and wheat

When & How to Enjoy

Best for: Food-led occasions, slow evenings, or sharing
Serve: Lightly chilled, in a stemmed glass
One tip: Give the beer time in the glass — its layers continue to open as it warms slightly.

Food Pairings

Souvenir de Cassis pairs particularly well with:

• Rich, savoury dishes (duck, game, slow-cooked meats)
• Dishes with acidity or spice (pickled elements, citrus, fermented vegetables)
• Washed-rind and aged cheeses (Comté, Taleggio, aged Gouda)
• Dark chocolate or berry-led desserts (blackcurrant tart, chocolate mousse)

Why it works:
The beer’s dryness and gentle acidity cut through richness, while its dark fruit character complements savoury depth without sweetness.