Boulevard Tank 7 Review
As Craft Brewing has taken off in the states, many brewers have made their mark developing unique beers that fall outside the bounds of traditional styles. However, another trend has been to look to brewing history in Europe and to reinvent previously well-established styles, giving them an American twist. Boulevard has done just that with Tank 7, their tasty interpretation of a Belgian Saison.
Historically, saisons (French for “Season”) were brewed in Southern Belgium as a thirst-quencher for the summer field workers (saisonniers). Today, they no longer fulfill this purpose, but retain many of the characteristics which made them aptly suited to the task. Saisons are typically highly carbonated wheat beers with spicy notes from yeast or actual spices and a higher hop presence than is observed in most other Belgian styles. The combination of slight acidity, high carbonation, and hop bitterness gives the beverage a refreshing edge-perfect for a hard day’s work in the summer heat.
With Tank 7, Boulevard pays homage to the Saison, but in true American fashion, with a high ABV (8.0%) and a wallop of American hop flavor and aroma. The aroma abounds with grapefruit hops, with lemony-herbal notes not far behind. White pepper and clove phenolics complete the mélange-it smells heavenly. The flavor follows the aroma, with hints of bubblegum and rose-like alcohols to complement the fruity-spicy character of the beer. With its varied flavor hooks, Tank 7 makes an excellent food beer at any time of year. Complex, elegant, and quite refreshing, Tank 7 is not a beer to be missed.
- Pat Fahey
Beer Dabbler Beer Reviewer
