Flavors in beer are a result of raw ingredients, the brewing process and fermentation. In many beer styles one or a few of those components run the show, while the others are hiding in the background, supporting that shining star. For example, in a Weizen, the yeast and wheat are crucial, whereas the hops have less of a role. In NEIPAs the hops are of huge importance. The malt bill needs to support those hop aromas and the yeast adds its bits to the profile, but the hops really are the stars.
More complex beers can have important contributions from each and every bit, think of a quadrupel or Imperial Porter, but they are also often heavy and drinking more than one is a challenge (one that can surely be overcome, though).
One style that is quaffable and refreshing, but also has imporant flavor contributions from malts, hops and yeast is saison. Dry, earthy, lightly sour, a beautiful malt body, with obvious yeast notes in the flavor and a pleasant hop-dominated finish. Low abv, but still a very rich flavor experience.
I can hear the critics say: “The taste and smell of every single beer is influenced by each and every ingredient and all details of the brewing process”. They would be correct. But the way in which this is balanced in saisons (in balance, but at a high level, if that makes some sense), is something that I appreciate very much, especially at safe alcohol content.
Long live Saison!
Perhaps some other time, I will get into the details of what makes a saison a saison. The style defining beer is probably Saison Dupont. It’s good. Some other ones that I appreciate very much are Saison de Dottignies (Brouwerij de Ranke), Animal Space (Butcher’s Tears), Opal (Firestone Walker), Worker (The Sisters Brewery) and Stateside Saison (Stillwater Artisinal). Some of those preferences might be ever so slightly influenced by personal appreciation of the brewery in question. Still, in my opinion you can’t go wrong with these “farmhouse ales”!
Let me know what you think of saison! What’s your favorite?
Tasting Craft Beer 
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