Washington state’s capitol city, Olympia, might be best know in the brewing world for its namesake brewery (which sold 20 years back and now made in Pabst Brewing Company), along with Fish Brewing Company (Fish Tale, Leavenworth, Spire Cider). One of the latest to the scene is Kastellan Brauerei, a German-styled home-brewers dream-come-true for local garagistes Bryan Trunnel and Erik Heimann. Using Old World brewing techniques to achieve that style, Kastellan’s focus is on German, English and Belgian style ales and lagers, like their Belgian Heather Saison. Lighter in both color and body but full of fervor, this saison credits its brightness to using heather (the Scottish perennial shrub) that takes the place of half the normal amount of hops so the IBUs are low but the result is high on flavor. Floral and citrus-hopped, sweet and round with malts, the palate is bright with spices, finishing vivid and robust, yet far from heavy.
