By the Conductor of the Alibi Beer Orchestra, Kevin Drake.
When I was deep into homebrewing in the early 2000s, saisons quickly became one of my favorite styles. I was drawn to how much complexity came from saison yeast during fermentation, and how dry the beers finished, making them endlessly drinkable despite their depth.
The word saison translates to “season” in Flemish. Historically, these beers were brewed on farms in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of southern Belgium, often during cooler months and consumed by farmworkers throughout the year. Traditional saisons tend to be light in color, moderate in alcohol (usually 4–5% ABV), and defined by expressive yeast character and a crisp finish.
After brewing many classic saisons, I was interested in pushing the style in a different direction. I wanted to create something darker and stronger for winter while still honoring the dry, yeast-driven soul of the style. The result was our Dark Saison: essentially a hybrid between a traditional saison and a Belgian dubbel. The first batch was delicious, and I rebrewed it many times long before Alibi was born.
When we opened Alibi in December of 2014, Dark Saison was one of just four beers on tap, alongside a traditional saison, a porter (now a year-round Alibi fav), and a West Coast IPA. Over the years, it’s become a quiet taproom favorite, and today we typically brew it once a year during the winter months. Notably, the recipe hasn’t changed at all.
The malt bill starts with an even split of pilsner and Vienna malt, providing a clean yet slightly toasty foundation. A healthy addition of flaked rye contributes body and foam, while Special B (a heavily caramelized crystal malt) adds deep raisin and dried fruit notes. A small amount of dehusked Carafa II brings subtle cocoa character without harsh roast. Czech Saaz hops round things out with soft, woodsy, lemon-tinged bitterness. While we’ve experimented with different yeast strains over the years, we always choose one that’s highly attenuative to ensure the beer finishes dry and balanced.
Dark Saison is layered and expressive, offering flavors of raisins, figs, poached pears, baked apples, dried cherry, cocoa, and classic Belgian spice. The beer continues to evolve as it warms in the glass, revealing new nuances with every sip. It’s also worth noting that Dark Saison has earned more competition medals than any other beer we’ve brewed at Alibi—something we’re incredibly proud of.
Food Pairings
Alibi Incline – The Forager Pizza
Mushroom medley, caramelized onions, white sauce
Earthy mushrooms and caramelized onions echo the beer’s toasted malt and gentle spice, creating a rich yet balanced pairing.
Alibi Truckee – Beer Braised Bratwurst
Caraway kraut, pickled cabbage, pretzel roll, house-made beer mustard
Savory sausage and tangy kraut highlight the saison’s bready malt, subtle spice, and crisp finish.
If you haven’t revisited Dark Saison in a while – or are trying it for the first time – this winter release is a reminder of why we fell in love with the style in the first place. It’s a beer built for winter evenings, good food, and taking your time.
Cheers!
