So this one’s been out for a few years, but this year Golden Cap from New Holland is not only being released in 12 oz bottles for the first time (instead of the 22 oz it was in before), but this year it it taking the place of Zoomer Wit as their summer seasonal.

This is going to be a very good thing.

Not everyone likes saisons, but they’ve been growing on me lately.

Now, while I liked Golden Cap in the past, this year’s release has been head and shoulders above it. Its noticeably sweeter, which will help with its mass appeal, which summer beers really seem to need (at least in Michigan, what with going up against Oberon and all).

Some people will point out that its potentially sweeter than is normal for the style. This may be true, but I don’t think of it as a bad thing. And while its normal for summer beers to be made with wheat, Golden Cap is made with spelt. I give this credit to the unique malt flavor in this beer.

Okay, so I suppose I should actually describe it.

There is a noticeably sweet and spicy aroma from the get-go. There’s more body to it than I expected the first time I had it; a nice, almost honey sweetness and texture to it.

And the flavor is definitely refreshing, both in the cooling way, but also in that its a totally new and unique experience compared to other beers you’ve had.

New Holland calls this a “farmhouse ale”, and I suppose that is true, in that its a saison. That said, this is far and away the most interesting farmhouse I’ve ever had, and surely my favorite.

The best summer beer in Michigan, if you ask me.

9/10