Looking to try something rustic, refreshing, and full of character in your next homebrew? Saison might be the perfect style for you. Originally brewed in the Belgian countryside for farmhands, Saison is a dry, effervescent ale known for its spicy yeast character, high carbonation, and surprising drinkability. In this post, we’ll walk you through an easy Saison recipe that’s perfect for beginners, along with tips for fermentation, yeast selection, and ingredient tweaks.
Why Saison is a Great Style for New Brewers
- Forgiving fermentation: Saison yeasts thrive at warmer temperatures
- Distinct flavors: Yeast-driven character hides minor flaws
- Minimal hops: Less complexity means fewer ingredients to manage
- Highly drinkable: Dry and refreshing, perfect for summer
Beginner Saison Recipe (5-Gallon Batch)
Here's a great Saison Extract Beer Kit recipe to try out for beginners. Scroll to the bottom for info on an All-Grain version.
Estimated Stats:
- OG: 1.040 - 1.045
- FG: 1.006 - 1.010
- ABV: ~5%
- IBU: ~25
- Color: Pale gold
Ingredients:
Fermentables:
- 4.0 lbs Pilsner dry malt extract (DME)
Specialty Grains
- 1.0 lb Vienna Malt
- 0.5 lb Munich Malt
- 0.4 lb White Wheat Malt
- 0.25 lb Crystal 20 Malt
- 0.25 lb Aromatic Malt
Hops:
- 1 oz East Kent Goldings (60 min)
- 1 oz Styrian Goldings (10 min)
- 0.5 oz Perle (10 min)
- 0.25 oz Styrian Goldings (2 min)
- 0.5 oz Perle (2 min)
Yeast:
- Omega Yeast OYL500 Saisonstein's Monster, SafBrew T-58 Dry Yeast, or Wyeast 3724 Belgian Saison Yeast (if using 3724, see Tips for Saison Success below).
Brewing Instructions
- Steep Specialty Grains:
- Steep in 150–155°F water for 30 minutes
- Turn off heat or remove kettle from heat source
- Add Dry Malt Extract (DME) and stir until fully dissolved
- Boil:
- Bring wort to a boil and start a 60 minute timer. Add hops according to the schedule listed above.
- Cool & Transfer:
- Chill wort to ~70°F and transfer to fermenter
- Pitch Yeast:
- Aerate wort and pitch Saison yeast
- Fermentation:
- Let it rise! Saison yeast thrives at 70–85°F (or higher)
- Expect a long fermentation (2–3 weeks)
- Bottle or Keg:
- Aim for higher carbonation (~2.8–3.2 volumes CO₂)
- Use carbonation drops or ~5 oz priming sugar
Tips for Saison Success
- Temperature control: Saison yeasts love it warm. Don’t be afraid to ferment in the upper 70s or low 80s. If using Wyeast 3724 you'll need to have a temperature of at least 90 degrees. The yeast will stall before finishing if your temperature is lower than that. If unable to maintain this higher temperature, use the Omega Saisonstein's Monster.
- Spice lightly: If adding orange peel or spices, go easy — yeast is the star.
All-Grain Recipe
To make an all-grain version of this Saison recipe, simply switch out the dry malt extract for 7 lbs of 2-Row Brewers Malt. Steep/mash the 2-row with the specialty grains for an hour at 146-148 degrees. The boil schedule remains the same.
Final Thoughts
Saison is a homebrew style that rewards simplicity, patience, and a little rustic flair. With just a few ingredients and the right yeast, you can brew a farmhouse ale that’s packed with character and refreshment. Happy brewing!
Looking for a kit to get started? Try our Petite Saison Extract Beer Kit. If you're looking for something a bit more funky, you can try our Lithuanian Saison Extract Beer Kit called Time of the Saison!
Petite Saison All-Grain Beer Kit
Time of the Saison All-Grain Beer Kit