【Seattle Saison】Floodland Brewing SEN XXVI – Artisanal Saison Combining Water-Like Mouthfeel with Complex Fermentation Aromas

【#rihobeer No. 512】”SEN XXVI” from Seattle’s highly-rated brewery Floodland Brewing is part of their regular series meaning “26th Senescence.” It’s a single-wort spelt wheat saison that underwent open fermentation in May 2023, followed by secondary fermentation in neutral barrels, using whole flower Crystal hops grown by the Kirk family of Willamette Valley Farms.

Beer Basic Description

SEN XXVI means “26th Senescence” and is one of Floodland Brewing’s regular series. This beer is a saison made with single-wort spelt wheat, which underwent open fermentation in May 2023, followed by secondary fermentation in neutral barrels. It uses whole flower Crystal hops grown by the Kirk family of Willamette Valley Farms.

Originally intended to be used as part of a blend, it was ultimately offered on its own as “an insight into how a single aspect looks without complementation.” The bottle undergoes conditioning through re-fermentation with organic sugar. It was bottled on August 8, 2024, and is recommended for consumption by spring 2028.

Brewery Profile: Floodland Brewing

Located in Seattle, Floodland Brewing is operated by founder Adam Paysse. According to official information, they do not use glycol or cooling systems commonly used in modern breweries, instead adopting traditional brewing methods.

Founder Adam Paysse has stated that he considers brewing “a means for expression and artistic creation.” As of the time of writing this article (April 2025), according to Untappd data, this brewery ranks 3rd globally and 1st in America with an amazingly high rating, recording an average score of 4.433 for 34 types of beers with 59,749 ratings. They have particularly unmatched evaluations in the saison style, and the “Senescence” series is highly praised by many enthusiasts.

【Beginner’s Guide: What are Neutral Barrels】

The “neutral barrels” used for aging SEN XXVI refer to oak barrels that have been used for several years and no longer impart strong flavors or tannins to beer or wine. Generally, barrels used for more than 3-4 years see a significant reduction in their ability to impart oak flavors to beer. These barrels still allow for gentle oxygen supply and have subtle effects on the fermentation process. According to Floodland’s public information, they prefer to use old and very neutral barrels, minimizing extraction from the oak material.

【Beginner’s Guide: Saison/Farmhouse Ale】

Saison is a farmhouse beer originally brewed for seasonal workers on farms in the Wallonia region of Belgium. “Saison” means “season” in French. Traditionally brewed in spring for work during summer, it was a low-alcohol beer designed to quench thirst. Modern saisons are a style that harmonizes complex yeast characteristics, grain flavors, a light body, and moderate hop bitterness. Some craft breweries, like Floodland, interpret the traditional style in a modern way, pursuing their own expression through barrel aging and special yeast strains.

Floodland’s Brewing Philosophy

In an interview, Adam Paysse explained that “barrel fermentation is a path to creating the beer I envision in my mind, not something anachronistic.” Regarding barrel selection, he maintains barrels to minimize extraction from oak material and adopts the “field blend” concept from winemaking. They sometimes use fresh ingredients like fruit, honey, and flowers, and occasionally “acacia barrels.” According to the founder, “acacia tends to be super neutral and highlights hoppy beers.”

Tasting Notes (the following are all the author’s personal impressions)

Aroma

The aroma characteristics I perceived were dominated by floral scents, with funky notes from bread yeast adding depth. I also detected a hint of cherry-like sweetness and lemony citrus freshness. What I found particularly impressive was how the spicy aromas from the wheat beautifully balanced with the elegant aromas of Crystal hops, creating a complex aroma profile. From the moment it was poured into the glass, a refined and sophisticated aroma rose up.

Appearance

In the appearance I observed, the top of the bottle was characterized by a clear, bright golden color. In contrast, the bottom of the bottle had yeast densely settled, giving it a very cloudy appearance. The bottom of the bottle looked so different that it could have been a completely different beer. The foam was substantial and lasted surprisingly long for an aged beer. This might be evidence of successful bottle conditioning.

Flavor (Taste)

What I found most impressive was the water-like lightness and gentleness of the mouthfeel. Spicy aromas from the wheat spread throughout the mouth, and I felt a beautiful balance between bread yeast and Crystal hops. When swishing in the mouth, the carbonation, yeast funkiness, and floral hop notes danced on the tongue, feeling like a fusion of gentle mouthfeel and beer-like complexity. I also detected delicate acidity reminiscent of plum and shiso, but it was subtle and well-harmonized. The funkiness and floral hop nuances mingled to create a peach-like flavor, allowing me to enjoy a complex taste.

Body (Mouthfeel)

The body I experienced was surprisingly light, with “water-like” being the perfect description. However, it wasn’t simply thin; complex flavors could be clearly felt within its delicacy. The heavily sedimented yeast at the bottom of the bottle had a richer taste compared to the top, but the throat feel remained consistently gentle and mild throughout. The balance between funkiness and gentleness was exquisite, with a depth that suggested lengthy aging. This achievement of both lightness and complexity is perhaps the result of an approach that makes no compromises down to the finest details.

Flavor Profile (Author’s Evaluation)

Flavor Element	Intensity (1-5)	Characteristics (author’s perception)
Floral Quality	4/5	Elegant flower-like flavor from Crystal hops
Yeast Character	4/5	Funkiness and complexity from bread yeast
Fruitiness	3/5	Delicate flavors of cherry, lemon, peach
Acidity	2/5	Restrained acidity reminiscent of plum and shiso
Wheat-derived Flavor	3/5	Spicy nuances from spelt wheat
Balance	5/5	All elements harmonize elegantly

Overall Impression

For me, SEN XXVI was an artistic beer that beautifully expressed Floodland Brewing’s brewing philosophy and artisanal techniques. The balance between the water-like mouthfeel and complex fermentation flavors was particularly noteworthy, providing an experience that transcended mere beverage. I felt the depth and delicacy obtained through long aging, and the elegant floral notes from whole flower Crystal hops were in perfect harmony. Having different expressions in the top and bottom of the bottle while maintaining consistent high quality throughout may be testament to Adam Paysse’s meticulous attention to brewing detail.

Overall Rating

Recommended Pairings

The following foods would pair particularly well with a saison like SEN XXVI that has delicate and complex flavors.

Floodland Brewing Acquisition Guide

Floodland Brewing’s beers are extremely rare, and their acquisition method differs from typical beers. Below is an explanation of the publicly available acquisition methods. (※Information may change, so please check the official website for the latest information.)

According to public information, Floodland bottles are also available at specific restaurants such as “TOMO” in Seattle, “Houlme” on Orcas Island, and “Ursa Minor” on Lopez Island. You can also drink them at draft events occasionally announced on Instagram. As of the time of writing this article (April 2025), Floodland does not operate a taproom, and direct purchases at the brewery are not possible. If you cannot come for pickup after a release, they can hold your bottles until the next release, but not beyond that.

American Craft Beer Exploration Journal

The author, currently living in Seattle, is publishing a record of journeys through the craft beer scenes of the United States and Canada. From popular breweries in Los Angeles to hidden gems in Portland and unique taprooms in Vancouver, we’re sharing reports on brewery visits across North America. Content diving deep into North American beer culture, including limited beers only available locally and conversations with brewers, can be viewed from this category page.

https://rihobeer.com/category/beer/brewpub/usa

Japanese Craft Beer Exploration Journal

The author, who lived in Japan until 2024, is publishing a record of journeys through craft beer scenes across the country. From Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, we’ve visited diverse breweries throughout Japan. From brewery-operated taprooms to locally-rooted beer pubs, we share experiences of Japanese craft beer culture. Content delving into the charms of Japanese craft beer, including seasonal limited brews, unique beers using local ingredients, and conversations with brewers, can be viewed from this tag page.

https://rihobeer.com/tag/japan-ja/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I purchase Floodland Brewing beers?

A: According to official information, Floodland beers are primarily sold through an online reservation system via mailing list and pickup at the brewery. Register for the mailing list on the official website (floodlandbrewing.com) and wait for sales in odd-numbered months. They are also reportedly served at some Seattle restaurants (such as TOMO). Please check the official website for the latest sales information.

Q: What is Saison style beer?

A: Saison is a farmhouse beer originating from Belgium’s Wallonia region, characterized by complex yeast characteristics, grain flavors, a light body, and moderate hop bitterness. Traditionally brewed in spring for summer work, it was intended to quench thirst. Modern saisons are interpreted in various variations by craft breweries.

Q: How long can a 750ml bottle of beer be stored?

A: For SEN XXVI, the recommended consumption date is by spring 2028. Floodland beers are designed for long-term aging and, under appropriate conditions (cool and dark), flavors can continue to develop for several years. However, if you want to enjoy it at its freshest state, consumption within one year of purchase is recommended.

Q: What are neutral barrels?

A: Neutral barrels (or neutral oak) refer to oak barrels that have been used for several years and no longer impart strong flavors or tannins to beer or wine. In the brewing industry, these barrels are sometimes used to promote complex fermentation through gentle oxygen supply and microbial environment.

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Reference Information

In creating this blog post, the following sources were referenced. We strive to provide the latest and most accurate information, but information may change.

• Floodland Brewing Official Website: https://www.floodlandbrewing.com/
• Untappd – Floodland Brewing: https://untappd.com/w/floodland-brewing/379455
• Untappd – Top Rated Breweries: https://untappd.com/brewery/top_rated
• Craft Beer & Brewing – Breakout Brewer: Floodland: https://beerandbrewing.com/breakout-brewer-floodland/
• Finding Beer – Best Breweries in United States: https://finding.beer/best-breweries/united-states
• Craft Beer & Brewing – Best in Beer Readers’ Choice: Your Favorite Breweries in 2024: https://beerandbrewing.com/best-in-beer-readers-choice-your-favorite-breweries-in-2024/

Last Updated: April 21, 2025

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