Jester King le Petite Prince

Le Petit Prince is a farmhouse table beer from Jester King, brewed in the Texas Hill Country, and it sits at just 2.9% ABV. That puts it in the session-beer range, where the point is to drink more than one without the palate or the evening getting heavy. According to the brewer's notes, it is fermented with Jester King's house mixed culture of yeast and bacteria, which is what separates it from a standard saison. Expect a light body, a dry finish and a gentle lactic tang rather than the sharp acidity of a full sour. Since no IBU figure is given, treat bitterness as low to moderate. Beers in this style usually let the yeast do most of the work. Typical farmhouse character includes a soft peppery spice, a faint citrus or orchard-fruit note, and a slightly rustic, earthy edge from the mixed fermentation. A pale, bready malt base should stay in the background. Carbonation in saisons tends to run lively, which lifts the aromas and keeps a beer this light from tasting thin. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Straight from a very cold fridge, the delicate yeast and spice notes get muted, and the beer can come across as plain and watery. Let it sit out for ten minutes or so after chilling. A tulip glass or a stemmed Belgian-style goblet suits it best. The narrowing rim holds the aroma and supports the foam, and a tall pour with a slow finish keeps any yeast haze in the bottle if you prefer a clearer glass. A standard pint glass works fine for casual drinking. At this strength it goes well with food that would overwhelm a bigger beer. Try it with a green salad dressed in vinaigrette, grilled shrimp, roast chicken with herbs, or goat cheese on crusty bread. The dry finish and carbonation also cut through fried foods and light seafood tacos. Because it is so low in alcohol and so dry, it also works as a daytime beer for a long lunch or a hot Texas afternoon, when a heavier beer would be a poor fit.