Down the Road’s Fee De Fleurs

Today is going to be a trip down memory lane. Adam and I came across a bottle of Fee De Fleurs by Down The Road on one of our beer runs. I couldn’t help picking up the single bottle sitting on the near-empty shelf.

Down The Road was a fast-growing brewery until the untimely death of their head brewer and owner, Donovan Bailey. Their taproom was located in Everett, Massachusetts, a stone’s throw from Bone Up Brewing and Night Shift.

They brewed a full range of beers. The beers were named after mythical creatures and the like with labels to match. As you can see from the photo, their artwork was stunning. I can’t remember when I discovered the brewery. It was probably while strolling through the craft beer section of Gordon’s in Waltham. I have no doubt that the labels and the names played a big part in the first purchase.

CJ, Adam, and I visited about two years ago after an offer to get a tour of the space after notifying Down The Road of an oxidized batch. Donovan was extremely welcoming and very excited about his brewery. He took us around the entire workspace, talking about Down The Road and answering our questions. The three of us have been on more than a few brewery tours. None quite so personal as this one.

What a space he built. The Everett location was set up in the large beerhall format. Log tables stretched out across the converted industrial space. A few sofas and comfy chairs were scattered on the outskirts of the hall. But that’s not the best part of the brewery. I mean, really, tables and chairs are never a highlight. The taproom was littered with classic pinball machines. So much fun! We sacrificed plenty of quarters to the gaming gods that day.

The beer purchased just the other day was a favorite of mine when they were actively producing beers. I had quite a few favorites from their line up. Golden City was a great IPA. As was Seventh Star IPA. Fee de Fleurs was up there with their Marzen, Henzelmann. So freaking good. One of the best fall beers. But, we’re not here to talk about fall beers.

Today, we’re talking about a saison. Well, it was a saison when it was first brewed. Surveyed the bomber’s glass, but nary a date could be found. The label says batch number 4, and the address predates the brewery’s Everett location. So, let’s just say this has been aging a while.

Fee de Fleurs pours into a hazy, golden in color with a bright white head. Very active considering the unknown dating of this particular brew. It has a boozy nose. Almost as if it had been barrel-aged. Lots of raisin, date, and fig flavors rise up out of the glass. The pepper, banana-l I’d expect from a saison are nonexistent. Or I should say, the banana and pepper I remember. But that’s not necessarily a terrible thing. The mellowing of this brew is definitely interesting to experience.

The pepper I was missing in the aroma is still alive and well as you sip on this brew. It presents mostly on the back end, although there is the slightest kick at the beginning of each taste. The raisiny boozy flavors from the nose come at you first. Honestly, I’m drinking a strong ale rather than a saison. Or drinking fig jam – without the sticky, heavy mouthfeel.

Fee de Fleur’s weighed in at 8.5%, which is on the higher end for a saison. I never complained then, and I’m not complaining now. I remember the brew being fizzy and light when drinking it freshly brewed. The mouthfeel hasn’t changed much sitting in the bomber, offsetting the dense flavors I’m getting as I drink.

This one is tough to drink, not because of the flavors. Just knowing that this is likely the last Down the Road beverage I’ll have. They made some bomb ass beer and had a really awesome taproom. Down the Road was a brewery rooted in a passion for craft beer and a good time.