You know, over at Thank Heaven for Beer they periodically post a picture and ask what kind of beer do these guys drink, and judging from this picture of the band Warrant back in the 80’s (their hair band heyday) I’d say Miller Lite. See there is a bottle of Bacardi Black rum on the table along with a pack of Marlboro Lights, which tells me these “guys” like lighter drinks and light cigarettes, probably trying to keep their girlish figures. But you know time does move on ,and perhaps these 80’s party “boys” grew up a little…
What a difference some maturing and a decade or two make! Now these guys look like they might drink some interesting beer, that is why I think Southern Tier’s Cherry Saison should become the “Beer of Warrant”. Think of it, what a better theme song than “She’s my Cherry Pie” for ST’s great summertime concoction.
Let me start out by saying how surprised I was that this being only my second time drinking Saison’s or Farmhouse Ales, how similar in flavor the base beer was to the Avery Fifteen I reviewed last week. Farmhouse Ale must be a fairly well defined flavor based on my limited experience, but I am a noob to the style, so if you know anything different feel free to chime in and tell me I’m off base here. I expect I am.
So without further adieu…My review of the new “Theme Beer for Warrant”. The pour on this brew was very appealing. The only other farmhouse ale I’ve had poured a golden color, so I am left thinking that this brew was more orangy based on the fact that it was infused with a ton of cherries. It had a small head that quickly dissipated to a whispy thread of foam around the lip of the beer. Not a lot of lacing here.
The nose reminded me of the orchards around my house during cherry harvest. Huge cherry scent on the nose combined with the ale and yeast smell. It reminded me of hot cross buns at Christmas time. It was very appealing.
The flavor was very good. Cherries were up front and in your face, but at the same time did not overwhelm the brew, there was enough of the ale that came through after the big cherries that it balanced out and was quite nice. The ale had a nice bready quality and it finished clean.
I’ve only had a couple of Southern Tier brews to this point but these guys get it. I will be trying their stuff every time I see it from this point on. The price tag scares me away sometimes, but no more. Their stuff is worth the $10 I pay, and haven’t been let down.
This was a great brew, and I couldn’t help but think that it would be quite good with a shot of whiskey in it. I think I will buy another bottle and give it a try.
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Dude, this beer is awesome. Want another good saison? Try Ommegang’s Hennepin, or New Holland’s Golden Cap (made with spelt!). Both are fairly straightforward compared to this, and the Ommegang is (as usual) the more traditional of the two.
Saisons are one of my current favorite summer styles – that and Belgian Wit.
I have a Hennepin in the bunker, and will give it a try real soon. Unfortunately I don’t get New Holland stuff out West yet, but eventually I will try it as well. Thanks for the suggestions.
I haven’t seen this one round these parts yet (yes Idaho has something NJ doesn’t-for now) but I’ll definitely pick one up. looks like an awesome warm weather beer.
I also have to say the first pic in the post is actually disturbing. It looks like they’re eating pie off of a bikini-clad corpse. Nice, fellas. That’s 80’s creativity for you I guess…
Yeah, I thought the picture was pretty “interesting” myself. Gotta love the publicity photo shoots! Give it a try when you see it, I’m thinking it is probably in NJ, but Idaho just got a jump on you some how.
Comparing the “then” and “now” photos, I really can’t tell who’s who. But I do like how their leather driving gloves have morphed into leather wristbands. I guess microphone grip technology has made leaps since the 80’s and the gloves are no longer required.
You know now a days with all the foam, gel and latex on the mikes they just don’t need those gloves. Wrist bands are important however for deflecting flying objects…
This looks very nice. I think that Saison Dupont is probably the most classic version and should be tried. I’ll Warrant that you’ll like it.
Sounds like a good one to try Mike. I’ll look for it. Can’t you just hear the song while you read? I wish I knew how to get it to play when you clock on the post!
If Warrant started to play with the post I’d gouge out my own eardrums with the nearest pencil. Thanks for not doing that Don.
I haven’t seen this beer yet either Jim.
She’s my cherry pie,
Cool drink of water, such a sweet surprise.
Tastes so good, make a grown man cry,
Sweet cherry pie.
Swingin’ on the front porch,
Swingin’ on the lawn.
Swingin’ where we want,
Cause there ain’t nobody home.
Swingin’ to the left,
And swingin’ to the right.
If I think about baseball,
I’ll swing all night, yeah.
Swingin’ in the living room,
Swingin’ in the kitchen.
Most folks don’t cause,
They’re too busy bitchin’.
Swingin’ in there cause,
She wanted me to feed her.
So I mixed up the batter,
And she licked the beater.
I scream, you scream,
We all scream for her.
Don’t even try cause,
You can’t ignore her.
She’s my cherry pie,
Cool drink of water, such a sweet surprise.
Tastes so good, make a grown man cry,
Sweet cherry pie, oh yeah.
She’s my cherry pie,
Put a smile on your face ten miles wide.
Looks so good, bring a tear to your eye,
Sweet cherry pie.
Swingin’ to the drums,
Swingin’ to guitar.
Swingin’ to the bass,
In the back of my car.
Ain’t got money,
Ain’t got no gas.
But we’ll get where we’re goin’ if we,
Swing real fast.
I scream, you scream,
We all scream for her.
Don’t even try cause,
You can’t ignore her.
She’s my cherry pie,
Cool drink of water, such a sweet surprise.
Tastes so good, make a grown man cry,
Sweet cherry pie, oh yeah.
She’s my cherry pie,
Put a smile on your face ten miles wide.
Looks so good, bring a tear to your eye,
Sweet cherry pie.
Swing it! All night long�
Swing it!
Swingin� in the bathroom,
Swingin’ on the floor.
Swingin’ so hard,
We forgot to lock the door.
In walks her daddy,
Standin’ six foot four.
He said, �You ain’t gonna swing with my daughter no more.�
She’s my cherry pie,
Cool drink of water, such a sweet surprise.
Tastes so good, make a grown man cry,
Sweet cherry pie, oh yeah.
She’s my cherry pie,
Put a smile on your face ten miles wide.
Looks so good, bring a tear to your eye,
Sweet cherry pie.
Sweet cherry pie�
Swing it!
Best I could do!
That didn’t need to happen, Don. Really. I can actually hear it in my head, with from-the-past reverb happening for historical effect.
It was absolutely necessary Jim. Absolutely…
Well Don, I had to go to a military installation and have my memory erased so I’m good now. 🙂 You can be harsh sometimes.
You gotta love Warrant!