What to have with Thanksgiving turkey...and garlic and spuds, and roast Brussels Sprouts - and parsnips...and pear and ginger pie. Stuffed and wrapped figs, too. What a feed - but what to drink? I wanted something less than a tripel, less malty than a barley wine or dubbel and without the hops of a big bomb IPA. All indicators led to a saison. This one, new to me, bottled 30 July 2005, read best before three months ago but, at 7.5%, what is even a year or two over the line? And in any event remember what they say: it's not off, it's Belgian.

Tiny Beirbrouweij De Glazen Toren's Saison d’Erpe Mere pours a cloudy yellow under and stiff undulating rich head that resolved to a white foam and rim. Plenty of spice on the nose, it's equally rich but less spice-forward in the mouth compared to Fantome. But plenty good nonetheless: cream of wheat, lemon citrus, white pepper and a hint of nutmeg - with maybe even a little banana cream. The hops give a twiggy tone with a bit of black tea astringency at the finish. A fabulous match with our harvest dinner.

That 2% of BAers are bewilderingly unhappy again. More saisons here.