For this installment of Tasting Notes, we somehow get the opportunity to combine our love for thrash metal and Saisons thanks to the Megadeth-inspired À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue (Chambly, Québec).

Named after the fourth track on Megadeth’s 1994 Youthanasia album, À Tout le Monde – translating from French to mean “To All the World” or “To Everyone” – was first released in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between Unibroue Brewmaster Jerry Vietz and Dave Mustaine, lead vocalist and founder of the iconic Thrash Metal band Megadeth.  Legends of their respective professions, these two men put their collective creativity to work and brewed a Belgian-style Golden Saison that was dry-hopped to produce hoppy, spicy notes. The finished beer weighs in at an easy drinking 4.5% ABV to provide fans with “a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting you to take another sip.”

À Tout le Monde is available year-round in 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft.  You can find this Classic offering at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution area in the U.S. and Canada.

Alright, kiddos, “fasten up your head belts” because it is time to crack open this bottle, see how loud this stereo can get, and find out if it is possible to headbang our way through these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue

Appearance:  This Saison presents itself as a lemony yellow in color that has some deeper gold tones residing at its center.  When held to direct light, the color intensifies and brightens to become more of a sunshiny yellow. The beer has a touch of cloudiness to it, but tight streams of carbonation can still be observed as they steadily course throughout.  A well-mannered pour produced over two fingers of fluffy, bright white foam that confidently built well over the brim of the glass.  Head retention is good, but the top cap eventually falls to a lasting half finger that drops gobs of lace down on the glass after each sip.

Aroma:  Bright hops spring out of the glass with citrus notes of orange peel, lemon and grapefruit along with just a grace of tropical pineapple.  The yeast quickly takes over with a good mix of earthiness and spice.  The malts quietly support everything from underneath and close out the aromatics with a soft layer of breadiness.

Taste:  Saison yeast takes lead here by throwing down a complex spice character that holds notes of green peppercorn, floral and citrusy coriander, and lemongrass.  This transitions into a gentle earthiness and grassiness that act as the perfect introduction to a hop presence that is rockin’ notes of orange zest, sweet grapefruit and a nondescript tropical fruitiness.  The flavor profile closes with a well-rounded, gently sweet biscuity malt tone that fades softly into the finish.

Mouthfeel:  Medium in body with a milder than expected carbonation level, this Saison has a light, airy texture and casually dries out to offer an incredibly easy drinking experience.  This thing runs the bases on the palate, allowing you to enjoy sweet, bitter and spice sensations.  The 4.5% ABV is ridiculously and awesomely low, further adding to this beer’s quenching ability and refreshment level. Aftertaste is minimal, but there are touches of spicy yeast notes left behind at times.

Final Thoughts:  Everything about À Tout le Monde is beautifully composed and on point.  It is dry-hopped just enough to keep the attention of the hop-obsessed American drinker, but the yeast character still remains big enough to satisfy those who claim allegiance to the Saison/Farmhouse Ale. The flavors and aromatics are just as pronounced as those you would find in a much bigger example of the style, but that low ABV elevates this Saison to an otherworldly, easy drinking height that firmly secures this beer’s status as a daily drinker.  To put it simply, À Tout le Monde just rocks . . . and it needs to find its way into your fridge if it has not already.  Prost!