Upright Six
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Tasting Notes
Upright Six pours with the kind of gentle funk and floral character that defines a well-made farmhouse ale — dried hay, lemon zest, and a faint earthiness from the yeast. On the palate it's moderately dry with a grainy wheat backbone, light peppery spice, and a subdued fruitiness that leans toward pear or green apple. The body stays lean without feeling thin, and the finish is pleasantly dry with a lingering herbal note. It's a restrained, well-balanced example of the Pacific Northwest farmhouse scene.
About the Brewery
Upright Brewing is based in Portland, Oregon, and was founded in 2009 by Alex Ganum. The brewery built its reputation on Belgian and French-influenced farmhouse ales, naming its core lineup by ABV (Four, Five, Six, Seven) rather than by cute marketing names. Upright has long been a fixture in Portland's craft scene, known for barrel-aged projects and collaborations that push into funky, sour, and wild-fermented territory without losing a grounded sense of craft.
Food Pairings
The dry, spicy character of this saison works well with roasted chicken seasoned with herbs like thyme and tarragon, where the beer's earthiness mirrors the aromatics. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert are a natural match because the beer's gentle funk complements the rind without overwhelming the cream. Mussels steamed in white wine and shallots pair cleanly, as the carbonation and citrus notes cut through the briny richness. A simple grain salad with lemon vinaigrette also holds up well, leaning into the beer's own grainy, tart qualities.
Style Guide
Saison originated in the French-speaking Wallonia region of Belgium, historically brewed in winter to sustain farmworkers through the harvest season. The style is defined by its dry finish, assertive carbonation, yeast-driven spice and fruitiness — often pepper, clove, citrus, and stone fruit — and a body that leans lean rather than full. ABVs typically run from around 5% to 8%, giving it range without a fixed gravity signature. It sits apart from witbier by its dryness and fermentation complexity, and from Belgian golden strong ales by its rusticity and lower sweetness.