Brew Academy

Homebrewing Made Easy: How to Make Belgian Saison with iGulu

Homebrewing Made Easy: How to Make Belgian Saison with iGulu

Belgian Saison is one of those beers that practically screams summer. This farmhouse ale is known for its spicy, fruity notes, high carbonation, pale gold to amber color, and a dry finish–perfect for warm-weather sipping.

And the best part is–you don’t have to stroll the racks in stores just to grab one. With the iGulu brewing system and its Belgian Saison Ingredient Kit, you can enjoy an authentic farmhouse ale at home. Let’s walk through how to make saison with iGulu, and how you can further experiment with it.

What Makes Saison Special

Saison means "season" in French, and the name itself tells us this Belgian ale is traditionally brewed to enjoy during the warmer months. What makes it so refreshing is its light body, lively carbonation, and a dry finish. It simply keeps you coming back for another sip.

Flavor-wise, the yeast used for saison brings out the fruity and spicy notes, which balance nicely with moderate bitterness and alcohol. But what makes it really fun for brewing at home is that saison is like a blank canvas.

Want to toss in some fruit, try dry hopping, experiment with mixed yeasts, or even barrel-age it? By all means, go for it! You can experiment and discover how to personalize each batch to your preferences.

About the iGulu Belgian Saison Kit

Like other iGulu ingredient kits, the Belgian Saison Kit is designed to make brewing fun and simple. It comes with everything you need to make a classic Belgian farmhouse ale at home, so you don’t have to hunt for ingredients in stores or online.

Here’s what you get in the kit:

  • CBW® Golden Light DME (1 lb / 454 g) – Made from malted barley and water, this malt extract is the backbone of saison, and is responsible for its body, color, and subtle sweetness.

  • Corn Sugar (2 x 1 oz / 28 g packets) – Adds extra fermentable sugars to boost carbonation and help your brew achieve an effervescent finish.

  • Dry Brewing Yeast (Saison yeast, POF+) – Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast is perfect for saison, as it brings the signature fruity and spicy notes this beer is known for.

  • Natural Hop Extracts

    • Bittering Extract – Gives just a touch of bitterness to balance the malt and enhance flavor.

    • Aromatic Extract (Hersbrucker) – Hop oil that adds subtle floral and herbal aroma to your brew.

  • RFID Card – A quick scan of the card gives a cue to your iGulu system to start brewing.

A quick allergen disclaimer: the iGulu Saison Kit contains barley (gluten) and may contain traces of wheat or milk.

Brewing with the kit is as straightforward as it gets: fill the fermenter with 116 oz of room-temperature water, add the hop and malt extracts, sprinkle in the yeast, and scan the RFID card to start fermentation. From there, your automated saison homebrew system will take care of the rest.

Whether you’re a first-time homebrewer or an experienced hobbyist, it doesn’t matter. This kit is designed to make the brewing process as simple as it can be while still giving you the freedom to experiment and customize your saison–and we’ll get into how you can do that in a little bit.

How to Brew Belgian Saison with iGulu – Step-by-Step Brewing Workflow

Not sure how to make saison with iGulu? It’s easier than you might think. Here’s the process broken down step by step:

  1. Fill the fermenter – Start by adding 116 oz of room-temperature purified water to your iGulu fermenter.

  2. Add the hop extract – Sprinkle in the bitter and aromatic hop extracts, but don’t stir.

  3. Mix in malt and sugar – Next, add the CBW® Golden Light DME and corn sugar packets.

  4. Sprinkle in the yeast – Now, sprinkle the saison yeast over the surface of your wort.

  5. Seal and start brewing – Close up the fermenter, insert it into the iGulu system, connect the tubing, and start the fermentation by scanning the RFID card or using the manual controls if you prefer a hands-on approach.

From here, iGulu does all the hard work. And within days, you’ll get a crisp, refreshing Belgian Saison, straight from your home brewery.

Why Choose iGulu for Brewing Saison

Brewing a saison at home can be fun, but many factors need to be right, such as fermentation, carbonation, temperature control, and more. In situations like this, iGulu really shines. 

This compact all-in-one 3-in-1 system takes care of the heavy lifting mentioned above. And with Master Mode, it also gives you precise control over every step of the brewing process. It allows you to adjust parameters like temperature, pressure, and carbonation levels, so you still get the final say in how your brew turns out. 

The RFID integration makes brewing almost effortless. Just scan your recipe card, and the system automatically sets everything up for you. 

Want to experiment? The iGulu is perfect for that. You can add fruit, try dry hopping, or explore wild or mixed fermentations–the world is your oyster. The system lets you get creative while keeping the process as straightforward as possible. That way, you can easily brew beer at home regardless of whether it’s your first or fifteenth batch.

Creative Twist Ideas to Enhance Your Saison

One of the best things about saison is its flexibility and creativity. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, there’s so much you can experiment with to personalize this brew to your taste.

Here are some things you can try:

  • Fruit additions—During secondary fermentation, add citrus zest, berries, or even tropical fruits. These flavors complement the yeast's natural fruity notes and add a refreshing finish.

  • Dry hopping—By adding hops late in the process, you can give your saison a subtle floral or herbal aroma, and make it a bit more complex without overpowering the delicate balance.

  • Spices – Try adding peppercorns, coriander, cardamom, or other warming spices. They go well with the yeast’s natural peppery and fruity notes.

  • Mixed or wild fermentations—Experiment with other yeast strains or even wild yeasts to create layered, unexpected flavors. These variations can transform a traditional saison into a unique, new brew.

  • Barrel-aging – If you’re feeling adventurous, age your Saison in barrels or with wood chips. This can give it subtle vanilla, oak, or vinous notes, adding depth and character.

Pro Tips for Seasonal Character

Brewing a saison is as much about technique as it is about ingredients. For that reason, here are some tips to ensure your brew has that classic crisp, refreshing profile: 

  • Water Profile Matters – The minerals in the water can affect the taste of your beer. A slightly harder water profile, with some gypsum added, can enhance the dry, crisp finish that saisons are famous for.

  • Warm Fermentation = Signature Flavor – Saison yeast thrives at warmer temperatures, up to around 90°F. At these temps, it creates fruity esters and peppery, spicy phenolics, the style is known for. With iGulu’s precise temperature control, you can play around with warmer fermentation profiles without worrying about off-flavors or stalled fermentation.

  • Monitor FG and Give It Time – Saison yeast can be unpredictable. If your beer reaches its target final gravity early, consider leaving it in the fermenter for a few extra days to a week. This can significantly improve flavor clarity, dryness, and overall balance.

  • Next-Level Creativity – Once you’re comfortable with brewing basic Saison, you can start experimenting with optional add-ins like fruits, spices, or dry hops. Add fruits during secondary fermentation for fresh, lively notes, or consider barrel-aging for a subtle woody, vinous character.

From Kit to Glass in No Time

In a way, brewing a saison is all about balance. You have tradition on one side, and creativity on the other. With the iGulu Belgian Saison Kit, you get the best of both worlds: a foolproof brewing process and endless ways to put your personal spin on it.


Ready to craft your own farmhouse ale? Grab your Belgian Saison Brewing Kit now and start experimenting with fruits, spices, or wild yeast twists. Don’t forget to share your creations with the community using #iGuluBrew. We’d love to see what you come up with!

FAQ

1. What makes a Saison different from other ales?

Unlike many other ales, saison is designed to be refreshing and highly drinkable, making it perfect for hot weather.

2. What ingredients are in the iGulu Belgian Saison kit?

The kit includes CBW® Golden Light DME, corn sugar, dry saison yeast (POF+), bitter and aromatic hop extracts, and an RFID card for easy brewing. 

3. How long does the Saison ferment in the iGulu brewer?

Fermentation usually takes about 5–10 days, depending on temperature and yeast activity. 

4. Can I customize the recipe with fruit or spices?

Of course! Saison is like a blank canvas. To create a unique flavor profile, you can add citrus zest, berries, dry hops, or spices during fermentation or secondary fermentation.

5. What yeast is included in the kit?

The kit includes Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Saison yeast, POF+), which produces the classic fruity esters and peppery phenolics that give saison its signature flavor.

6. Can I manipulate fermentation temperatures with iGulu to enhance Saison yeast character?

Yes, you can use warmer fermentation temperatures (up to 90°F) to encourage the yeast to produce more fruity and spicy notes. 

7. Should I tweak water chemistry for a true dry Saison finish?

Using a harder water profile with minerals like gypsum can enhance the crisp, dry finish typical of saison.

8. Is the kit gluten-free or allergen-friendly?

The iGulu Saison kit is not gluten-free, as it contains barley (gluten) and may have traces of wheat or milk. 

9. How do I adjust the carbonation level for Saison?

While iGulu automates carbonation, you can fine-tune it by adjusting pressure settings or sugar additions during fermentation. 

10. What cleaning routine does iGulu recommend after brewing?

After brewing, iGulu recommends a thorough rinse and sanitization of the fermenter and dispensing components. Use warm water and mild cleaning agents, which help prevent residue buildup and keep your system ready for the next batch.

 

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