Flat Rock
Perennial Artisan Ales

 

 

 

this is an exquisite glass of ale, superior by wide margins to almost anything i have had from perennial in this style or range of styles, and a beer that arrants far greater consideration and praise than it is ever likely to receive. brewed either for or with bluestem, which is hands down the best restaurant in kansas city, at least in my now somewhat robust experience. its insane in there, the food is epic, the full tasting dinner is once in a lifetime, and this beer is not far behind whats happening in the kitchen. an oak fermented or rested saison, with strong belgian elements, a lot of mature wood, some wild funk with tremendous depth, and only moderate acidity, more than tame enough to belong on the table with delicate food, and honestly is probably better than most white wines they can recommend in that context! relaxed hazy pale straw look to it, a patient development of smells and tastes here, with lots of sweet oak, white grape, fruity brett, and champagne dry fizziness. its layered and it keeps coming, with a lemony sourness thats not too much, an almost dusty cereal malt profile that mimics some of the lambic types of the old world, and just a regal almost proud character to it, insanely good and some of my favorite beer this year so far. perennial has carved out a pretty special niche here, and this is among their very best. if you have not eaten at bluestem, get it on your list, and make sure this beer is part of your experience there. almost certainly heightened by everything else going on there, but this blew me away!