Hive Alive
Strange Roots Experimental Ales

 

Not going to go too in-depth with this one, because its practically mead. Honey and bourbon barrel mix nicely. The maple isn't ridiculously strong, which is nice, because if it was this would be too sweet. But in a small scale consumption this is smooth and enjoyable with a meal. By itself it might be too much but accompanied by a savory buffer this acts as a nice counterpoint.

 

 

an extremely unique beverage, on the edge of being mead i reckon, but its still grain based. a still bottled wild honey strong ale, in some of the coolest packaging i have seen for a beer, a clear skinny wine bottle with a cork, just gorgeous. the beer inside is murky pale golden in color, almost looks like raw honey, sort of waxy and opaque, no head on it of course being still. the aroma is curious, immediately boozy, but not as sweet as anticipated for all the honey in it. instead it has a little wild funk to it, cool they have this fermentation profile, its subtle in the flavor, but it seems like it would be missing something without it, and as sort of mild as it is, its one of the best features of this beverage. the alcohol is a lot, the honey is floral and herbal, a clover or alfalfa type honey i would think, some grassy and tea character to it, and a simple bready barley malt behind it. its fuller bodied but not sticky, more slick feeling, with some saison esters, peppery notes, and a little drying brett as well. the alcohol is distracting, but i like the drink overall, niche for sure, hardly beer, but really different and innovative, which i what i have come to expect from these guys under either name. thankful to have had this shared with me by a new friend, beer always brings people together. this is truly one of a kind, mead drinkings rejoice!

375 ml bottle

Pours clear honey golden. Ale is still, so no head.

Smells of tart citrus and sweet honey.

Tastes of rich, sweet honey with a pinch of tartness and hints of bourbon barrel. Very much like a mead.

Full body, slightly syrupy. Warms going down.

Interesting spirit-like ale that is basically a mead. Sweet, rich, slow sipper. Pushing the boundary of what you can call a beer. Worth a grab while you can get it.