Aristaeus
Agrarian Ales

Unexpected, though not knowing what to expect, I was pleased to see this beautiful toasted chestnut body. Orange and brown highlights converge with beautiful clarity. Above lies a lively white froth that puts up little fight to stick around, but manages a burm throughout the duration.

Acidity is made well known, but what comes from below is intoxicating. Individually, the rye puts on a spicy bread note. The honey, well, sweet honey obviously. Together, they form a brown sugar or molasses like aroma coating dates and fig. There is a bit of a dirty and "catty" finish, but it works.

The first sip confirms the stone fruit and molasses. The dirtiness comes off more as like biting a piece of paper and chewing on it a bit. Brown paper bag to be more precise. It matters. The rye is definitely noticed more in the end contributing a perfect spicy linger. From beginning to end, a sour grape element just a hair above subtle, but constant.

Likewise, the acidity is constant. Sweet, spicy, sour, savory. The finish is difficult to put into words. It is dry from a sharp and lively carbonation along with the fermented out honey I presume, yet still has a contradictory light syrupiness to it.

I knew I was in love with this the second I poured it. Almost Oud Bruin like all around. This was an unexpected surprise. Delicious and unique. So far Agrarian continues to impressive with such offerings that always hold true to that very idea.

Cheers.