Achillea
Propolis Brewing

a really neat beer from these guys, 2014 vintage i believe, brewed as a belgian dubbel but with some cool herbs and botanicals added, including yarrow and thyme and hyssop. neat idea, and neat to see a wild belgian style like this, not sure how many funked up dubbels i have encountered out there. it pours deep amber with a red and brown back and forth, not much head at all from the tap, stillish looking though, not real lively after the initial pour. aroma of funky tartness and red wine vinegar, with a little of the culinary herb in there, but pretty subtle really as far as it goes with the thyme. the others are less familiar to me in the raw, so their contribution ends up more like added complexity to a good dubbel rather than a specific something i know. the flavor is great, starting with some nice grain richness and maybe an added sugar, hints of back treacle or molasses, licorice, and candied sugar. thyme for sure, but more in a dessert than a savory sense, and some nice funk with the flander type acidity. its a cool mix of things, maybe a little less complex than i thought it would be, but a more developed yeast profile than quite a few of theirs now have had, and a cool take on a style that i dont reckon gets played with enough. caramel, belgian esters, well chewed cigar, and even aronia or elderberries. astringent for a second like that. fun and different and good. stoked to have these guys in colorado now!

 

 

 

Opens without a pop, pours an effervescent cola color with a sliver of tan head. Nice viscious, look, zero head retention & lacing

S: Brown bread, fig & woody notes

T: Toasty, a little sourness, & dryness up front, some dirty mushroom favor as well, a touch of Raspberry as well. A little black cherry, woody herbs, funk & mushroom a whisper of toffee, a little sourness & a touch of anise, plus grassyness as well as this warms. Finishes herbal & woody, with a touch funk & dryness with some figgy & jammy notes

MF: Medium body with faint carbonation, warming

A pretty good take on the style, I find these guys a bit pricey, so not a beer I would go out of my way to buy again, but well worth a try ; like most, I am sure it is a much better deal on tap

 

On tap. Pours murky copper/barely light brown with a fingernail head that lingers but doesn't leave lacing. Nose of dark fruit, earthy hops, and spicy herbs. Taste is a little funky. There's fruity esters, dark fruit that is tangy (maybe a date or plum), earthy body, and slightly spicy finish. The multiple layers work but each get a chance to show off. Medium-light body and medium carbonation with the alcohol making a quick cameo.
It's definitely a deep and interesting beer. The fruit and earthiness work together decently and is very drinkable for the ABV. It's not as sweet as a dubbel, but it makes a wonderful entry in the saison category.

 

 

Had on tap at Propolis Brewing. The body is dark brown with a half finger creamy white head. Aromas are very interesting, there's some dark fruit, mint, licorice, mild chocolate, and fresh herbs. Flavors consist of the same. The feel is dry, surprisingly light bodied with mild carbonation, although a bit watery.