Monarch
The Brewery Of Broken Dreams

Monarch is deep ruby red and almost clear with glowing ruby highlights. A one-inch, creamy head has a very light, reddish-pink pastel color and holds one-quarter inch for the duration. A fine lace coats the Pretentious Beer Glass Company Crispy Boi Tulip glass. While the beer is quite viscous, it forms a film with no legs.

Red fruits fill the nose with cranberry at the forefront. Currants, cherry and raspberry follow. A sweet and earthy backdrop also allows spicy funk. None of the aromas are shy, except for mandarin orange, which seems to build and fade in repeated cycles. Warmth causes the aromas to become a bit muddy.

The flavor is surprisingly muted, given the aroma noted above. Still, the flavors are full. Cranberry and currant form the center, while grape skin follows. The balance is surprisingly centered between tart, bitter and sweet. The finish is long and dry. Unlike the aroma, warmth helps define the flavors.

A medium body with alcohol well below expectations. The texture is similar to soft wool against fizzy carbonation. Again, this is quite dry, similar to some dry wine.

While simultaneously different and unmistakably a Saison, this beer is a pleasant surprise. It probably is best to sip, as it is extremely relaxing. I imagine this would go perfectly with a lazy summer afternoon.