Flores Solis
Arts District Brewing Co.

As a collaboration with ADBC, I Had Flores Solis at the Imperial Western gastro-pub which is in the famed Fred Harvey Room at LA Union Station. The setting was great for a brett ale to please me. But Brett's big fans will appreciate Flores less. (Also, I was about to request a style change to "saison" as Flores Solis seems like it was intended to go with the oysters at the gastro-pub. But since this ale was added by StoneTrippin', I will defer to his mega-Karma.)

What I like about Flores is that the Brett is not-in-my-face (nor gets lodged into my nose nor coats my tongue.) It is a moderate use of Brett that I'd like to see more of... particularly if the ale (like a saison) is intended to pair with food. Also of interest is Flores' botanicals... which seem to be multiple and is too much work for my buds to sort out. Simplicity might help.

As my first from them, I went on ADBC's website and see that they are only three years old... which explains the lack of maturity in Flores' profile and, almost certainly, its less-than-effective yeast in creating esters. Nonetheless, ADBC is part of the revitalization of the once-down-and-out district adjoining LA's Union Station; making this former immigrant entry point of the 20th Century into a promising 21st Century home for cool Millennials and LA's new future. One of the great social and economic side effects of brewing.

this was easily my least favorite of the handful of arts district beers i recently got to drink on. its a wild saison, highly botanical and interesting, but i dont much care for the fermentation profile here. where the astringency works because its clean in their peach one, it doesnt work hear because its not as tidy, its just kind of sharp, a little stinky and even amateur to me, although better in taste than in smell after it sits in my glass for a second. its pale and a little hazy, not a big head on it, and a piquant nose of white wine vinegar and socks, along with some green pear and mild funk and belgian esters, similar to the peach one i had, but less mature by a long shot, and i didnt find that one to be particularly mature in yeast profile, despite its extended barrel ageing. there are some highlights in the flavor, a cool green peppercorn note thats quite distinctive, a green tea herbaceous thing, cut flowers and potpourri or something, and a fine mouthfeel. i like that its fermentation profile is unique, but in this case unique unfortunately doesnt make it good. its not bad either, but i wanted and expected quite a bit more from this one. love the packaging though!