Athena #5
River Styx Brewing Company

First of the oenobeer I've tried.

16 oz can acclimated to 45°F and poured into the closest wine glass I have to a Riesling glass. (This particular beer uses Riesling grapes, so I researched to find that Riesling is served between 45° and 50°F, additionally, I wasn't sure what glass to use, so I went with the wine glass.)

Pours a hazy, slightly darker straw color with a 1.5 finger, quickly dissipating, white head, leaving inconsistent lacing.

Initial aroma is yeasty fruit, I'm reminded most of golden raspberry and lager, has that classic beerish bready smell. After agitating there's a big hit of yeast , almost a funk, accompanied by a cooling smell.

Initial taste before swallowing is somewhat wine like and there's some sweetness, a little like grape juice, and a little malty. After swallowing there's a wine dryness immediately, with some astringency. This is accompanied by the same fruity/malty sweetness, which is light and pleasing. The wine really comes out most in the immediate aftertaste, expressed largely right after the breath immediately out after swallowing, it's a little much initially but the intensity fades quickly and becomes mellow, blending nicely with all the beer tastes. This is brewed with strawberry and lavender, and while I do taste them, they're faint, and I doubt I would pick them up if I didn't know they were there. Bitterness is low, likely due to the presence of grapes, being replaced by dryness. It's quite refreshing as well. I must note that as I got further in I couldn't help but wish it was a little more beer and less wine, but excellent nonetheless.

Mouthfeel is a little astringent, as previously stated, as well as rather juicy/pulpy, which I attribute to the haziness, because it's like the texture of hazy IPAs I've had. Flows nicely and has that cloudy feel.

Overall it's very very good. The aroma promises something enjoyable, and the taste delivers nicely. A marvellous blending of dry, sweet, cooling, refreshing, fruity, yeasty, and floral. Very enjoyable.

This one is not always in stock but I will certainly purchase again. It feels like a great beer to enjoy 2 of on a warm spring afternoon, lounging back with my hair tied up, could also be perfect for a picnic or a laid back day with friends. I imagine this would be a great way to start appreciating wine as a beer drink, or a tremendous way to start appreciating beer as a wine drinker. I would absolutely recommend it to the latter.