The Illusion of Finality
Keeping Together Brewery and Beverage Garden

The Illusion of FinalityThe Illusion of Finality
Beer Geek Stats
From:
Keeping Together Brewery and Beverage Garden
 
New Mexico, United States
Style:
Belgian Saison
ABV:
8.4%
Score:
+6 ratings needed
Avg:
4.38 | pDev: 2.05%
Ratings:
4 | reviews: 2
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 15, 2023
Added:
Mar 17, 2022
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
The Illusion of Finality is an 8.4% ABV rye saison made with Michigan cherries, chamomile, black pepper, and conditioned with honey. This beer packs a dark red fruit punch—aromas of tart cherry, wild strawberry, and red plum dominate the nose, supported by notes of vanilla and background nutmeg- and peppercorn-like spice. The chamomile and honey intermingle, creating complexity with a delicate floral overlay on the bright fruit profile. On the palate, flavors of cherry compote, fresh cranberry, and new world Pinot Noir are prominent, with notes of orange marmalade, bitter almond, and dandelion greens lingering in the background. The beer presents with soft acidity and restrained bitterness. Low level Brett funkiness underlies the flavor profile, offering an interesting counterpoint to the brighter elements in the beer. Though the medium body and the depth of fruit character gives the perception of sweetness, the beer is dry and balanced.

A note from KT Artist Jessica Deahl @jdeahl — "This art is meant to reflect the beer’s sleepy, dreamy, calm qualities. It’s set in a field of immersive, deep black punctuated by moments of white hand drawn lines that aren’t overly precious. A quiet human moment in the abyss, a pause for reflection and rest."
Recent ratings and reviews.
 
Rated: 4.5 by bigred89 from Maryland

Oct 15, 2023
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Mostly opaque orange/brown appearance.

Minimal off-white head; strong lace.

Cherry candy & fernet notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Big oak flavors up front, with cherry, honey & black licorice adding accents.

BOLD and certainly not boring...but a bit too extreme for transcendence.
Jul 05, 2022
 
Rated: 4.43 by 4DAloveofSTOUT from Illinois

Apr 24, 2022
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.35/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Draft at the Keeping Together going away party at Half Acre, served in a KT stemware glass. Dark reddish orange with an ample fingers width of foam, leaving a nice collar of lacing behind. Bright clarity and attractive color.

Aroma hints at dark fruit and leathery Brett, yeast forward and complex.

Taste is mildly tart with black cherry skins and strawberry compote, mild undercurrents of leathery Brett funk and pepper adds complexity and dovetails nicely with the tart fruit elements. Rye adds some malt complexity to the mix but doesn't stand out on it's own very much. Medium bodied and effervescent with finely textured froth. Acidity is manageable and well balanced.

Very nice mixed-ferm saison, elegant and complex. Sadly also the last release from Keeping Together during Swanson's Chicago tenure. Hoping to visit the future brewery someday in Santa Fe, NM.
Mar 29, 2022