Aspergil Grand Cru
The Brewer's Art

On tap at the Brewer's Art, Baltimore, MD. Served in a chalice. Described as a "Belgian golden spiced ale, hopped with Willamette, and flavored with Calendula flowers and hyssop."

Appearance: Typical of the Brewer's art, this one's served in a chalice, so the faint dollop of head and surface lacing fades away fairly quickly after its poured - its gone by the time I pick it up in fact. The body itself is copper penny clear, a really nice color, and the clarity showcases one or two streams of average size and speed carbonation.

Aroma: Spicy notes dominate the nose, very earthy and herbal - perhaps the hyssop or the Calendula (whatever that is) - but a few other things peek through as it warms. Faint fruity esters and nice phenols - suggestive of mulled apple cider - compliment the above.

Taste: Quite an interesting flavor. The hyssop lends a distinctively bitter, slightly spicy and minty flavor that mingles well with the light, spicy, leafy hopping. Slight spicy yeast notes (as well as a few tart fruit notes, mostly apple and pear) mingle well with both of the above, all floating effortlessly over a slightly sweet, glassy, faintly roasty malt underpinning.

Mouthfeel: Wonderfully smooth, with near perfect Belgian-esque carbonation. Soft, multitudinous bubbles rise slowly, forming a wonderful lifting, light, airy body. Velvety.

Drinkability: An interesting brew, and in a style BA seems to do very well. At 4.9%, this one won't wear on your constitution, though I did find the flloral notes to be a little taxing after a while. Nonetheless, an excellent seasonal from Brewer's Art.

On tap at brewers art

Pours a clear tan/ brown. Nice white head. Very pretty. Smells sweet and malty. Nice touh of yeastiness on the tongue. Some lint hops peaking through. Simple, nice and solid. Tastes as it smells. Hops are strong on the finish. Overall well carbonated, light, very drinkable. Quite enjoyable