Zodiac Ophiuchus
The Brewer's Art

Served on tapic in a nonic at the brewpub.

A: The steam beer is a clear golden coppery color, accentuating a stream of bubbles in the center of the glass. A thin head accompanied the ale and was soon completely gone.

S: The nose is malty, chewy with plenty of breads. The twist is a fruity ale yeast aroma that arises above the malts. An earthy hoppiness provides balance.

T: The chewy malts have a brief moment in the sun, a bready wonderland of pale grains. Immediately following the malts, noble floral hoppiness and fruity ale yeasts arrive. The hops don't linger as long as the yeast does, adding an apple and grape flavor to the ale. A pleasant quaffer based on the yeast strain alone, although the hops could use a little more zing.

M: The mouthfeel is both fruity and chewy, grapenuts with some, well, grapes. I'm glad we lucked into this new, bastard zodiac.

D: At 4.4%, the ale is drinkable, very much so in fact. One glass does it justice but nothing wrong with a follow-up.