Art History (2023)

I picked up the fastenbier and I think it’s fantastic (fastastic?). It’s has all the smooth , toasty malt character I love in dark lagers. I’m not really a fan of rauchbiers, but here the smokiness is light and more in the finish, and really adds to the tastiness of the beer. Definitely worth a purchase if you come across it. I’ll happily finish my 4 pack.

 

bitterpops in lakeview. Many of my local city shops: beermiscuous, beer temple, bottles and cans, should have it according to the ‘gram.

 

I got my 4pk at Binny's Montgomery for $11.99 only after a friend was raving about it on tap today at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle.

The description:
ART HISTORY FASTENBIER
Smoked Franconian-Style Lenten Lager
A locally brewed smoked lenten lager inspried by the smoked beers of Bamberg, Germany. Medium Body, amber-brown in color, lightly smoky, with notes of toasty malt, and a kiss of Hallertasu hops. Prost!

 

I'm generally in a non-hazy IPA headspace lately, for disclosure.

I had Isla on draft at the Hopleaf this week. It's a New England IPA from Art History.

It's also the best tasting example of the style I've had in a dog's age.

Bursting with citrus brightness but softened with a pillowy mouthfeel, balanced with a mild, grassy dryness.

Pretty much the Platonic Ideal of the style. I wonder if it was packaged?

 

I gotta say, I’m (surprisingly) not loving Varitace. The roasty notes are just too strong, bordering on burnt. It’s kinda like the beer equivalent of Starbucks coffee. Maybe just a bad can?

 

Was perusing the beer aisle at Binny's Oak Brook and noticed that they have a pretty nice selection of Art History's brews. Didn't know they brewed a NE style hazy called Major. Decided to give it try and was really impressed with it. Very well balanced with some tropical fruit notes, and just enough hop bite and dankness.

 

We got a pretty good sized Art History drop down at the Champaign Binny's earlier this summer. Really enjoyed Levitace and Gravitace. I sorta recall being pissed near the end of DLD that Gravitace was kicked and it was only stouts, BWs, pastry stuff, and IIPAs on the guest taps near the end of the night.

 

If they sent Art History Minor down your way, I think it’s one of the best pale ales I’ve had this year. They do more than lagers well. Sneaky good hops, clear and hazy

 

Just got an email from Binny's about a rye Baltic porter collab called Wry Expression... anyone tried this yet? Sounds delightful, and Art History is definitely one I'd trust to do it right.

 

Binny's

 

Yea, had it on draft Tuesday evening. It’s excellent. Chocolatey malt with some nice rye adding depth. It’s got some body to it. With a few more ABVs, this thing would be perfect for some whiskey barrels

 

Just wanted to chime in to agree - Wry Expression is really a wonderful beer. At $12 a 4-pack it’s a must try. Really lovely, no nonsense, balanced beer. Bravo.

 

I ended up getting two 4-packs this weekend on @beardown2489's recommendation, and I'm having one now. Totally agree with both of you. I generally love Baltic porters and rye stouts, so for me, this works very well. I will probably pick up some more the next time I drive up for a Deep Woods release if it's still on shelves.

 

I've really slowed down beer buying for the usual reasons. I went out to specifically buy Wry Expression after work today. What a fantastic beer. Thanks for the recommendation everyone.

Also, it was right by the new batch of Orin. So I bought that too. Old habits die hard sometimes.