Life on Mars?
Alesong Brewing and Blending received the Best New Brewery Award at the 2017 Oregon Beer Awards. Alesong is new, but is staffed by seasoned professionals. Matt Van Wyk and Brian Coombs met when they both worked at Oakshire Brewing, and started Alesong in 2015 to further explore their interest in barrel aged beers. The Eugene brewery specializes in Belgian-ish wild ales with fruit, but -- like a dummy -- I figured I should start smaller with a Biere de Mars.
Here Comes the Sun is dry-hopped and brewed with citrus and spices. Initially, I was skeptical. I get plenty of yeast on the nose, but very little citrus. White peppercorn maybe, but no lime. The beer is very dry, with almost a tannic tea flavor. You can taste the Belgian influence. It has a familiar farmyard quality most Saisons aim for, but it’s missing something. It’s interesting, but Here Comes the Sun isn’t quite what I was looking for. That being said, I’m excited to see what Alesong can do with some peaches.
