Review: Perennial Aria

Perennial Aria
7.2% ABV

Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, MO

25.4 oz btl

Served in Burley Oak tulip glass
No date on bottle

Reviewed on 10/4/13

This Belgian style ale pours a hazy amber-tinged color with a bubbly white head that has decent retention. Good lacing.

Smell has hops, wheat, citrus, banana, spice, breadiness, some malt, slight butteriness.

Taste consists of hops, breadiness, banana, cloves, spice, citrus, some banana, slight malt, slight floral.

Mouthfeel is fairly smooth on the palate with some slight dryness and a hint of bitterness.

Overall, this is an interesting tasting ale that has a good if mostly typical profile of flavors. This ale was fermented with Brettanomyces, which comes through in the flavor if somewhat mildly.  It's a bit like a Duvel, with a spicier kick.  As it warms up, the spices come through more as the breadiness and citrus/banana recede somewhat. Perennial is a bit exclusive to find in Maryland (found this at Dawson's Liquors in Severna Park).  This one seems like a good starting point.

My score: 91