Brewery: Anchorage Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 6.5%
Style: Farmhouse Saison
Other Notes: Ale fermented in oak tanks with brettanomyces

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Saison brewed with 100% Mosaic hops. Fermented with Saison yeast and 2 strains of Brettanomyces. Dry hopped with Mosaic hops. Bottled conditioned for natural carbonation. Delight in different…

Sameness is easy, predictable, accepted. Different, however, poses a challenge, gives way to debate, stimulates thought. The ancient art form of Mosaic is founded on the idea of creating splendor utilizing contrasting elements: jagged edges situated (un)comfortably next to rounded perfection, darkness clarifying the light, hammered down broken glass. It is these contradictory, different processes that create beauty. So I invite you to open your mind to contrast, engage in the experience, be perplexed, question the intricacies, and revel in this liquid Mosaic that is staking its claim to be different. Consider the unapologetic bitterness of Old Man Hop as he extends his gnarled fingers, taking a frictional grasp of your tongue. Flirtatiously nudging him aside, in bounces the charming singsong of his Hoppy Mistress greeting her guests with a fresh-cut platter of aromatic tropical fruity sweetness. Don’t mind if I do. Bring your awareness to the approach of the rustic, shady Saison Yeast Character, whose strands hang low over his downcast eyes, as he shyly mumbles “‘Sup Dude.” Contemplate the tapping of your feet, and allow a serious boogie down session with the jazzed up Effervescent Chap as he’s high flying, and break dancing on your taste buds. Observe as the militant invasion of the feared Brettanomyces troupe files in, offering proud salute to the sensory shape shifting that will slowly escort you to the artful transcendence of its Mosaic mission. Go ahead, drink in the scenic route through this fluid medley of colorful characters. Delight in different.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.02
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.8

Intro: A 750ml corked and caged bottle, batch #3, bottled in May 2016, poured into a Holy Mountain tulip glass.
Appearance: A hazy golden orange colour with a thin white head that dissipated fairly quickly but left some decent lacing.
Aroma: Brett, tropical and citrus fruit, mango, grapefruit, lime zest, oak, with maybe some floral notes.
Taste: Lightly sour, moderately bitter, mango, papaya, citrus pith, funky, brett, damp wood, grass, peppery spice, with a floral finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied with moderate to high carbonation.
Overall: Easy drinking and enjoyable as long as you like brett. 5 years in the bottle was probably longer than I intended to hold it for, and while the brett is still strong in this one, the Mosaic has certainly dropped off somewhat.