Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Allagash Fluxus

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 7, 2010 7:00PM

We were running around on New Year's Eve stocking up on champagne and snacks when we stopped by LUSH Wine & Spirits University Village location (yeah, we know...) looking for something we haven't had before. And we found it, nestled among the trippels, Imperial IPAs, sour ales and other extreme beers. the label read, "brewed with sweet potatoes and black pepper."

Wha????

Allagash Brewing named this beer "Fluxus" to commemorate its status as the inaugural beer to be made in their new brew house. the word "fluxus" also stands for a state of continuous change. In addition to the aforementioned sweet potatoes and black pepper, Fluxus is brewed using Belgian Pilsner malt and 25 percent rye malt. So you're getting this heavy spice from the black pepper and rye malt, while the sweet potatoes and pilsner balance that spice out with some wonderful sweetness. fluxus is hopped with Brewer's Gold and warrior hops, along with Yarrow, a plant used as a hop alternative back in the day. When the brewing is complete, the beer is then bottle conditioned and carbonated in the methode champenoise style. Don't try to saber the bottle open; it isn't that pressurized. we loved sipping this beer on new Year's Day and beyond with heaping portions of hoppin' john.

The only other place you can find Fluxus at besides LUSH is Hopleaf. It's pretty pricey at both locations: $18 at LUSh versus $30 at Hopleaf. But it is a great way to kick off 2010.