Chicagoist's Beer of the Week: Half Acre's "Ambrosia"

By Karl Klockars in Food on Mar 18, 2011 7:40PM

Half Acre couldn't have picked a better time to release Ambrosia unto the world, since weather for the last couple days in Chicago have been sweet, sweet bliss and a gift from the deity of your choice. On the Half Acre blog, head Acre-er Gabriel Magliaro writes, "Spring - this is for you." As such, it makes perfect sense to dive into this new release as we get ready to welcome the season, and good weather was a great reason to walk to the brewery and grab a bomber for just shy of $8.

"Actual" ambrosia refers either to the food or drink of the gods, or to a gooey, creamy, marshmallow-y fruit salad. The 8-bit winged pig-monkey thing on the label* appears to be hoovering in the latter, but here it's a wheaty, citrusy ale brewed with oranges and hibiscus. Pouring a deep blood-orange color with a light head, the Ambrosia is a potentially session beer at 6% ABV and light-bodied enough for a long afternoon of watching some spring training baseball. Delicately flavored with just enough of the orange and hibiscus pushing through the wheaty backbone, it's a little bitter, a little tart, and a little earthy. It's early spring.

We've waxed poetically about Oberon Season and its yearly release in the past, but Larry Bell can hang onto his wheat ale for another month or two. We'll likely return to this particular brew at least once more before diving into the Bell's summer standard later this spring. Oberon season lasts for months. Ambrosia will be far more limited.

Half Acre's Ambrosia is Chicagoist's Beer of the Week.

Still thirsty? Check out GuysDrinkingBeer.com for continuing news and reviews throughout the week from the craft beer world.

*Does any brewer have better labels than Half Acre? From Big Hugs to the Freedom of '78 to this, all fantastic designs.