All Ascending Czech-style Pilsner, Sante Adairius (4pk)

About the Brewery

Just off Highway 1 in a Capitola industrial park, Sante Adairius Rustic Ales built its reputation on Belgian-inspired saisons. Homebrewer Tim Clifford and Adair Paterno opened the taproom in 2012 to make the beers they wanted to drink, from tart, funky farmhouse ales to hop-forward IPAs. Paterno, who now owns and operates the brewery, once jokingly called their beers “rustic industrial park ales.” The name fits the address.

The brewery’s signature comes from a house blend of yeasts and bacteria that the founders developed over years of saving the sediment from bottles they loved, tasting the results, and keeping what worked. Former wine barrels give that culture room to develop, but one of the clearest expressions of it is Saison Bernice, which ages slowly in stainless steel. It’s dry and gently tart, with ripe citrus, stone fruit, and a soft texture. West Ashley takes the same tradition in a fruitier direction, aging a saison with apricots in former Pinot Noir barrels. The apricot comes through first, followed by a tang and a little funk.

Sante Adairius has since opened taprooms in Santa Cruz and Oakland, but the original brewery is still at 103 Kennedy Drive. The small brewhouse now has a larger patio, where a crisp, dry Lucybelle makes a good companion to a sunny Capitola afternoon.