Sante Adairius Rustic Ales Offers Old-World Charm and Next-Level Flavor

Brian York

Brewery Name: Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Type of Brewery: Retail Brewery

​Location: Capitola, CA

Website: http://rusticales.com/
Facebook: Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Twitter: @santeadairius
Instagram: @rusticales

Background: Sante Adairius is next-level craft beer. They're frequently named and discussed on websites, blogs, podcasts, etc concerning the best of the best small-batch breweries. SARA makes mostly Belgian-inspired ales that use a simplicity-done-right approach to make stellar brews that are all humble in flavor and drinkability. Lots of wild yeast, barrel aging, and dozens of styles make this one of the most impressive craft breweries I've been to. Add that to the fact that it's in a quaint little coastal town on Highway 1, and you might just find yourself living the dream.

Growlers: Yes and no. They do offer growler fills, but it seems that it's typically for about half of the beers on the menu. Totally understandable with such small specialty batches, but definitely take a look before you go to check which ones are available for take-out. They also have some bombers available for purchase at the brewery, which helps close that gap a bit and sometimes includes the extra-special specialties.

The Beers: Suffice it to say that there is something in your style at SARA. Doesn’t matter what that style is, because there is almost every kind I can think of available. Here are a few of the highlights that were on tap during my visit:

• Saison Bernice - Farmhouse Saison - Multiple aging sessions, barrel fermented, local ingredients--this is what craft beer done just about as well as possible is like.

 

• Deaf Stewart - Witbier - Not a style I often gravitate towards, but really enjoyed this iteration. Orange zest makes it really pop with freshness.

 

• Lady in Grey - Grisette - Personal Favorite! - I've got little to no experience with grisettes, but this beer was amazing. Oak fermented and deliciously wild.

 

• Simpleton - IPA - Modest middle-proof IPA with Simcoe and Galaxy. Definitely the beer to match a nice Highway 1 drive.
  
  
• Human Kindness - Milk Stout - Dark, full, and incredibly smooth. Rare to find good dark beer on the coast and even more so at a place specializing in saisons. ​

Vibe: This is a place for friends. It's low key and cozy, almost reminiscent of a coffee shop. Lots of rustic benches and chairs made from barrel parts, iron, and logs. SARA describes itself as the type of place where beer can bring people together, and they're surely right. Not the type of place you'll want to go if you're looking for a lot of excitement or rowdiness, but that is most definitely intentional.

Dogs: Dogs welcome and encouraged to hang with at least one who seems to call the taproom home.

Price ($ to $$$$$): $$$$. Pours go for about 6-8 dollars each, which is consistent with most high-quality beer in California. Growlers and bottles are pricey, likely based in part on the limited production. Half-pours are offered for $4-5 each and are fairly generous.

Food: No food served at SARA, but plenty of different beers to make you forget about eating!

Final Thoughts: SARA brews beer that makes you feel fancy. These are bottles you show up with in place of wine or covet a growler to show off to fellow beer fans. It’s just about the pinnacle of craft beer that utilizes Belgian styles and components such as barrel aging and multiple fermentation. A must stop if you’re anywhere near, but definitely best to do with a fresh palate and no hurry to be in.

​-- York