Archetype Brewing Head Brewer & Co-Owner Steven Anan Talks The Sage Belgian Strong Ale

We spoke with Archetype Brewing Head Brewer & Co-Owner Steven Anan about The Sage Belgian Strong Ale.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I did!

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
Complexity. This beer blooms in a wonderful way as the temperature increases. It starts with a big caramelized sugar note, then morphs into this amalgamation of fig-raisin-spicy-floral-candi-syrupy deliciousness.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
The Sage is the archetype of wisdom and knowledge. Historically, the Sage archetype is one of wisdom, knowledge and power. It represents the innate spiritual aspect of our personality in the unconscious. The Sage is a seeker of truth, and this archetype operates from a fundamental principle that ‘the truth will set you free’. Throughout literature and film, the sage often takes the form of a mentor, someone (or something) who guides the hero on their journey, while at the same time letting the hero choose their own path towards destiny. Yoda, Gandalf, Dumbledore… just to name a few. The artwork is loosely inspired by Pai Mei from Kill Bill. He’s just chilling up in his own little compound, hermit-style, and is a keeper of ancient kung fu wisdom. Like Pai Mei, the more time you spend with this beer, the more you discover its complexities.

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
Back in 2012, Sint-Sixtus released Westvleteren 12 to the U.S. market to help fund an expansion/repairs. A few buddies and I went in on a brick for my brother's bachelor party. We all stayed at this riverfront house out in the sticks in Florida, caught our dinner (bass/catfish/crab) and drank delicious beer all night. Westvleteren ended up being the nightcap for me and it was beyond divine. I’m sure the price tag imparted a positive bias during the drinking experience, but I remember it being truly one of the best beers I’d ever had at the time. I challenged myself to make a beer that reminded me of that night. I don’t remember what Westy tastes like (it all got a bit fuzzy), but The Sage does bring me back there.

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
Crème Brulee for sure or cheesecake. This is a dessert beer, so drink it with dessert.

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