Many Wild Ale fans tell us they initially joined Tavour just to get access to The Ale Apothecary. Before us they’d only heard stories of these small batch creations. In fact, if it weren’t for people taking to the interwebs to share their experiences tasting these elixirs or visiting the mysterious Willy Wonka-like brewery (no one goes in, no one comes out), folks might think The Ale Apothecary was made up -- just another Bigfoot myth to come out of the Pacific Northwest. It’s not. These beers do exist and here’s one to prove it:

Today’s Brett Lager, made in collaboration with their GABF award-winning buddies at GoodLife Brewing, offers a rare taste of The Ale Apothecary at a smidgen of the average bottle price.

Aging in Pinot Noir barrels for 18 months gives the beer’s wild cultures time to roam. This develops apricot and lemon aromas laced with a hint of fennel, all wrapped in a deep oaky-vanilla embrace. We got some of the last bottles in GoodLife’s cellar, meaning over 10 months of additional cellaring smooths out the funk and ups the stonefruit ante. The lagering process lends a subtly crisp edge, deftly concealing the hefty 8.5% ABV in this easy-drinking yet complex brew.

Brett Lager is a show piece in any cellar. And at this price, you’ll feel good about stockpiling these puppies for sharing with all your friends, enlightening them to the talents of two brilliant Oregon breweries. And be sure to take your pic next to the bottle and post online so others see that it is possible to find an Ale Apothecary beer!

Rated 4.05 on Untappd