On Tuesday, November 27, Rustico will break out almost 10 strong drafts from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. DFH has shipped the very first kegs of their newest Ancient Ale, the 8% Birra Etrusca Bronze Ale to the Ballston beer bar.

Birra Etrusca Bronze Ale is based on a beverage that may have been enjoyed by the Etruscans of Ancient Italy around 800 BC. For this one, Sam Calagione traveled to Italy with Dr. Pat McGovern where they met up with Teo and Leo (Sam’s buddies from Baladin Brewery and Birra Del Borgo respectively) and researched ingredients from various Etruscan dig sites. The result of their research is a strong ale containing an Italian heirloom grain called Cappelli Senatore, along with pomegranate juice, raisins, and hazelnut flour, together with three types of honey: chestnut, wildflower, and clover. The brew was then spiced with several hop flowers, Gentian root and tree resin (think Myrrh) in the kettle. To simulate fermentation in a bronze vessel (which possibly would have been what the Etruscans used), DFH actually tied a bronze plate inside their modern stainless fermenter which was suspended in the wort as it fermented. An interesting story and process, per usual with the Milton, Delaware craft beer mainstay.