From Dream to Cult Classic: The fascinating history of Abraxas, celebrated during 'Abraxas Week"

In the St. Louis craft beer scene, few releases are as eagerly awaited as Abraxas. First launched by Perennial Artisan Ales in 2011, this imperial stout has captivated beer lovers well beyond its hometown, earning a cult following with its rich, complex flavors. As the release of Abraxas kicks of with a series of events and releases, it’s the perfect time to dive into the brew’s fascinating backstory and hear from co-owner Phil Wymore about how it all started.

From Blog Post to Beer Icon

Abraxas began humbly as the result of a fan-driven blog contest. “We asked our fans to come up with the next Perennial beer to brew, and the winner would be chosen by our brewers,” Wymore recalls. The winning concept: a bold Mexican Chocolate Stout. At the time, Perennial never imagined this beer would become a flagship stout that put the brewery on the national map.

Naming the beer proved to be a creative challenge. “Naming beers is one of the hardest things we do,” Wymore says. The inspiration for “Abraxas” came from a vivid dream, reminiscent of the swirling spirits on the Santana album cover. “I rushed to work to pitch the name before I forgot it,” he remembers. “The rest, as they say, is history.”

Crafting Complex Flavors

What makes Abraxas special is its ambitious mix of ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla beans. Achieving the right balance is an art. “The challenge with any variant ingredient is making it impactful without overshadowing the others,” Wymore explains. The meticulous process has led to celebrated variations like Barrel Aged Vietnamese Abraxas, where Vietnamese coffee and Saigon cinnamon add layers to the original stout’s profile.

Abraxas Week: A Flavor-Filled Celebration

This year’s Abraxas Week offers fans a chance to experience the beer’s rich history through unique events:

Friday, Nov. 8:

Sample Vanilla Abraxas as well as Vanilla Abraxas Milkshakes.

Saturday, Nov. 9

Coffee Abraxas and Coffee Abraxas Milkshakes

Sunday, Nov. 10

Debuting of the newest variant, Maple Abraxas

In addition to all the Abraxas variants, Abraxas Chili will be available from Perennia’s food partner Sanguchitos beginning on Nov. 8 though Nov. 10.

An Ongoing Legacy

For Wymore, Abraxas is more than just a beer; it’s a symbol of community and connection. “The feedback and excitement each year remind us why we do this,” he says. From its humble origins as a fan-submitted idea to its status as a world-class imperial stout, Abraxas continues to embody the spirit of St. Louis craft beer: bold, innovative, and deliciously complex. As Abraxas Week unfolds, there’s a palpable sense of celebration—one sip at a time.

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