Autarkia Shii-take Bier was an experimental blonde ale from Bierbrouwerij Oijen, brewed with shiitake mushrooms. This North Brabant brewery, founded in 1989, is known for crafting specialty beers using traditional, artisanal methods. The beer stood out through its unconventional ingredient choice, with umami-rich shiitake mushrooms lending a distinctive aromatic profile to the blonde base.

This was a bold experiment in specialty brewing—more a curious moment in Dutch craft beer than an everyday pint. The combination of blonde malts with fermented mushrooms created a complex, unexpected flavour that challenged conventional beer appreciation.