Belexes
Fegley's Bethlehem Brew Works

Tipping this glass to Gentle Giant's Gary Green, because he is mostly responsible for this year's best set at NEARfest in Bethlehem (imo). And this brew, bearing the name of a Kansas song, was made just to honor the festival that brings all kinds of prog nerds to the town each year. I say "nerds" affectionately, as I am one of them. We are legion.

Comes out of the growler with a vengeance, in terms of producing a loud, crackly head. The head doesn't last very long, and is thin and soapy when it's there. Color is a golden-peach sort of thing, with only the mildest bit of haze keeping it from total clarity.

No one at the brewery would commit to a style other than "Belgian ale," but the nose and flavor are clearly very much in the tripel style: fruity, spicy and alcoholic. The nose favors the fruit and alcohol, which are faint at best, and there's clearly a Belgian yeast strain at work, or one that very much mimics the real deal.

The flavor brings on big notes of peach, pear and apple, some white pepper spiciness, flowery notes, herbal tea, and really earthy yeast (soil/mineral). Alcohol keeps a hold on itself but threatens aftershave (never gets there, thankfully). Overall there's lots of sweetness to be had, but it's kept in check well enough that it stays entirely drinkable. Very clearly Belgian, very clearly a tripel.

Good balance of carbonation zing and stickiness. Round and medium-bodied.

I saw Kerry Livgren of Kansas eating at the Bethlehem Brew Works when his band Proto-Kaw played the festival in 2005...I wonder if that had any influence on the naming of this beer? It's pretty good, sufficiently Belgian in character in many ways, but worthy of the "Belexes" name? Maybe not, but great name anyway!