Fernetical
Mystic Brewery

Pours a cloudy hazy dark maroon red brown with some sediment falling to the bottom, and little to no off-white foam head. Smells minty and refreshing, like menthol, savory herbs, oregano, toasted bready malt, rich dark caramel, clove, black cardamom, cinnamon, sweet spices, roasty chocolate, brown sugar, anise, fennel, dark dried fruit, cola, and some earthy herbal floral pine notes. Tastes really unique, tart, minty, dark and malty with some spices, menthol, slightly tart dried fruits, toasted bready caramel malt, roasty chocolate, brown sugar, dried dark fruit, red grape, savory herbs, sweet spices, oregano, dried parsley, clove, black cardamom, cinnamon, anise, fennel seed, cola, with earthy herbal floral bitterness. Feels medium lighter bodied, slick and smooth with low carbonation. Overall a really nice and interesting fernet-inspired ale.

Very unique and distinct beer - refreshing and minty. Not the best beer, but one-of-a-kind and satisfies the craving when you want a minty beer!

Drank from a 375ml // 12.68 fl. oz. corked and caged bottle purchased at Julio’s Liquors, Westborough, MA
Served in a tulip

The clear, caramel colored body was topped by a billowing, three-finger tall mass of khaki colored froth. Solid retention. The head slowly dropped to a lasting cap and a thick collar. Big streaks of lacing stuck along the glass.

As expected, the aroma was very Fernet inspired. Super earthy and herbal. Huge minty, menthol notes. Wormwood and gentian root were quite noticeable. Loads of lavender and fennel. Some oregano too. Strong spice notes. Cinnamon, cardamom and allspice came to mind. Orange peel was also detectable. Big cola presence as well. This smelled a lot like a Fernet and Coke cocktail.

The flavor was also very reminiscent of a Fernet-infused herbal ale or Scottish gruit. Bit of sweet malt character on the front end before the intense minty, menthol notes kicked in. Big herbal quality. Lavender was most apparent. Spicy in the center. Cinnamon and allspice came to mind. Some dark Belgian ale-like phenols too. Bitter gentian root and wormwood notes appeared as the beer moved along the palate. The mintiness increased on the back and crescendoed in the finish. There was a dry, woody, lingering bitterness too. Some metallic notes came through initially but they dissolved as the beer sat.

Terrific, fluffy mouthfeel. Lighter bodied however for an 11% ABV beer. The liquid contained a fine, fairly aggressive effervescence that frothed up really nicely on the palate.

I am a big fan of Italian digestivos (amari, Fernets, etc.), and this beer definitely captured the essence of these spirits. That said, splitting this bottle was more than enough for me. I am glad I tried this but have no desire to experience it again.

Strongly based on the Italian digestive, Fernet, the brewers of Mystic comprise an ale that departs from the distilled grape culture of Italy and applies many of those spicy flavors to a base beer that seems of dark Belgian saison, strong abbey ale and dry porter- all wrapped in an imperial strength.

Dark brown and showing margins of garnet and ruby, the hazy ale crowns with a swirl of coffee-like creme. Its toasty aromatics are sharp with earthen spice, citrus, shaved woods and an overall soilish brand. Moderate sweetness rolls onto the tongue with a medley of scorched sorghum, light molasses and toasted colas.

As the sweetness gradually drifts, the beer's premiere spices begin to steadily steal the show. Orange peels reveal a curaçao liquor character while the malty remnants of burnt toast, coffee and cocoa carry the bright citrus into a minty middle palate that teases the palate with sarsaparilla and fennel. Burnt cinders and a brandy spice closes the ale with a bitter taste that swirls with both brandy, grappa and Belgian spice.

Peppercorn and an overall broad woodsiness invite aspects of lavender, rosemary and sassafras to capture the imagination of the imbiber as the eleven percent alcohol takes its hold. Swooning with those brandy spices, the finish is medium long and simmers deeply with licorice-type spices and vinous fruit.

sasparilla, burnt cinders, mint, cocoa, fennel, brandy spice,

 

 

Pours a dark red-brown, surprisingly ok head retention for an 11% brew
Aroma is menthol, fresh cut wood, hint of vanilla, a little charcoal and a spot of licorice. More or less spot on for Fernet.
Flavor is a lot less overwhelmingly than Fernet. Menthol is still there in a big way, but it's less tingly than the aroma would suggest. A bit of orange, a hint of the Belgian phenols, maybe some clove and banana?
Alcohol is very well hidden, not nearly as bitter as actual Fernet.
A very solid beer, great experiment. Probably has a broader appeal than Fernet itself. Much more approachable, but still clearly in the same theme. Worth checking out if you like amari.