Fest Bier
Black Hat Brew Works

It took a moderately strong pour to reach a finger of light beige fizzy foam with short retention and sliding spots of lace. Clear copper-straw color with a hint of amber.

Bready malt (baked white, cracker and toasted wheat) greets the nose with above average floral/herbal hops. Alcohol is noticeable but at 7.5% ABV I'm not complaining.

Balanced neutral taste with mild hop bitterness, bready sweetness is matched by the toasted wheat. A bit of toasted grain and grass with mixed nuts appear during the middle. Alcohol is noticeable and becomes a little astringent as it warms. The finish is semi-dry and fast with bitterness rising to above average, the aftertaste lingers on-spicy and wheaty.

Medium body with below average carbonation, balanced and drinkable but not quaffable. It has some Festbier qualities that seem to cause this one to miss the mark is some ways. I'd give it a 65% Marzen/35% Festbier.

 

Marzen beers are my favorite seasonal and I've tried all that I've come across in my travels this year. Found a can of this previously unknown (to me) Black Hat version at a store in MA and rate it as the best Festbier I've tasted this year to date. Not distributed in my NH home area but I'll hopefully find it still available on my next trip south of Boston.