Festbier
San Juan Island Brewing Co.

 

Pours a slightly cloudy dark straw color. No retention or lacing on this one, head was quick to come and go.

This beer has is very bready, honey, floral, and slight grain husk flavors as well. It’s at first very pleasantly full on the bread it’s followed by the honey and the floral comes out in the aftertaste. The grain to me shows in the finish on the mouthfeel it the form a really minor bitter note.

It drinks very nice, medium body but very easy drinking. Very full malt feel that quickly disappears after the sip.

Really enjoyed this beer, the appearance didn’t have me that excited but as I drank it down I liked it more and more.

 

Clear yellow amber brew with plenty of foam in the chalice. Very plain and clean. It's highly drinkable and it's disappearing as I try to think how to review it. The hops are an interesting European taste. Flavors of straw and lemon and even a hint of gingerbread, somehow. It's lighter and less malty than a lot of Oktoberfest style beers but well balanced and quaffable. You wouldn't misake it for a Blonde Ale though. From the 16 oz can purchased at Elizabeth Station.

Poured into a Chuckanut pint glass. Pours a medium, coppery amber with a quarter finger white head with good retention and light lacing. Aroma of grainy, lightly husky malt, grassy hops with a little spiciness. Flavor is slightly sweet grainy malt, grassy hops, a little toffee and citrus. Finishes a bit thin, but with good residual malt flavor. Medium bodied with light creaminess. A good domestic take on the fest beer style, with a little sweetness to cut the husky grain, which I like in a festbier. Nothing really stands out, but a nice, authentic tasting fest beer and a good introduction to the brewery.