Festival Ale
Mainstay Independent

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Mainstay Independent
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Ale
ABV:
7.6%
Score:
+9 ratings needed
Avg:
4.2 | pDev: 0%
Ratings:
1 | reviews: 1
Status:
Inactive
Rated:
Nov 15, 2019
Added:
Apr 26, 2019
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
A Belgian inspired beer brewed to celebrate the Philadelphia Holiday Festival. This amber brew is the perfect partner for any holiday gathering.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Mainstay Independent "Festival Ale"
750 ml brown glass bottle without production codes or freshness dating
$15 at the brewery on 2 November 2019

Notes via stream of consciousness: It's a hazy amber in color beneath a fair sized head of off-white foam that gives off a fresh, fruity (apples, berries, orange), and gently spicy aroma with a fair bit of Belgian yeast phenols. The flavor follows, and although it's both fruity and spicy the malt still comes through with a grainy/bready character and a nice touch of sweetness. I'm not finding any hops but neither did I expect to. I can't tell if the spiciness is entirely from the yeast or if there's somehing added, but that's a good thing. Americans often tend to think of Belgian beers as spiced beers but they're really only spiced just to add a subtle effect. There's a hint of alcohol but no more than you'd expect from a beer of 7.5%, and it actually adds to its character. the bitterness is median and along with the alcohol it leads to a dry and gently spicy finish that lingers. In the mouth it's medium bodied and crisp with a moderate, fine-bubbled carbonation. From the looks of the base of the empty bottle it seems bottle-conditioned, although that could be just sediment. In the end it's an interesting beer that's marketed as a festival beer but it's one that doesn't go too spicy or strong. I could easily see having a few of these at a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and even well beyond that. Nicely done.
Review #6,786
Nov 15, 2019