Beer of the Weekend #797: Iowa City Brewlab Festbier
The beer of the weekend is Festbier, brewed by the Iowa City Brewlab of Iowa City, Iowa.
Though the brewery’s description said the beer is meant for a stein, I’m using a pint glass. (I don’t feel like filling my one-liter Maßkrug.) The color is clear gold, much like a helles. A finger of tight, bubbly, shiny, beige head leaves a bubbly lacing. The aroma is faint but it smells like a helles with that distinctive grassy scent. There is also a hint of esters. As it warms, a märzen-like character comes into play with scents of caramel and toasted malt. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, and the finish is dry. The flavor is very intriguing with helles grass, floral spice and bitterness, light caramel, and some toasted malt. A pleasing bitterness lingers on the tonsils.
Fun facts about Festbier:
• Style: Munich helles festbier.
• Price: $14 for a 64-ounce growler fill at the Iowa City Brewlab.
• Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
• IBU: 20.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
Though the brewery’s description said the beer is meant for a stein, I’m using a pint glass. (I don’t feel like filling my one-liter Maßkrug.) The color is clear gold, much like a helles. A finger of tight, bubbly, shiny, beige head leaves a bubbly lacing. The aroma is faint but it smells like a helles with that distinctive grassy scent. There is also a hint of esters. As it warms, a märzen-like character comes into play with scents of caramel and toasted malt. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, and the finish is dry. The flavor is very intriguing with helles grass, floral spice and bitterness, light caramel, and some toasted malt. A pleasing bitterness lingers on the tonsils.
Fun facts about Festbier:
• Style: Munich helles festbier.
• Price: $14 for a 64-ounce growler fill at the Iowa City Brewlab.
• Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
• IBU: 20.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
