Wild Heaven Fest Beer, Year 4

Wild Heaven Fest Beer returns for a 4th time (if our drinking memory serves us correctly) this weekend. 

A few years ago, brewery co-founder Eric Johnson debuted Autumn Defense, a rendition of the popular fall lager. In that case, [Defense] was actually ale, with pronounced bright citrus flavors, brewed heavy-handedly with Munich malt. A festbier in spirit, but as Johnson admits – not very traditional. “You’re not a brewer if you’re not experimenting I guess,” Johnson once told us. 

WILD HEAVEN’S 10TH (11TH) ANNIVERSARY PARTY WEEKEND STARTS 9/17

Wild Heaven Fest Beer follows a much more traditional path. This release is a true Marzen lager, leaving the idea of an “ale festbier” behind for good.  Even then, tweaks were in order. Johnson used  Gungeist hops in years 1 and 2 of this release – a European hop of Hallertauer parentage. Ultimately, traditional brewing just wins out and the lager is brewed solely with timeless Noble hops from Germany. 

Brewing Fest Beer after giving up Autumn Defense was a journey of its own. The result is worth tasting, especially as fall looms.

Wild Heaven Fest Beer will be available on draft and 12-ounces cans seasonally starting this week.

Style: Festbier/Marzen
Hops: Grungeist

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: 9/22/18
Latest Return: Early September 2021

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