After my recent foray into a blueberry beer with the Wachusett Blueberry Ale, I picked up another one to see if my impressions were the same. I selected a bottle from Fegley’s Brew Works; partly for the name, the Blueberry Belch and partly for the pretty graphics on the bottle. I have had some experience with Fegley’s in that I had sampled the Space Monkey (a Saison with real raspberries) and the Bourbon Barrel Insidious Imperial Stout at the Opening Tap at the 2013 Philly Beer Week. Having enjoyed one of their fruit beers and a great imperial stout, I thought I’d be pleased with this one. Fegley’s Brew Works (est. 1998) are restaurants/breweries in the Lehigh Valley (one in Allentown and one in Bethlehem). Now, they are operated using 100% renewable energies. I guess drinking their products would reduce my carbon footprint; thus, making my drinking good for the environment. And, creating another win/win situation.
Before we get to my review, here is what Fegley’s has to say about the Blueberry Belch:
Made With Real Blueberry Fruit
Each 15bbl batch is made using 150 pounds of 100% real fruit.
No added sweeteners or flavors.
Blueberry Belch is a fantastic summer session beer that pairs well with poultry and salads, as well as earthy cheeses like camembert and fontina. It goes great with our PA Dutch and German dishes here at Fegley’s Brew Works, and we admit with a smile that we find it to be a hit at brunch with egg dishes, pancakes, waffles and bacon.
With a definite aroma of blueberries, this slightly cloudy (unfiltered real fruit) ale has notes of blueberries that stand out on the initial taste with a pleasing acidity. The fruit flavor follows throughout combined with a satisfying breadiness, and its moderate carbonation brings back the great flavor again…and again...
I found the beer to be…
- Appearance: Cloudy amber with ruby tinges and a lot of beige/pink foam.
- Aroma: Sweet malt, dried fruit and blueberries.
- Taste: Crisp, fizzy with a nice blend of not overly sweet blueberries. There is a nice balance between the sweetness and the tartness of the berry.
- ABV: 4.2%
This was more of a beer with fruit than a fruit beer. It was not quite as refreshing as I had expected and also not as sweet (that is a good thing). As with the Wachusett, I’m not loving this style of beer but Fegley’s has made a better one. I liked the Space Monkey more but that might be a preference of raspberries to blueberries. In any event, this was a well-crafted attempt. If you are looking for something different and a way to reduce your carbon footprint, you might want to give the Blueberry Belch a try.
