If you know Verdant Brewing Co., you probably think of hazy IPAs, big hop hits, and juicy pale ales. But every now and then, this Cornish powerhouse drops something a little more traditional—and that’s exactly where Festbier comes in. Designed to bridge the gap between summer and autumn, this 5.5% ABV Munich-style lager is Verdant’s take on a German classic, brewed just in time for Oktoberfest season.
I cracked open a can of their 2024 release to see how this seasonal sipper stacks up—and whether it holds its own next to their better-known haze bombs. Spoiler: it’s not a headline act, but it’s a solid supporting player in Verdant’s lineup.
Let’s break it down.
A Brief History of Verdant Brewing Co. & Festbier
Verdant Brewing Co. was founded in 2014 by a group of homebrewers in Falmouth, Cornwall, with a passion for hop-forward beers inspired by the American craft scene. Over the years, they’ve carved out a serious niche for their New England-style IPAs and juicy pale ales, becoming one of the UK’s go-to names for haze lovers.
But they’ve never been afraid to step outside their comfort zone. Every now and then, they release more traditional styles—think stouts, lagers, and, in this case, Festbiers.
Verdant’s Festbier made its debut around 2023, offering a malt-forward break from their usual hop onslaught. It’s brewed with Bestmalz Munich malt, Hersbrucker hops, and fermented with their house lager strain (WLP833, if you’re curious). The result? A clean, bready lager with just enough hop bitterness to keep things interesting.
For 2024, they’ve kept the formula pretty much the same: 5.5% ABV, crystal-clear presentation, and a flavour profile that leans on malt without going full Märzen sweet. It’s designed as a nod to German Oktoberfest lagers but through a modern, clean Verdant lens.
The Pour
Right out of the can, Verdant Festbier is a stunner. It pours a rich golden amber, sitting somewhere between a pale lager and a Märzen in colour. The clarity is excellent—this isn’t one of their hazy offerings—and there’s a steady stream of carbonation bubbling up from the bottom.
A fluffy, off-white head forms easily with a moderate pour and sticks around for a good while, leaving delicate lacing down the glass as you sip. Visually, it nails that classic lager aesthetic, with just a touch more depth in colour to hint at the malt richness underneath.
It’s the kind of beer you want to drink out of a stein in a beer garden—but it still looks great in a Willi Becher or a tulip glass at home.
Aroma & Taste
Aroma
The nose on this one is all about subtlety and balance. You get an immediate hit of fresh-baked bread, light honey, and a bit of cracked grain—very classic Munich malt territory. It’s got that warm, inviting aroma that makes you want to dive right in.
There’s also a whisper of herbal hops—think dried wildflowers, a little grassy bitterness, and a touch of lemon peel. But it’s restrained. The lager yeast keeps things clean, with no fruity esters or sulphur getting in the way.
Verdant didn’t try to reinvent the wheel here, and that’s a good thing. The aroma is crisp, classic, and in perfect step with the style.
Taste
On the palate, Festbier is smooth, malt-driven, and incredibly drinkable. The front end is sweet without being sugary—more biscuit and crusty bread than caramel or toffee. As it moves across your tongue, the malt gets a little toastier, with hints of light cereal grain and toasted cracker.
The hop presence is subtle but important. Hersbrucker hops add a nice herbal bitterness that cuts through the malt just enough to dry out the finish. It’s not a bitter beer by any stretch, but it doesn’t end flabby either.
Mouthfeel-wise, it’s medium-bodied with a nice balance of soft carbonation and crisp edges. It doesn’t feel heavy or chewy—more like a polished lager that invites a second pour.
My Verdict – 3.75 out of 5
So here’s the thing: Verdant Festbier isn’t trying to blow your mind. It’s not bursting with hops, packed with adjuncts, or doing anything experimental. And that’s kind of the point.
What it does do is provide a well-made, easy-drinking lager with enough malt complexity to keep things interesting and enough balance to fit the season. It’s a beer that makes sense in August or October. It pairs well with grilled food, cooler evenings, or just a lazy afternoon in the garden.
That said, if you’re going into this expecting Verdant’s usual juicy hop-forward character, you might be left wanting a bit more oomph. For me, the malt could’ve had a tiny bit more depth, and the finish a bit more snap. It’s super clean—but maybe a little too safe.
Still, for a brewery that built its name on hazy hop monsters, this is a welcome curveball. If you’re into traditional styles with a modern craft polish, it’s worth picking up a can.
Leave a Reply