7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

The town of Belfast hosts their Celtic Festival every year in mid-July and this is brewed [almost] every year for it. The last one I had was the most recent batch, Summer 2014
Bright garnet-peach mix of warm hues with an off-white head perched atop, showing moderate retention. High clarity.
Fruity hop bouquet to the nose, with very light melonskins, buttercream (not diacetyl) malt sweetness and a pinch of crystal malt (iced tea, red berries). It’s certainly interesting and aromatic for a small beer. No alcohol or flaws.
The flavor is startlingly delicious and deep. Wonderfully extracted maltiness shows a depth of richness that you would never guess from a low gravity session beer. The attenuation is high, as well, with fruity and lightly spicy hops adding a mild bitterness to the finish, clearing the palate. Ample carbonation and enough softness to the palate to counteract the crystal malt. Wonderfully drinkable. If only the rest of the English-style breweries in Maine knew how to brew English-style beer....