Mayday Hills Flanders Red

◎ Appearance

Deep ruby red with auburn highlights, presenting a clear and brilliant body characteristic of a well-settled Flanders Red. The head forms a modest tan collar that fades steadily, leaving fine lacing on the glass that tracks the beer's slow descent. Carbonation appears gentle and restrained, befitting the style's contemplative nature.

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with dark stone fruits—plum and cherry—backed by subtle oak notes from months of barrel aging. Beneath the fruit sits a base of caramel and biscuit malt, grounding the aromatics in a sweetness that balances the emerging tartness. A gentle funk surfaces on closer inspection, the signature of Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus working in quiet harmony.

◐ Taste

The palate enters with measured tartness and dark fruit character, the plum and cherry flavors unfolding across the mid-palate with support from toasted caramel notes. The sourness is restrained rather than aggressive, allowing the soft tannin structure from the wood to sit cleanly against the grain base. Brettanomyces adds a layered funkiness that avoids harshness, instead weaving complexity into each sip.

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and persistent, with tartness lingering gently alongside a whisper of oak tannin. The aftertaste remains dry and focused, inviting the next sip without fatigue.