Festina Lente 2019

American Wild Ale

Originally brewed back in 2003, Festina Lente was our first adventure into the world of sour and wild ales. Much like all of the other ales we’ve produced, Festina Lente had (and still has) the same culinary mindset present in the ethos of Dogfish Head. The original release was brewed with 400 pounds of local peaches from Fifer Orchard in central Delaware, aged on oak, then bottle-conditioned in champagne bottles. However, it didn’t see the light of day until the Great American Beer Festival in 2006 where it was awarded a bronze medal in the Belgian-style sour ale category. For this release, our brewers took the same thoughtful approach. Locally grown hops and malt, fermented with both Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus, aged for 18 months in freshly emptied chardonnay barrels, and then finally finished on over 2,700 pounds of fresh Delaware peaches from Fifer's. Yes … 2,700 pounds. The result is a tart and delicate American wild ale with a bright and effervescent carbonation. Perfect to enjoy now, or several years down the road.

ABV

6.5

Rating

4.10365

Rating count

754

Last updated

almost 5 years ago

 
4.0

12 months ago

 
4.5

about 1 year ago

 
4.5

about 1 year ago

 
4.25

about 1 year ago

 

Nathan Medwig

A solid sour overall. Slight funk and peach notes at the back end.

4.0

over 1 year ago

 

John Paradee

Yesterday’s Rineer Family Xmas Party.

4.5

over 1 year ago

 
4.0

No checkin location

over 1 year ago

 

Don B

Tart, light, peach fruit. and crisp- reminded me of Sauvignon blanc. Someone else said it reminded them of yogurt- which is unique, and interestingly accurate. Super way to start the evening.

4.5

No checkin location

almost 2 years ago

 

Greg Williams

Definitely wild. This might have been a little past it's prime. Not getting much peach. Drinks more like kombucha than an ale. Highly acidic.

3.25

almost 2 years ago

 

Dan Aker

Let’s go Ravens!

4.75

No checkin location

almost 2 years ago

 
3.25

almost 2 years ago

 
3.25

almost 2 years ago

 
4.0

No checkin location

almost 2 years ago

 

Andrew Chiccini

Waiting out the storm!

4.5

almost 2 years ago

 
4.25

almost 2 years ago

 

Tonights BeerIs

Super acidic and dry. Decent amount of funk too. More acid than I prefer but everything else is great. Peach, peach skin, funk, leather, white wine, oak, yogurt like sourness, and hints of barnyard and cheese. Crystal clear, sparkling light gold.

4.25

almost 2 years ago

 

Guy Miller

Still tart though the acidity has faded some.

0.0

almost 2 years ago

 

Matt S

Festive

3.0

almost 2 years ago

 
3.0

No checkin location

almost 2 years ago

 
3.0

No checkin location

almost 2 years ago

 

Paul Snyder

Delaware peaches

4.25

almost 2 years ago

 

Doug

Cellared since I bought this in Rehoboth last summer because I couldn’t find a reason to open it yet. Incredible boozy smell with a crisp finish. The carbonation reminded me of a champagne.

4.5

about 2 years ago

 
4.75

over 2 years ago

 
3.5

No checkin location

over 2 years ago

 
0.0

over 2 years ago

 
3.75

over 2 years ago

 
4.0

over 2 years ago

 
4.25

No checkin location

over 2 years ago

 
4.0

No checkin location

over 2 years ago

 
4.0

No checkin location

over 2 years ago

 
4.0

No checkin location

over 2 years ago

 
4.0

over 2 years ago

 

Jason Scofi

Astonishingly good

4.5

No checkin location

over 2 years ago

 
4.75

almost 3 years ago

 

Gabe Lopez

wild sour. was pretty good

4.0

No checkin location

almost 3 years ago

 
4.25

No checkin location

almost 3 years ago

 

Nick D

Sharp tart n peachy

4.0

almost 3 years ago

 
4.25

almost 3 years ago

 

Jerry

Happy Birthday to me

3.75

almost 3 years ago

 
4.75

almost 3 years ago

 
3.75

almost 3 years ago

 
3.5

about 3 years ago

 

Brent Taggart

Brew day

4.0

No checkin location

about 3 years ago

 

Neal Steffin

Very nice wild ale. Nice tart up front with a fruit finish.

4.0

about 3 years ago

 
4.0

about 3 years ago

 
4.25

No checkin location

over 3 years ago

 
4.0

No checkin location

over 3 years ago

 
0.0

over 3 years ago

 
0.0

over 3 years ago

 

Devin m.

Finally getting to try this. Glad this was made again

4.0

No checkin location

over 3 years ago

 
4.25

over 3 years ago

 
4.75

over 3 years ago

 

Chris Paul

Back porch sipping weather

4.25

over 3 years ago

 
0.0

over 3 years ago

 
4.25

No checkin location

over 3 years ago

 
4.25

over 3 years ago

 
4.0

over 3 years ago

 
3.5

over 3 years ago

 
3.5

over 3 years ago

 

Julia K.

Really pleasant. Happy Solstice!

4.25

No checkin location

over 3 years ago

 

Christopher Rogers

Wild, tart and a bit sweet. Peaches to follow.

3.0

over 3 years ago

 

Adam B

Release #008…thanks for the bottle AW..nice funky barnyard peach aroma, solid tartness going down, pleasantly surprised by this..peaches from Bennett’s?

4.25

over 3 years ago

 
0.0

over 3 years ago

 
4.0

over 3 years ago

 
0.0

over 3 years ago

 
4.25

over 3 years ago

 

Tony H

Bright peachy acidity in the aroma. Thicker barnyard flavor. Great balanced finish.

0.0

over 3 years ago

 
0.0

over 3 years ago

 
4.25

No checkin location

over 3 years ago

 

MikeG

FLN

4.0

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 

Benjamin Carstens

The true champagne of beers

5.0

almost 4 years ago

 
4.5

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 
0.0

almost 4 years ago

 
4.25

almost 4 years ago

 
4.0

almost 4 years ago

 
4.25

almost 4 years ago

 
4.0

almost 4 years ago

 

Vincent Prinzivalli

Light, peach, floral, mildly tart. Aged in Chardonnay barrels. A sophisticated sipper!

4.5

almost 4 years ago

 
4.75

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 

Matt S.

Fruity, tart, earthy spice-ish sorta note on the back. Pretty cool 👍🏻

4.0

almost 4 years ago

 

Mike M.

Sour notes sit wonderfully with an outdoor dinner. Well balanced, not too acidic.

4.25

almost 4 years ago

 
4.75

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 

Charlie Cook

Thanks Brandon .!

0.0

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 

M Moses

Sour

3.0

almost 4 years ago

 
5.0

almost 4 years ago

 
0.0

almost 4 years ago

 

Hot Sauce Steve

Thanks Jay!

4.0

almost 4 years ago

 
4.0

almost 4 years ago

 

Hazy S.

Tart peach Chardonnay

4.5

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 
4.5

No checkin location

almost 4 years ago

 
4.0

almost 4 years ago

 
4.25

almost 4 years ago

 
3.5

almost 4 years ago

 

Kyle Norman

No longer in production, darn. Good beer.

4.25

about 4 years ago

 
4.5

about 4 years ago

 
4.75

No checkin location

about 4 years ago

 
4.75

about 4 years ago

 
4.5

about 4 years ago

 

Matty Slebzak

LCI 2/12

4.25

about 4 years ago

 

William C.

Super sour to start. But then again we were re-eating super sweet wedding cake right before I tried it! I like

4.25

about 4 years ago