Beer of the Week: Hale’s Brewing Tres Fem

By Iron Chef Leftovers

I really liked Hale’s Tres Fem when I had it on tap at the Belgian Beer Festival in January, so I figured I would give it a shot in the bottle, since it is a much more convenient delivery format that getting a keg. Tres Fem is a collaboration beer between Kathleen Hale of Hale’s Ale and Jessica Husted and Reina Powers of Der Blokken Brewery. Belgian yeast blend, Saaz hops, 2-Row Pale Malt, Flaked Barley and Wheat Malt, and finally Tart Cherries make up this brew.

The beer pours with a slightly red, amber color, capped with a milky white head. Subtle hints of yeast and cherries are present on the nose and the initial taste was slightly sweet giving way to a dry palate followed by a pleasantly lingering finish of sour cherries. As the beer warms, it becomes creamy and sweet with a strong cherry flavor, but lacking some of the tartness that I initially loved in the beer. Overall, a wonderful drinking experience if you like cherry in your beer. I would recommend serving at 50 – 55 degrees to get a full appreciation for its range of flavors.

Rating – 4 Rainiers out of 5.