Fern + Cedar Brewing Company: Green Mountain State NEIPA

Fern + Cedar Brewing Company: Green Mountain State NEIPA Review

Qualicum Beach has a new brewery called Fern and Cedar. Owned by the same people as Parkville’s Mount Arrowsmith Brewing, Fern and Cedar is custom built and opened in December of 2021. Wes Bain, the head brewer, was trained by Mount Arrowsmith’s well-respected head brewer, David Woodward. (David has recently left to brew at Rusted Rake in Nanoose Bay). Wes loves his hazy IPA’s and the love can be seen in Green Mountain State IPA, one of Fern and Cedars core lineup. 

Green Mountain State pours a  dark golden yellow with a medium head that lingers. On the nose, there is peach and mango with notes of lemon and blueberry. The carbonation is on the low end for the style. The palate is dry but with only a mild bitterness. The flavour is very juicy but less of the perceived sweetness of some hazies. The mild peach flavour also has notes of nectarine, dried rose, passion fruit, and pine. The 6.6% alcohol is hidden well beyond a little bite at the end. The dry body and juiciness without lots of sweetness make for a big quaffability to this beer. The finish is substantial with peach notes and a pinch of bitterness.