Maryensztadt Freeky APA

Browar Maryensztadt is a Polish brewer based near the capital Warsaw. Founded in 2015, they are a craft microbrewery with over 150 beers under their belts according to their Untappd profile. A great deal of these are north of 9% ABV, due to the brewer’s interest in experimenting with Imperial stouts and porters, and double IPAs; included in this list are such rarities as a barrel aged Nitro Ice Cherry Barley Wine, a Coffee and Chocolate Russian Imperial Stout and a Blueberry and Chocolate Cookies Russian Imperial Stout. However, it’s not all literal rocket fuel coming out of the doors of the Zwoleń-based brewer – they also offer a handful of nolo beers to please we lightweight non-drinkers.

Maryensztadt Freeky APA is, as the title suggests, an American-style pale ale brewed with Cascade and Mosaic hops. Stalwarts of the typical APA, this pair complement each other admirably, imparting citrus aromas and bitterness, and piney mango respectively. Poland has a good track record of thick, fruity and bitter pale ales and IPAs, mainly thanks to Browar Maryensztadt’s countrymate Browar Funky Fluid. The two brewers also share the same design company, thirst.pl –  though I would say that Maryensztadt’s cans show a more elegant restraint to them. What matters overall though is the content of said cans, so lets crack open this 440ml and get sampling.

The beer pours a hazy pale golden colour, producing a small frothy head as it hits the glass, which recedes to mere patches of bubbles, but does leave lacing as we drink. The nose is a mix of lemon citrus and fruity tropical aromas. A light background of malt sweetness is also apparent. It’s certainly piquing the interests of my taste buds.

On tasting we’re greeted with a light pine bitterness, which is almost immediately tempered by even lighter malt sweetness. While bitterness remains at the front, we’re also treated to fruity tropical flavours, lychee and mango discernible, and some almost floral background aromas. There’s also something else in there, earthy perhaps, that I can’t quite put my finger on (*Edit: on subsequent tasting I think it’s oak*). The carbonation is light whilst the body is medium, with a lovely smooth mouthfeel. We get a long bitter finish to the drink.

Maryensztadt Freeky APA ticks a lot of boxes for me – appetising aroma, well balanced bitterness, little sweetness, pleasing fruity flavours, satisfying drinking experience. A drink for either a refreshing session on a hot afternoon or savouring with food on an evening. This is sure to be liked by a wide range of nolo drinkers.

Buy Maryensztadt Freeky APA

Browar Maryensztadt’s beers might be tricky to get ahold of outside of their native Poland, though the following online stores do a good job of importing Freeky APA and others:

Nutritional Information (per 100ml, taken from the side of the bottle)
ABV	0.5%
Energy	21 kcal
Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	6.2g
Sugar	2.4g
Protein	<0.5g
Ingredients
Water, Barley Malts, Hops, Yeast
Additional Information
Country of Production	Poland
Brewer	Browar Maryensztadt – http://www.browarmaryensztadt.pl/en
Gluten Free?	No
Vegan Friendly?	No