Yet another tasty and interesting beer from Nashville’s Mantra Brewing is to be had in every bottle of Battleground Farmhouse Ale. This is, however, a little more than a saison. It’s a fusion of styles, farmhouse ale meets witbier of you will. The results are impressive, and the beer is light in body yet still bursting with flavor.
Mantra says:
Brewed with coriander and bitter orange peel, this crisp, effervescent ale is inspired by the epic Civil War battles that took place in Franklin, TN where it’s brewed. It features a pale golden hue with the body and esters of a classic wit. Drink this beer fresh.
Ingredients from the website:
Malts Pilsener, White wheat
Hops Perle, Czech Saaz
Other Bitter Orange Peel, Coriander
Yeast Belgian Wit, French Saison
Mantra Battleground Farmhouse Ale has an alcohol content of 5.1% by volume with 18 IBUs. I bought a single of this beer at Wild Hare Beer Company of Spring Hill, Tennessee. When I drank it, I wished I had more, although they did not have it in six-packs there. Total Wine sells it for $8.99 a six-pack, quite reasonable these days.
Mantra Battleground Farmhouse Ale pours to a hazy orange white color with a light wispy head and a soft coriander and citrus nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a light tart crackery wheaty flavor with hints of orange peel and coriander as one would expect in a wit, suddenly, unexpectedly, and pleasantly accented with green peppercorn notes and clove ala saison. The beer finishes with a slight sweet orange note and a wheaty tartness.
Mantra Battleground Farmhouse Ale is different and delicious. It isn’t, however, a battleground between witbier and saison, it’s a peaceful coexistence and even more a blessed union. Is it a saison? Or is it a witbier? Yes.
Try it. You’ll like it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft