First Frost

Belgian Dark Strong

Fruspy (fruit, spice, yeast)

Persimmon (Diospyros Virginiana) — literally, “fruit of the gods.” Sweet and savory, with natural notes of cinnamon and apricot, the orange-globed persimmon fruit truly is heavenly. But it’s not until after the first frost that persimmon turns from astringent and bitter to a luscious fruit worthy of the gods.

Fullsteam's forager network supplies hundreds of pounds of native persimmons -- a bountiful yield that produces a complex, fruit-forward, award-winning winter ale. The beer’s notes of holiday spices come entirely from the native persimmon and the beer’s Belgian ale yeast.

North Carolina's first Good Food Award-winning beer back in 2013, and the brandy barrel-aged version of First Frost won in 2016. The Good Food Awards celebrates food and drink artisans that win in a blind tasting and meet rigorous environmental and social responsibility standards.

We've won seven Good Food Awards over the years. To date, Fullsteam remains the only North Carolina brewery to ever win in the Good Food Awards, joining other multiple Good Food Award winners like Jester King, Almanac, and Allagash.

Alc. By Vol.
8.1%
N.C. Malt
44%
To-Go Options
Drink It With
Soft cheeses, your fireplace
Grains Riverbend Malt House Chesapeake Pilsner, Locally malted barley (Dark Crystal), Locally malted barley (Olfaction), Locally malted barley (Icarus), Brewer's Malt, Locally malted barley (Ruby), Aromatic malt, Two-row brewer's malt
Hops Magnum
Yeast Omega Abbey
Other Locally foraged persimmons, Belgian candy sugar

Awards & Certifications

2016 Good Food Awards

Winner (Brandy Barrel First Frost)

2013 Good Food Awards

Winner

Silver, Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer (Brandy Barrel First Frost)

2015 European Beer Star

A

Locally foraged persimmons

B

Locally malted barley (Dark Crystal)

C

Locally malted barley (Icarus)

D

Locally malted barley (Olfaction)

E

Locally malted barley (Ruby)

F

Riverbend Malt House Chesapeake Pilsner