Heavy Hangover | Hellfest I.P.A.

The Brewery, the Festival and the Birth of a Legend

Nestled in the rolling hills of Haut-Bocage Vendéen, between the storied landscapes of Puy du Fou and the vibrant ancient city of Nantes, Brasserie Mélusine has been a beacon of craft brewing tradition and innovation. Founded in 2001 and named after the legendary fairy of Poitou, the brewery’s journey is one of resilience and passion. Surviving early challenges, merging with the organic-focused Brasserie du Canardou, and steadily growing into the largest brewery in the Pays-de-la-Loire region, the craftbeer brewery stands tall in a landscape of wine adepts.

Mélusine is a family-run artisan Brewery, committed to pure, natural ingredients and authentic brewing methods, crafting beers that reflect the soul of their homeland.

But Brasserie Mélusine’s story is not just one of brewing, it is a tale of community and collaboration. In the heart of the French Vendée, situated just a half-hour from the raucous grounds of Hellfest, Mélusine found a kindred spirit in the world’s most iconic metal festival. Since 2006, Hellfest has drawn legions of fans to Clisson, uniting them under the banner of rock, punk, and extreme metal, and forging a culture that is as bold and unapologetic as the music itself. Fires blazing, rusty metal became tarnished, in the medieval town of Clisson. When Mélusine and Hellfest joined forces, it united the best of both worlds, it united cultures in its core: the meticulous craft of French brewing and the booming craftbeer market at the helm, and the raw, electric energy of the Hellfest festival.

THE RESULT? HELLFEST I.P.A.

A beer born from the desire to capture the spirit of the festival in every sip and accordingly capture the summer and spring vibes of the blazing sun overhead. Crafted with care by Mélusine’s brewers, this India Pale Ale is a tribute to the intensity, camaraderie, and joy of experiencing Hellfest. The label, designed by Mush, Hellfest’s own visual artist, serves as a badge of honor for festivalgoers and beer lovers alike. It’s a symbol of the union between music and craft, perfectly topping the beer’s attitude. With its radiant copper-gold hue aligns with the beer’s sunny shine and explosive tropical fruit aromas. The crisp, refreshing bitterness, and smashing after taste, make Hellfest I.P.A. is more than a drink. It is an experience, a celebration, and a journey straight to the heart of the festival.

From the quiet hills of Vendée to the roaring crowds of Clisson, Brasserie Mélusine and Hellfest have created something truly special: a beer that embodies the spirit of summer, the power of music, and the magic of coming together in unity. This is the story of Hellfest I.P.A.This is a tale of passion, collaboration, and the art of living loud.

Now, let the festival begin…

HELLFEST I.P.A.

Brasserie Mélusine

American-Style India Pale Ale

6.66% ABV

The sun is high, the festival grounds hum with anticipation. I’m sprawled out on a patch of grass, the distant growl of a bass line vibrating through the earth. Around me, the air is thick with the scent of grilling meat and the electric buzz of a thousand voices. I’m transported back immediately to my time in the medieval city of Clisson, on the plateau next to the river Loire.

My eyes land on a bottle; Hellfest I.P.A. from Brasserie Mélusine.
The presentation is well thought. A mesh of metal and style, both modern and classic. Its label a riot of metallic gold and ominous deep blacks, emblazoned with the festival’s unmistakable screaming logo in brass color. Below the festival logo, its beer style ‘IPA’ is printed in bold white open font, sides by the dogtag-styled HF logo and the hexagons stating its volume and alcohol percentage (ABV). Obviously, this ABV can be no more nor less than 6.66%!

Topping the festival logo is a row of the festival’s infamous H-logo, left to right and fading in the middle. The optical illusion of them fading in the distance in the middle adds to the graphics perfectly and looks to mime the endless rows of crosses on a cemetery. Next to the ominous crosses the sinister graphic of a praying clergy is featured in brass with silver highlights. Hands in praying manner in front, his head decayed, revealing his skull.

Below the IPA font, a branch with hop flowers emphasizes the beer style and its hoppy characteristics. The silver visual is atop an also praying maiden, again in brass, while on the side the label features the ingredients list, explanation of beer style and the introduction to the brewery (brasserie). The artwork is bold, almost defiant, a visual riff, a fist risen, punching the air. It’s a bottle that looks as wild as the crowd, promising adventure before the first sip.

HELLFEST 2009

I’m transported back to the sun-laden festival ground in 2009, the 4^th edition. Spending our summer vacation on the French Atlantic coastline, I was situated just 40 kilometers from the festival. This was a no-brainer!

Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi united forces with Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice reviving the Black Sabbath era with Ronnie fronting in Heaven & Hell, Mötley Crüe came out of Rehab to upset everyone once more, while newer and modern metal acts such as Papa Roach and Buckcherry roamed the stages. Blackie Lawless’ W.A.S.P. lit main stage 2 with fire, where Down, Entombed and Anthrax struggled to overpower avant-garde metallers VoiVod, and tried go down and dirtier than Nashville Pussy’s memorable performance. I spin ,,Children of the Sea” in honor of the mighty Dio and celebrate the legacy of the charismatic vocalist, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer only 2 months after the band’s inspiring and dazzling Hellfest performance.

I run my thumb along the cap, feeling the anticipation build. With my hand around the bottleneck, I press a lighter in-between my index finger and the cap. One quick burst of power, and the satisfying pop. The cap is lifted, the seal breaks, and a burst of hoppy, fruity aroma escapes, mingling with the festival air.

THE AROMA

The bottle seems to pulse with energy, as if it’s ready to explode with life. I pour slowly, watching the liquid cascade into my glass. It’s a radiant, coppery-blonde elixir, shimmering with golden highlights as the sunlight catches every bubble. The head is thick and creamy, pure white, clinging to the rim like a surging mosh pit crowd. The color is mesmerizing, much like liquid sunset in a glass, promising refreshment and excitement. I’m sold!

Bringing the glass to my nose, I inhale deeply. The aroma is a sensory overload of crisp summer vibes. Passionfruit, lemongrass and apricot, all swirling together in a heady bouquet. There’s a hint of melon, and a whisper of tropical fruit that reminds me of summer festivals and late-night concert adventures. The scent is so vivid, it’s as if I’m standing in front of the main stage, the air thick with anticipation and the promise of music to come. The speakers start to roar, crackling the sky with energy.

THE TASTE

I take my first sip, and the world around me fades. The beer is velvety, coating my tongue with a juicy, malted embrace. Biscuity malts are engrained in its body, which flourishes with waves of fruit. The taste is a parade of flavors, from fresh apricot and peach, mango, passionfruit, and a hint of melon, all dancing together in perfect harmony. The body is robust but not heavy, a perfect balance for a festival beer.

As the flavors unfold, a vibrant, fruity bitterness takes center stage, refreshing and invigorating, with a crisp finish that lingers just long enough to make me crave another sip. The interplay between malt sweetness, hop fruitiness, and a clean, slightly drying bitterness is masterful. The aftermath of the taste is excellent. Not too long, not short. This is a beer that demands attention, much like the festival’s headliners.

Around me, the music swells, and ,,Neon Knights” blazes. My eyes closed. The crowd roars, and the energy is electric. The beer’s crispness cuts through the summer heat, its vibrant color reflecting the festival’s energy.

FOOD PAIRING

I decide pairing the beer with spicy sate Ayam grill skewers, and a juicy Aberdeen Angus Beefburger topped with peppered cheese. The spices and greasy beef bring out the best in the bitterness of this crackling I.P.A. and I switch from the Black Sabbath – Dio classics to their 2009 release `The Devil You Know’ with my favourite track ,,Bible Black” adding to the luster of Hellfest’s I.P.A. apparel.

Come to think, possible wonderful pairings could be a plate of gambas with ginger or street food platters. For cheese lovers I suggest, powerful blues or a rich Munster as a possible match made in metal heaven! But hey: it’s all about personal taste… As the evening stretches, I find myself reaching for another bottle, each sip a reminder of why I love summer festivals and craft beer.

HELLFEST I.P.A. – THE CONCLUSION

Hellfest I.P.A. is more than just a drink, it’s a sensory journey, a celebration of summer, music, and community. From its bold, festival-ready presentation to its mesmerizing pour, its intoxicating aroma, and its complex, satisfying taste, every aspect is designed to transport you to the heart of Hellfest. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or headbanging in the pit, this beer is the ultimate companion for metalheads and beer lovers alike.

So, here’s to Hellfest I.P.A.: may it fuel your adventures, soundtrack your summer, and remind you that sometimes, the best moments in life are found with a cold beer in hand and the roar of the crowd in your ears. Make sure you catch the spirit and embrace life, enjoying music live. Cheers, and hail to Hellfest!  \m/

Photos by Edwin van Hoof