Jester King Singalong Deathmatch 750ML

Jester King Singalong Deathmatch 750ML is a 5.6% ABV farmhouse ale collaboration between Jester King Brewery and Germany's Freigeist Bierkultur. Scored 88 on BeerAdvocate, this limited release stands apart for its use of rosemary-smoked Texas wildflower honey and refermented Mexican plums — an unconventional grain bill of barley, wheat, and rye that pushes the farmhouse style into genuinely uncharted territory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.6%  |  IBU: 45  |  pH: 3.7  |  Origin: Austin, Texas  |  Style: Farmhouse Ale  |  Brewery: Jester King Brewery x Freigeist Bierkultur

Production & Heritage

Jester King Brewery, located on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country outside Austin, is one of America's most respected farmhouse ale producers, known for mixed-culture fermentation and locally sourced ingredients. For Singalong Deathmatch, they partnered with Freigeist Bierkultur, a German gypsy brewery celebrated for reviving obscure historical beer styles. The brew begins with a grain bill of barley, wheat, and rye, fermented in stainless steel before being naturally conditioned in the bottle. Prior to brew day, Texas wildflower honey was taken to Stiles Switch BBQ in Austin and smoked over rosemary sprigs, then added late in the boil. Mexican plums were de-pitted and pureed in-house, then refermented directly with the beer — a labor-intensive step that layers tart fruit character throughout.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a spicy, slightly smoky character, followed by pale malt sweetness and honey. Wild yeast funkiness comes through alongside blossoms and flowering herbs, with rosemary lingering at the edges.

Taste: Tart plum arrives first on the palate, giving way to an earthy, spicy maltiness at mid-palate. Moderate smoke and a woodsy quality frame the honey sweetness in the center, while green apple fruitiness and floral nuance add layers of complexity. The wild yeast funk runs through the entire progression, holding it all together.

Finish: A clean tang anchors the finish, with appreciable bitterness and fruity tannins that linger. The rosemary becomes most evident here, trailing off alongside dry smoke and a faint honey echo.

How to Drink Singalong Deathmatch

Pour into a tulip glass or wine goblet at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the complex aromatics open fully. This beer rewards patient sipping and evolves significantly as it warms. Michelada: the tart, smoky profile holds up against lime and hot sauce with surprising harmony. Shandy variation: a small pour of fresh lemonade amplifies the plum tartness without masking the funk. Beer cocktail with mezcal: a half-ounce of mezcal floated on top echoes and deepens the existing smoke character.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow farmhouse ale enthusiasts over a long dinner
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who values rare collaborations
• Pairing alongside a smoked meat or barbecue spread
• Adding to a curated tasting flight of American wild ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Singalong Deathmatch taste like? Singalong Deathmatch leads with tart plum and wild yeast funk, layered over smoky honey, earthy rye spice, and floral rosemary. It finishes dry and tangy with noticeable bitterness and fruity tannins.

How does Singalong Deathmatch compare to Jester King Saison Americaine? Saison Americaine is Jester King's year-round farmhouse reference point — clean, approachable, and hop-forward. Singalong Deathmatch is significantly more complex, adding smoked honey, Mexican plums, and a collaboration-driven grain bill that makes it a more limited and layered experience.

Is Singalong Deathmatch good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a contemplative, sipping-style farmhouse ale best enjoyed slowly from a tulip glass at cellar temperature, where its smoke, fruit, and funk evolve over time.

Where is Singalong Deathmatch made? Singalong Deathmatch is brewed at Jester King Brewery, located on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country just outside Austin, Texas, in collaboration with Germany-based Freigeist Bierkultur.

What foods pair well with Singalong Deathmatch? Smoked brisket mirrors the rosemary-smoked honey character. Aged gouda or gruyère complements the earthy malt. Stone fruit tarts echo the plum tartness. Charcuterie with grainy mustard plays off the rye spice. Herb-roasted chicken aligns with the floral and herbal aromatics.

What sizes does Singalong Deathmatch come in? Singalong Deathmatch is available in 750ml bottles, the standard format Jester King uses for its specialty and collaboration releases.

Is Singalong Deathmatch worth the price? Singalong Deathmatch positions as a premium limited-release collaboration ale, and its price reflects the labor-intensive production — hand-smoked honey, in-house fruit processing, and natural bottle conditioning. For fans of American farmhouse ales, the complexity and rarity justify the investment.

Why Singalong Deathmatch?

What separates this beer from the broader farmhouse category is the deliberate layering of local Texas ingredients — wildflower honey smoked over rosemary at a renowned Austin barbecue spot, and hand-processed Mexican plums refermented into the beer. The collaboration with Freigeist Bierkultur adds a European sensibility to Jester King's terroir-driven approach, resulting in a beer that is simultaneously rustic and intellectually engaging. With an 88 on BeerAdvocate and a 3.8 on Untappd from over 2,000 ratings, Singalong Deathmatch has earned consistent respect from the craft beer community. It remains one of Jester King's most distinctive one-off releases and a benchmark for what ingredient-driven farmhouse brewing can achieve.