Schlager Lager
Monkish Brewing Co.

Clear and bright yellow with a tall head of white, relatively large bubbles.

Smell is a bit potent, metallic, and even somewhat like citronella.

Taste doesn't stray too far from that, adding stale grapefruit.

Not a fan.

 

sexy hops in a german pils, not at all what i know this brewery for, these guys are the hop lords, but this is unique lager, really solid, old worldy at its core, but unique enough because of the hops that it stands out as distinctive from what is conventional, although yeah, it still drinks like a pils. it was a real privilege to get to drink some beers from these guys, wish i had better access to their impressive body of work! spalt, ariana, and callista are not the normal hops for something like this, but they are apparently german, and it makes sense, the result is fire! blonde beer with decent clarity and a very wispy white head on top an inch tall and relaxing only slowly. the nose is hoppy and fresh and softer than i normally think of from the hops that go in this type of pils, faint strawberry not quite ripe, straw in high summer, wheatgrass or some green healthy supplement, spirulina or something, spinach but not vegetal if such a thing is possible, elderflower, bee pollen, and familiar but also very fresh biscuity pils malt of the old world and crisping slightly doughy lager yeast, a mineral profile to support. amazingly, the flavor is nearly identical, maybe not over the top on the green elements, and i think somewhat restrained in terms of the perceived bitterness, but hop driven for sure, even though its balanced, and maybe it seems more that way because i am looking for it from these uncommon varietals. definite red fruit up front, more familiar noble type spice in the center, really good with the bright clean malt this is built on, and then more of the botanical and floral back end, subtle lime, white tea, and even jasmine or something. for how flavorful this is, its also pretty light and crushable, lesser medium body, great mineral composition, clean finish, upbeat carbonation, delicious and with a personality all of its own. i could drink this every day...