U-9 Lager
Wren House Brewing Co.

December 2020 was when this beer made it to me. Damn Arizona has some good lagers = my summary of 2020.

Pours a bright yellow with light cloudiness to it. There is wheat and shit here, so that can muddy the waters. This hit the full one inch of white head and good retention aspect. The aroma is nice kicking a lager yeast first, and then a light hop bill after the yeast hits you good and strong. The wheat is noticeable as a small percentage of the malt bill. The hops are both grapefruit rind, pine and muted orange. Thankfully, all of that is secondary to the lager yeast smell.

Taste keeps the fun train running, dry lager yeast and body make for a crisp, brisk experience, there is a variety of hops, but they don't go outside their bittering and mild taste roles here. They contribute a positive. The wheat gives a light flip of the pillow sawftness.

The head is 1" tall and you can't, teach, that. Just another really good lager out of Wren House and the State of Arizona.

 

Color is mildly hazy wheat straw with a fluffy, white, one finger head. Great head retention and moderate lacing.

Agitation of the beer presents a lightly citrusy, dank smell of hops. Reminiscent of a classic West Coast IPA.

The light dry hopping is obvious in this one. So much so that I was surprised this is a lager. The hoppiness fades somewhat, revealing more of a malty lager character. Light bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit lingers on the palate.

Moderate carbonation and thickness produce pleasant smoothness. Certainly a good session beer.

Surprised as I was by the hoppiness of this lager, it was nonetheless a very enjoyable experience. Their promotion of Audubon and Wild at Heart's local burrowing owl project is well presented with the label and brief description of the project. U-9 is a distinctive individual at one of their sites.