Hüftgold
Mile Wide Beer Co.

In true southern German fashion, the Mile Wide team hits summer with a light, crisp and effortless lager that's meant to imitate the ease of American industrial lagers, except with the quality, subtle complexity and pride that's more common in Bavarian beer culture.

Huftgold pours its promising golden color but captured by an uncommon haze. Frothy and airy, the beer's pilowy froth leads to a flowery hop scent with the essence of honeysuckle, cereal and a pep of lemongrass. Bready, malty sweet and simple, the beer's grain influence is raw, pale and slightly doughy.

As the middle palate unfolds, the beer's malt character develops into taste of soft croissant and honey smacks simplicity. Floral hops turn from honeysuckle toward a balancing bitterness that invites a spice of lemon pepper and lemongrass and to pull slightly ahead of the hops. Mild sulfur comes with a hint of match sticks to scrub the thirst and offer a crispness to the finish.

Medium light in body, the beer retains a bready structure as well as taste and gives the beer a heft that's more associated with northern German lager. But this lighter cousin beer would come as a great accompaniment to Bavarian pretzels and spicy mustard.