Thunder Feather
Mad Swede Brewing Company

 

they called this experimental on their menu for some reason, but it seems rather standard, albeit awfully light. either way it was cool to see a couple of new beers from these guys on the menu, feels like its been the same bag of tricks for a long while, so i was pleased with the innovation. this is a ripper, needed next to their very robust coffee stout. perhaps there is a new school or slightly unconventional hop note late, if i let there be, but if its there its mighty subtle, certainly not a major identifier of this. its golden and clear, looks great in the glass with decent shine and a rising white head, nice lace as it drinks. the nose is mineral forward, crackery and clean on the malt, a little brassy to me, light lime leaf and citrus on the finish, low bitterness, very dry, and with a somewhat minimal and familiar european lager yeast strain, but its rightly deployed here. the flavor lines up with the smell, light on the hops but slightly distinct, with lemongrass and white tea notes, middle of the road bitterness, but it pops because its so dry. i love how light the malt is in this, but how its not just a flavorless american lager profile, its still got character, crispy, cereal dust, its fresh too, very good. high carbonation and very refreshing overall, flavorful enough for cold weather but definite summer vibes here too. something about mad swede beers usually fills me up, even when they are kind of light, not sure if its their yeast or their water chemistry or what, but this is one of the lightest ones yet, and its not a compromise in any way. really well done.

Draft at downtown brewhall. Clear, bright golden with a creamy white head. Grainy, biscuity aroma. Taste weak malty flavors, but the hop finish distracts you from that. Feels a bit watery.