Zwick'l Lager
Future Primitive Brewing Company

after loving their pils i had real high hopes for this one, in a style i really dig too, but it didnt quite turn me on the same way. instead it felt overly malty, a little estery for lager yeast, and while interesting, not quite as drinkable or compelling from a quality standpoint as their impressive german pils. bronze in the glass with a full inch of delicate white head on it, nice clarity and shine, but a little weirdness in the ferment on the nose, not stressed yeast or anything, but like it was done warmer, less crisp, less long lagered cleanness and brightness, and a soft earthy spiciness in the malt base along with some toasted sweetness, continental but no more regionally specific to me than that. sweet through most of it but not overly so, good malt richness, some nuttiness too, but light in body all the way, vienna style, with the lager yeast taking on bready and slight banana notes later on, minerals all through it but maybe a little metallic too, not as clean as it could be, very little hops which is fine for the style obviously. good carbonation and it drinks lighter than it looks, but im not in love with the fermentation here and it just doesnt feel as dialed. fine pizza swill but not one of the more impressive beers i had from these guys while i was in town.

This may be unfiltered but it pours clear amber with plenty of foam in the Stella Artois goblet. Spritzy on the tongue. Aroma of bread, straw, alfalfa, and a spicy note. Warm and malty taste with some hints of roasted grain. Herbal notes as you sip and the hops emerge.

Hops are listed as Hersbrucker and Mittelfruh. Starts with just a slight bitter tang but develops into pencil shavings and a robust bitterness in the aftertaste. Overall this is highly quaffable. Quite flavorful and mouth-filling. From the 16 oz can purchased at Elizabeth Station.