Lager Series Vol. 1: Winter Lager
Western Collective

tasty stuff, cool they are launching a lager series, seems they continue to mature and make cool choices, these guys have really turned a corner. this is fairly dark in the glass, brown to me, with well over an inch of fizzy lasting tan head. smells lightly spiced, softly german on the grain side, bready and hearty, also quite festive, almost cola-esque to me. right away i get light citrus, clean vanilla, date and fig and raisin, rum and candied fruit, maybe even a black pepper note, rather dynamic and appealing, sweet new oak too. interestingly, its also still quite obviously a lager when i get to drinking it, the yeast is bready and slightly european to me, i get just enough of it, and it dries this out real well for how robust and almost desserty it is in the middle, nice. i like the subtle complexity this has, definitely wintery, but not specifically christmas, like this still hits for me in february. a chocolate note, some dark bread, cherry and raisin, warming but not heavy to drink, in fact with spritzing carbonation its really lively, and the citrus element gives it life too. smooth and distinctive, i hope this returns next winter, i like it a lot!

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Dark, dark brown pour, fizzy beige head. Aroma is winter spice, cinnamon, nutmeg. Taste features more of the savory spices with the addition of some sweetness. Pretty average.