Crystal Apache
Ørkenoy

Pale canary yellow, hazed and shot through with finely beaded streams of rising CO2. Gratuitous billowing head of sudsy bubbles, chunky bits of lace. Two fingers of foam that rise above the rim momentarily. Second pour renders the surface in a meringue like texture.

Lemony botanical aroma, lime peel, high minerality, even faintly tropical. A typical malt forward lager this is not. Seems like it could be a blend of noble and/or NZ hops. Currant leaf probably adds some botanical character.

Lemony tang hits again, herbal grassy botanicals. Smooth with some hop bitterness in the dry aftertaste. Light and crisp, easy to sip or gulp. Moderate carbonation gives it a vaguely seltzery feel. The hop and (possibly) currant leaf character keeps things interesting, and the light malt base makes for easy drinking. I hope they keep this one in the rotation for warmer weather.

This would have been a good lager to have with lunch in any season... but I probably picked the worst one.

Crystal is a good-Looking lager; clear and an inviting foam. Smells are close to average, mostly malt. Tastes are balanced by their right choice of hops. (As for the "wild currant leaf", I'd like to know what I'm seeking.) Light in the mouth, but cleansing for the next bite of a sandwich.

I like Orkenoy lots... particularly how gifted they are in melding an interesting kitchen with their brewing. Despite having found them Christmas Eve Day, I've just reviewed all their beers on tap. So since I finished my Kalea Advent Calendar, Orkenoy slipped into the void and soon Christmastide is over. But, I will revisit them around Ground Hogs Day; providing the 606 is clear. By then, I hope their website gives me a little more insight into their beers... instead of telling funny stories about real or imagined pets.