Summer 2021
Hanabi Lager Co.

my first from these guys, never even heard of them before i saw this bottle. i think it makes sense to have a high end and even artsy lager company out in napa, fits the vibe for sure and there is no denying the quality here, but 19 bucks for a bottle of this stuff at a bottle shop is a joke, nothing about the drinking experience at all would value it there, good and well refined as it is, cant even believe this pricing, i assumed wood aged or brett lager when i picked it up without checking the details based on price and packaging, but this appears to be straight up helles. summer 2021 vintage. i appreciate the quality no doubt, and this does have some nuance, a special barley malt, and a lot of character. deeper than blonde in color, high white headed and looking bottle conditioned and unfiltered but still well refined. aroma and flavor of high mineral barley, subtle yet floral yeast, and a nice lagering process that lends crispness and dryness and refreshment value to the beer, enriched and sturdy on the grain side, wrinkles of honey and dried flowers, toasted bread, light copper minerality, and to me even the faintest rustic funk about it, maybe just a subtle ester, white pepper, poached pear, dried apricot. its long but its also quick, like it has layers and evolution but its also just about gone on the swallow and with the rushing carbonation moves through its progression rather swiftly. i like the grain and yeast together here and this definitely stands out from the crowd, definitely drinks less german than the examples of helles we began the night with, but in no ways missing an identity. this is impressive beer, and if i take price out of it im frankly in love with it and awfully curious about more beers from hanabi. the texture rules too, fuller feeling but still light enough to really drink, and the tiny bubbles popping off give it almost saison vibes. pastoral, agriculture driven, and wonderfully composed. freshness is not an issue in the slightest here despite its age.

Very clear, light to medium gold colored body; nice carbonation; thick and frothy head, white and sticky. Sweet and floral aroma; melon; faint trace of lightly toasted grain. Outstanding toasted grain and honey flavor; slowly developing, ultimately moderate hop bitterness; peppery. Medium body; mildly coarse; nice overall brightness to the feel.

This is another fine offering from a small brewery. The beer itself is well-rounded and quite satisfying with a nice low ABV character.

Poured at 47° F.; additional bottle label info: BREWED FOR THE WILD ROSES · LET THE SPARKS FLY