Spring 2025 - Elwha Spelt Pilsner
Hanabi Lager Co.

wonderful beer again from these guys, you get what you pay for. i love how intentional they are with their grain, spelt is cool for a pils like this, and the beer is subtly complex if you know what to look for, and i think the spelt is fabulous here, deeply earthy, spicy, and distinctive for this style, smart recipe and immaculate execution once again. not that this is really faded or anything, but i would have loved to have caught it just a bit fresher, i suspect some brightness has dropped just a bit. anyway, its got a lovely blonde color, close to clear, with a high and lasting inch plus of white head and visibly excited carbonation racing to join it, very pretty. the nose is herbal to me, mineral heavy, and just lightly toasted, hearty and earthy on the grain side with very little sweetness for being as malt forward as it is, the lager yeast is subtle but also identifiable, and the hops are old worldy and just there for balance, not super robust really, but pleasant anyway, dried flowers and maybe a dill note as it warms. the flavor of the grain at first is almost nutty, trace almond to me along with a clay-like minerality, light honey richness but fairly dry the whole way, especially on the swallow, light lemon and orange peel, a subtle almost rye spice element, unique husk or hull aspect to it, botanical freshness from the hops at the end gives it a lift, notes of things like wet stone, fresh rainfall, and even autumn leaves present, i know this is a spring release but its there. great texture here too, fuller feeling to match the flavor of the grain, dry though, and with rushing consistent carbonation that really picks it up, brilliantly well lagered even if the ferment isnt the interesting part of this. overall a lovely beer, a cool showcase of a grain more commonly found in saison types, but it sure works here too, understated but special, very drinkable.

Straw yellow in color and slightly cloudy. ice, thick, frothy white head. Nose is slightly zesty, think lemon but not very strong. Taste is similar to nose, lemony with a backside malt flavor. White peppery finish.

Clear, golden pour; beautiful streams of carbonation slowly rise in the glass; thick, frothy, sticky head, white and sculpted, very long-lasting; solid, dense rings of foam mark the glass. Sensuous aroma of delicate sweetness and kisses of light citrus; lemongrass and exotic tropical fruits; mystical hint of light grain. A delightful taste; gentle combinations of sweetness and delicate fruity esters; hint of lemon; faint cereal grain backbone; balanced note of quiet hop bitterness. Medium mouthfeel; soft and mildly dry; a hint of stickiness.

I am so glad to have ordered this beer. It's been a while since I got any Hanabi beers, and this one is a killer. Its easy going nature mates perfectly on a hot, humid August afternoon.

ABV: 5.1%; pouring temperature: 54.1 ℉; bottling info: Spring 2025
Source: Half Time