Chicagoland Lagers (2022)

I had the Hopewell / Goldfinger collaboration India pale lager this week. This style can be a bit too sharp to me, with pine-y notes and lager carbonation being a bit abrasive.

That's not the case with Not That Far; the hops impart more of a soft melon flavor that bring a lot of balance to the brew. Recommended!!

 

Does the lager yeast come through? That’s my biggest complaint with the style these days, they come off more like fruity, hoppy pale ales. I love when it’s balanced better with the crackery, bready yeast notes. Your melon comment makes me think it won’t be up my alley though.

 

There's a dryness (NOT bitter, just dry) fom the yeast that reminds you this is a lager. If anything, if it were a pine bomb it would be TOO dry; that's why the melon collaborating with the dry yeast notes work harmoniously.

It's not going to make you swear off Pilsners, by any means, but it's not just an IPA / pale ale. I got it as a single, which worked perfectly for me; if you can only purchase as a 4 pack and you don't love the style, I can't say it's a must-have.

 

Here at Goldfinger with the wife before picking up kiddos. Hotter than Satan’s taint but Italian Pilsner makes that palatable.

 

Considering a stop.

 

At Goldfinger. I am liking the Italian Pils better than the Pre-prohibition lager. That Italian Pils is just crazy good.

 

I think he left.

 

Glad you liked the beer.

And the goal is not to get you to swear off Pilsners! Our Lupo Lagers are about exploring the limits and possibilities of hop character in the context of a lager fermentation and extended cold-conditioning in the tank. The lack of fruity esters that come along with ale fermentations allow for the hop character to be incredibly succinct and clear. The challenge is that not all hops should be given that sense of clarity; some very much need that supporting ale fermentation to be a complete and balanced drinking experience. So part of the fun is thinking long and hard about the hops we use in Lupo Lagers, and using previous batches to inform each subsequent one.

We have another Lupo Lager coming out this month, called And Now. It’ll be much higher ABV at 7.1, and will drink very closely to a West Coast IPA, but even cleaner with that lager ferment.

Of course, if hopped up lagers aren’t your thing, we do all kinds of traditional interpretations. I am obviously very biased since I’ve worked there for many years, but I recommend re-visiting what we’re doing if it’s been a minute. I will put ours up against any in Chicagoland ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

IPL's (for lack of a better term) aren't always my favorite, but in general I love the broad genre of lagers. I really enjoyed this one & I'll look for more of yours moving forward!

 

Send more north!

Please?

 

Is he?

 

Oktoberfest beers (both Marzens and Festbiers) are starting to drop. Today at Bottles & Cans I grabbed singles from Off Color, Maplewood, Roaring Table and Half Acre. Plenty more to come, I'm sure...

 

Grabbed RT, Lakefront, and Paulaner Fest 2 weeks ago -- and Paulaner & H-P Märzen, Bitburger, and a few others were available then.

Are the Northern 'burbs actually getting beers sooner than everywhere else now? Say it ain't so!

Oh yeah, but no Spaten or HB yet.

Anyone know if More is going to make an Oktoberfest or Festbier?

 

More Huntley had an Oktoberfest on tap when I was there last Saturday; quite enjoyed it!

 

Seen in Binnys as of yesterday...